Up the Hill -- Track and Wiring

After the spline roadbed had been installed and secured, I moved to installing track on the mainline from Wicopee (top of the helix) to just short of the summit of the climb. I use Micro Engineering code 83 flextrack and Fasttracks #6 turnouts for my turnouts. I had built the turnouts previously which sped up the track laying process considerably. Additionally I had "pre-wired" the entire upper deck, making installation of feeders and supplying power to the track a faster process. 

Above: Trackwork installed at the turnback at the top of the helix. Two tunnels in this scene will hide the tighter radius. Additional fascia work to come soon to give this scene at the entrance a much more presentable look.

Above: The East (North) end of the siding at Fields. Still need to install the track on the siding, but this spot promises to be quite a busy place for meets during operation as 1 of 2 passing sidings on the line. 

Above: The wiring at the West (South) end of the Fields Siding. With turnout control, signalling wires, and LED layout lighting for the below deck to come it is important to keep wiring neat and organized with zip ties. The red bus wires are for the detection zones. 

Above: Looking downhill from Noisy Creek (future site). With scenery terrain and fascia I will be much more comfortable running trains on the narrow splines. Right now it feels quite precarious. 

Above: Passing siding at Fields installed. 

Above: Looking downhill from Tunnel 4. Trees and rocks will dominate this portion of the run.

Above: Trackwork complete on visible portion of the mainline into Klamath Falls. This upper staging yard and summit sit almost 7 ft. off the basement floor and this shot offers a good perspective of the climb that is traversed from the lower level (seen in bottom of photo).

Following MEUKF 

Having completed its work in Oakridge, daily mixed freight MEUKF waits on the Oakridge passing siding for clearance to proceed up the hill on its way to Klamath Falls. This daily freight services Oakridge dropping off empties for Pope & Talbot Mill and picking up loads for destinations south. It's sister train MKFEU does the same in the opposite direction. 

After receiving clearance the locomotives flex their muscles climbing through Wicopee at the top of the helix. This train was short enough to not require helpers today, however most freights out of Oakridge will.

MEUKF is in the hole again at Fields waiting for a northbound priority freight from Roseville. On the grade, downhill trains are given priority. (Our train will remain in the hole until trackwork to Klamath Falls is completed!)