Early July Update

First post for July showing some of the happenings around on the "Clair". While work did not progress as quickly as I had hoped.... life happens a.k.a. sometimes you just get exhausted having a toddler and no matter how tempting the train room is with all of the beckoning projects sometimes my eyelids win.

But what progress made was keeps pushing the layout in the right direction of getting finished and closer and closer to scenery. Notably Main Track 2 (Concrete Ties) continues to progress towards the WSS (West Siding Switch) where it ties back into Main Track 1. I had originally planned foam board based scenery for the area between MT 1 and the backdrop, and do not want to fill every single area with track but based on the mini-operating session this extra main which could be used for run-arounds, meets, and or holding trains was critical. Even with the additional track just out of picture is a good 2-3 inches of space that will be scenic'd along with this 1.5 inch area you see in the picture below.

Sceniking Backdrops and static grass on a 1 inch foam base will fill the gap between the tracks and backdrop on the east end of Bay Yard.  

Switch on MT2 in the background leads off to the East Industrial Spur which will serve Northern Arrow Logistics and Huron Milling. You can see from the picture the lightweight / simplistic nature of the upper level benchwork.

The Bay Yard east end ongoing work is to add operational interest to my next operating session. Finally my operators will have a customer to switch - Lakes Forest Products. All of the siding switches were cut in as mainline line was laid but the focus has been on getting trains running versus just switching.

A centerbeam flat spotted at Lakes Forest Products awaits pickup for return back to Montana for another load of lumber. Trackwork will be embeded in concrete (Sheet Styrene) since it is on N scale cork with the area around it HO scale cork sheets. 

Updated view of Chessie Junction. Foreground track is East Yard Lead follow by Main Track 1, Main Track 2, and LSRC Connection (not connected). You can see the switch and spur for Lakes Forest Products just below the caulk gun.
For readers who are keen they will realize the switch and low relief warehouse is gone. I felt that the scene was over-loaded and decided to move the warehouse over to the East Industrial Spur next to Huron Milling. This area will only host scenery to help balance the amount of trackwork.

Be sure to check out my second post published today showcasing the MCIS network map.

GM

Mid June Update #2

Update on new MT2 at Bay City / Bay Yard.

East end switches and track are in place, with a few small roadbed pieces to add this weekend.

West looking shot from M-13 overpass.

L to R: yard lead, MT1, MT2 and the newly added DTMF (finger) controlled Peco switch.

East view showing switch that leads to Northern Arrow Logistics and Lake State Railway Interchange. This track also is the lower level continuous run.

Close-up looking west again. I love Peco code 83 turnouts, atlas flex track, and Walthers rail joiners. I have a great backdrop from Sceniking for this curved area that is close to the tracks.

Thanks for checking out the update, should have tracks in service by next week.

GM

Mid June Update

Quick update on the "Clair".

After last weekends very successful mini-ops session, I have been in full swing to get it ready for its first full operating session. Not only are the many things happening on the layout but I am also building JMRI Operations as my car routing program.

DTC Signs

Following how the Alaska Railroad dispatches the railroad is broken up into segments that are identified by high visibility green. More on the details behind this setup, but luckily the dispatching board, signs, and cards are ready.

M-BAPH leaving "UPPE" block heading for "LACE" block at Upper Huron.

All three DTC block signs at Upper Huron east switch. As you can see one block ends and the other two blocks (main and diverging) begin after the switch. 

Motive Power 

The lone GP60 on roster MCIS 6051 made an appearance at the Bay Yard DSF while laying over between runs. This unit normally runs the M-GRTO but with the 4 ACe's on the road it now finds itself traveling the network working with SD and GP40-2s.

MCIS GP60 6051 -  yes those are "shoving platforms" to the left of the diesel service facility. 

Capital Improvements

After the operating session closer evaluation noted that the industry run around siding at Bay Yard off the main would make an excellent candidate for 2nd main track through the yard. Capital gangs wrapping up at Upper Huron have now moved down to Bay City / Bay Yard to lay concrete ties and rail.

East end of yard (L to R - East Yard Lead, Main Track 1, and beginning of Main Track 2)

West End of yard (L to R - Main Track 2 *Yellow Tack*, Main Track 1, Bay Yard)

Operations

Few photos of M-BAPH passing through Upper Huron. Affectionally known as the tank train as it normally carries a mix of tanks coming out of Dow and empty LPG and Ethanol cars returning to Port Huron.

M-BAPH in the curves at Upper Huron with MCIS 4035 (EMD GP40X) leading.

Tank Cars as far as you can see over the pink waste land.... ground cover cannot come soon enough.

Caught this from overhead - rear of train making its way into the West Siding Switch at Grays Lake. 

Stay tuned for more

End of May Update

Well June is almost upon us and the capital maintenance gangs are out in full force on the "Clair". This past week the gangs wrapped up laying track on the storage siding between Grays Lake and Buhler. This siding is used for setting out or picking up cars from manifest freights for the Grays Lake Switcher (L-GLBU).

Storage track with cut of cars left by Grays Lake Switcher for pickup.

The gangs were also working on the Upper Huron Wye. Focus for the project was to broaden the curve radius more originally built. While working the west leg, the gangs also rebuilt the east leg including a new switch and lead for the Sugar Beet / Cogeneration plant.

This morning was the first enroute pickup made at Gray's Lake, MI utilizing the new trackwork recently installed. The M-PHBA-31 made the headend fill. 

Everyone have a safe summer, stay tuned for another post next week on Upper Huron trackwork.

GM