Baron Simmerman's
Indianapolis Division of Conrail, southwest
Baron models the Indianapolis Division of Conrail, southwest from Avon, Indiana to East St. Louis, Illinois. He is modeling the years of Conrail with more modern day consisting. The years in use will be from late 70's thru the time that the split took place in 2000. The area of modeling is mostly farmland with interchanges with Union Pacific, CXST, Illinois Central, and Amtrak. The layout is designed as a two layer dog-bone concept with the use of a helix to transfer from lower to upper layers. The major industry is Grain and Coal. All other types of industry were present also.
Construction of layout is in Baron's basement. All frame work is made of 1x4 construction with spline with homasote base. The backdrop is made of quarter inch masonite painted sky blue with clouds stenciled in (thank you Dick Bougerie and his awesome talent). Track work on the mains will be Code 100 Atlas with number six turnouts for crossovers and siding switches. All sidings will be Code 83 Atlas and use number six and four turnouts. The main lines are to be double tracked. Total mainline running of 1600 linear feet of track (not scale). Presently at this time, the layout is framed complete. Fascia boards are installed. Ceiling has been installed for the finish look. The upper layer is complete of track work. The helix has been recently been completed also. Lower level is in progress. Ideal finish date for trackage is late June 2006.
The railroad is using Digitrax Chief system for Command Control. Tethered, infrared, and radio throttles are to be used. His computer is being used at this time for monitoring the Chief system and programming the locomotives.
Baron is a member of the Union Station Railroad Association group.
|
