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Introducing the Milan branch of the Iowa Interstate Journals/Blogs
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Super User 1,007 posts rrfaniowa Super User 1,007 posts
rrfaniowa

After enjoying this site for over two years and learning a great deal from the many contributors, I have decided to start a blog to chronicle the construction of my prototype layout of the Iowa Interstate’s Milan branch. My hope is that by “going public” it will motivate me to keep progressing with the layout so that I actually have things to share. Nothing like a good dose of accountability to keep one from procrastinating, right? 

I’m modeling the summer of 2003 when the branch still retained it’s ubiquitous SW1200 #250. The modest branch includes an amazing variety of industries (steel fabrication, chemical, aggregate, lumber, scrap, warehouse, bakery, etc.) and thus car types along with interesting operation. Geographically the branch starts south of the Mississippi River in Rock Island, IL., and travels south through Milan, IL., terminating just west of the city. In addition, the line spans the Rock River which include turn-of-the-century steel lattice truss bridges. The bridges will be a unique scenic feature on the layout.   

To start, I’ve attached the layout plan below. A map of the line with industries modeled (both on- and off-line), and several photos showing just completed benchwork will be posted within the thread. You’ll notice the layout is sparse in terms of structures but this suits me fine because I plan to superdetail each structure to the nth degree as well as the limited rolling stock.

Scott Thornton
Ames, Iowa

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Scott Thornton

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Reply 2
rrfaniowa Super User 1,007 posts
rrfaniowa

Additional Milan photos…

Here is the map of the branch:

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Recently completed benchwork below. I used steel frames as support which you can see at the IAIS site: http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/STMilanBranch/Benchwork_1

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Scott Thornton

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Reply 1
engineer Frequent poster 700 posts
engineer

Great!

This looks really great! I like the track plan and the benchwork is done very well, also the lighting! I'll be happy to see the progress ...

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    [1]   

Somewhere Southwest at MRH: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/21520
Modern monopole billboard in MRH: https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/modern-monopole-billboard-for-your-layout-13129796

Prototype Pics: https://somewhere-southwest.de/index.php/Prototype
Reply 1
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

...

Nice to see you posting here, you will be a great addition to the site! I'm following the other two IAIS modelers here with enjoyment. I really dig modern short lines (and regionals) and think the IAIS is a great prototype to model. You are off to an awesome start, keep sharing and get some track down!!

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
Joe Atkinson IAISfan Super User 3,774 posts
Joe Atkinson IAISfan

Nice!

Great to see you posting here Scott!  I've been super impressed with what you've done so far, and I'm sure your layout's going to be a huge hit on the forum (and no doubt in the magazine!).

Joe Atkinson
Modeling Iowa Interstate's 4th Sub, May 2005
https://m.facebook.com/groups/iowainterstate4thsub

https://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/4thSub

My MRH blog index

https://instagram.com/iaisfan
Reply 0
jfmcnab Frequent poster 589 posts
jfmcnab

Welcome Scott

Love the plan, love the progress, and love the prototype! Can't wait to see what happens next.

James
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Bill Brillinger Moderator 4,904 posts
Bill Brillinger

oh...

Another one? We might as well rename this site MRIAIS

Just kidding of course !

I'm looking forward to following your progress!!

Bill Brillinger

Modeling the BNML in HO Scale, Admin for the RailPro User Group, and owner of Precision Design Co.
Reply 0
Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,950 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Dear Joe, James, Scott, OK,

Dear Joe, James, Scott,

OK, so now we have "IAIS Triplets"?

Scott, it's looking like you're in for a whole lot of fun...
Can't wait to see how it progresses...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
Reply 0
rickwade Prolific poster (deceased) 6,447 posts
rickwade

Welcome, Scott!

A great concept and layout!  I'm looking forward to following your progress.

Rick

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The Richlawn Railroad Website - Featuring the L&N in HO  / MRH Blog  / MRM #123

Mt. 22: 37- 40
Reply 0
Colin 't Hart cthart Active Member 65 posts
Colin 't Hart cthart

Another one, yay!

I first started following Joe's progress on his IAIS layout after it was featured in MRP a few years back. Since then I've also enjoyed following James's progress on his. And now there's a third that I will be following closely!
Dutch Australian Living in Sweden
Hiawatha Avenue
Reply 0
Joe Atkinson IAISfan Super User 3,774 posts
Joe Atkinson IAISfan

IAIS

Quote:

Another one? We might as well rename this site MRIAIS 

Quote:

OK, so now we have "IAIS Triplets"?

It's all part of our eeeeevil plan for world domination.  Mwuhahahaha....

I'm good with the rename.  Show of hands?  I have to say, I'm relieved that Scott's name doesn't begin with a "J".  James and I are already being confused with one another on a regular basis.

Joe Atkinson
Modeling Iowa Interstate's 4th Sub, May 2005
https://m.facebook.com/groups/iowainterstate4thsub

https://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/4thSub

My MRH blog index

https://instagram.com/iaisfan
Reply 0
rrfaniowa Super User 1,007 posts
rrfaniowa

Maybe not IAIS triplets…

…but perhaps the Three Musketeers, or, um, the Three Stooges? (I fear the latter, with Joe being the ring leader trying to keep us in line.)  

Thanks all, for your interest. 

