Railroad Overview and Trackplan

This being the first ever post, I wanted to start by introducing the railroad (trackplan, prototype, general scheme). The railroad is formally known as the Union Pacific Cascade Subdivision. It will be (once construction on the new house is completed) an HO scale representation of the Union Pacific's line from Eugene to Klamath Falls.  The layout will be 12ft and 16ft featuring 3-4 decks, depending on how one counts, with a 3 turn helix between the second and third level.  The line is at a continuous grade of 2.5% except in Oakridge where the grade levels out and at the passing siding located at Fields where it flattens to 1.25%.  The design was done entirely by Bob Sprague and I can not thank him enough for his help and expertise.  I am honored that he was willing to help.  Check out his railroad and trackplans at http://www.annapolisjunctionrr.com/.

Below is the Trackplan starting with the lowest deck (Eugene staging) and working up to the highest (Klammath Falls staging)








The last image is of the cross section of the layout for reference.


The operating scheme will follow relatively close to the prototype but manned helpers will be added for operational interest.  Also a local will work out of Oakridge serving the Pope and Talbot Lumber Company and the industry at Westfir. The single spur in Westfir will most likely serve a warehouse of some sort.  The Oakridge Local may also make a run "down" to Eugene staging to swap cars.  Through trains will all use helpers which will be stationed at Oakridge. Mixed freight, intermodal, and grain trains will all frequent the route.  During the winter months a plow crew will run out of Oakridge, up the hill, turn on the balloon track at Klammath Falls, and return down the hill.  Other MOW trains will be added for operational interest. A northbound and southbound Amtrak Coast Starlight will also make its way up and down the hill.

The layout will be run using Digitrax DCC.  Most of the engines will have sound and Soundtraxx's new sound cars will definitely be making appearances once the line is operational. The plan is for complete CTC control by a dispatcher in the adjacent room.  He will have a  monitor and radio to communicate with crews.  Car forwarding will be done with JMRI operations.

This is just the start of a great project,  I will keep posting on small weathering and detailing I am working on in order to upgrade the fleet.  Stay Tuned!! Expect more layout progress throughout the summer.  Thank you for taking an interest. I hope you enjoyed it.