Layout down for expansion

I have been pondering expanding the layout for a few years now.  This involves tearing out the existing staging yard, and expanding into another room.  Roanoke, IL will also have to be moved to be able to insert the missing Eureka, IL on the TP&W, and to insert east staging for the TP&W.  I have decided to do a helix and an upper level over part of the layout to be able to fully model all 57 miles of the Pekin branch.

New/moved on the lower level:

• Eureka, IL on the TP&W.  ATSF has trackage rights on the TP&W, and interchanges with them here.
• TP&W east staging.
• Roanoke, IL moved from current location.
• Benson, IL.

New on the upper level:

• Minonk, IL.  Interchange with IC charter line.
• Dana, IL.
• Long Point, IL.
• ATSF staging (Streator, IL)

This expansion will add roughly 95 feet of run to the layout, plus whatever distance the helix adds.

Current state of the layout:

Future state of the layout:

The hardest part of this expansion will be being out of operation for at least the remainder of 2023.

More P&E staging tracks built

P&E staging has been improved to support a more realistic schedule for the Peoria and Eastern.  Now with two 7ft hidden staging tracks I can support two freights each way, and a passenger train each way.  Additionally a too tight curve on the 2% grade from staging was ripped up and re-laid with about a 16" radius.  Previously a single engine could only pull 8 cars up from staging.  Now that same engine can pull 14 cars.  I've learned to never go for an excessively tight radius, even in hidden trackage by staging.

More ATSF staging tracks built

I ripped up part of the ATSF staging yard ladder and added two more tracks.  One of them is only half length due to benchwork limitations.  At this point with six tracks in the ATSF staging yard I can adjust the schedule to include more trains.

Changes to car card boxes

Up until now my card card boxes at each station have had a slot for each major industry, or a slot per two or three minor industries.  Cards facing outward were considered ready for pickup, and cards facing inward were holds.  Delievered cards went into the slots facing inward.  Locals working the town would have to inspect each card ready for pickup, to figure out if it was headed in their direction.  This has proven to be tricky, particularly for newer operators who may not be familiar with all of the stations on the layout.

In an effort to simplify things for operators I have relabeled the car card boxes with slots for Eastbound Pickups, Westbound Pickups, and one (or two) for Deliveries / Holds / Off-Spots.  The plan is for holds and deliveries to go facing in into the Deveries / Holds / Off-Spots box, with the off-spot cars facing outwards.  The direction of cards in the pickup boxes doesn't matter.  Hopefully this will make things easier for those working the towns.

Which setup do you prefer?

Old box labels.  With a slot for every two industries.

New box labels.  With an Eastbound Pickups slot, Deliveries / Holds / Off-Spots slot, Westbound Pickups slot.

Improvements to station signage

In an effort to make the layout more operator friendly I've been working on improvements to station signage.  Hopefully this will make things easier on new and old operators.  The new signs include:

• Station name
• Milepost
• Direction arrows
• Name of next station to the East and West
• Track map, colorized for each railroad involved
• Industry names
• Spot identifiers

Pekin Junction (MP 36.7 on the ATSF), where the Santa Fe leaves trackage rights on the Toledo Peoria & Western to head to Pekin.  Next station on the Santa Fe is Washington IL.  The TP&W heads into East Peoria staging here.

Roanoke IL (MP 24.5 on the ATSF)

Some progress on scenery work

I'm finally making some progress on scenery and structures.  For the last few weeks I've been building structures in Washington, IL, and finishing the scenery there.  Next up will be Roanoke, IL.

Looking north (railroad west) towards Washington, IL

Looking south (railroad east) towards the Washington, IL lumber yard, elevator, and depot.