Scott Thornton

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Reply 0
jfmcnab Frequent poster 589 posts
jfmcnab

Three Stooges

That makes me Curly then...

Back on topic, from the first time I saw his plan I knew Scott had something special planned. I think it speaks highly to modern regionals and short lines that the three of us have such diverse layouts, while essentially modeling the same railroad in roughly the same era.

Today's railroads are cool, damnit!

Nyuk nyuk nyuk,
James
Reply 0
fernpoint MRH Contrib. Editor 1,931 posts
fernpoint

Smooth Start

Well this is looking great.......

You have obviously been working hard before posting and its paid off.

Love your combined logo/track plan/overview as well - very professional.

Keep us up to date.

Rob
Cornhill & Atherton RR
Reply 0
ljcasey1 Regular poster 377 posts
ljcasey1

I like IAIS too....

but not to your guys level.   Plus, it all died out for me when they retired most of the Paducahs....nothing like listening to that liberated exhaust cadence....like straight pipes on a street rod.   Course, I heard them when they were 'new' .

 

Loren (LJ) Casey

Maryville, IL

ICG St Louis sub 1979

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/blog/9719

 
Reply 0
santa fe 1958 Regular poster 393 posts
santa fe 1958

Popular

The Iowa Interstate certainly seems popular! Already following Joe's and James' with interest, now another one! Looks an interesting plan too. Brian

Brian

Deadwood City Railroad, modeling a Santa Fe branch line in the 1960's!

http://deadwoodcityrailroad.blogspot.co
Reply 0
Bill Brillinger Moderator 4,904 posts
Bill Brillinger

Trackplan

There is a larger version of this beautiful plan posted on the 3 Stooges IAIS Railfans website:

http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/STMilanBranch/STMilan_branch_layout3?full=1

Would you consider adding it to the Track Plan Database too?

Bill Brillinger

Modeling the BNML in HO Scale, Admin for the RailPro User Group, and owner of Precision Design Co.
Reply 0
Joe Atkinson IAISfan Super User 3,774 posts
Joe Atkinson IAISfan

Three...

Quote:

…but perhaps the Three Musketeers, or, um, the Three Stooges? (I fear the latter, with Joe being the ring leader trying to keep us in line.)  

920x1080.jpg 

Joe Atkinson
Modeling Iowa Interstate's 4th Sub, May 2005
https://m.facebook.com/groups/iowainterstate4thsub

https://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/4thSub

My MRH blog index

https://instagram.com/iaisfan
Reply 0
Bill Brillinger Moderator 4,904 posts
Bill Brillinger

Three

Splutter!! That is awesome!

Bill Brillinger

Modeling the BNML in HO Scale, Admin for the RailPro User Group, and owner of Precision Design Co.
Reply 0
Norman46 Regular poster 233 posts
Norman46

I like the Sara Lee plant

As the old ad jingle went, "Oh, everybody doesn't like something, but nobody doesn't like Sara Lee!"
Norman Modeling L&N in HO circa 1953 We don't stop playing with trains because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing with trains. Webmaster for http://www.locallocomodelrr.org
Reply 0
rrfaniowa Super User 1,007 posts
rrfaniowa

Track plan added

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the reminder. I just posted the plan.

Scott Thornton

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Sugar Beet Guy Regular poster 499 posts
Sugar Beet Guy

Really Nice

I like the short line concept. Very nice plan and sized right to be able to get a lot accomolished. I really like your idea of just a few buildings very well detailed.  Operations should be fun.

I'm looking forward to following your progress.

 

 

George Booth
Director of Everything, The New Great Western Railway
http://users.frii.com/gbooth/Trains/index.htm
Reply 0
Virginian and Lake Erie Super User 9,218 posts
Virginian and Lake Erie

Looks like a great start.

Looks like a great start. Really like how the bench work is lighted and accented, beautiful job. Looks like your layout will be a nice switching layout for one or two guys and no need for a fast clock, everything in real time. I am guessing that the total prototype length of what you are modeling is less than ten miles. A really great idea so one does not have to try an imagine 120 miles inside a 100 foot run on a model. If the rest of the layout continues like your work so far you will be a tough act to follow.

Rob in Texas

Rob in Texas

MRH Blog / Prep for an Operating Session / Delving Into the Past / The Club Blog / Youtube / etmrc.org
Reply 0
rrfaniowa Super User 1,007 posts
rrfaniowa

Close to spot on

Thanks, Rob.

I think you are just about spot on with the length of the modeled area -- about 10 miles. 

You’re also right in that I enjoy operating in a relaxed manner. I get excited just watching the UP local switch a single industry here in Ames, so the layout fits perfectly.

I appreciated everyone’s enthusiastic response to the layout. It’s certainly got me motivated to keep making progress.

Scott Thornton

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Reply 0
rrfaniowa Super User 1,007 posts
rrfaniowa

Track plan approach

Thanks pschmidt,

I built the track schematic in my design software (Adobe InDesign), imported it into Photoshop, and then took screen captures of Google satellite images and spliced them together. 

I drew the track schematic to scale so it was easy to accurately scale the satellite images. All I had to do was make sure the width of the prototype track in the satellite image matched the drawn track and, bingo, perfect scale. 

The process was quite fun actually and it allowed me to fine-tune the placement of all scenic elements while allowing for compression. Plus, it obviously gives a super realistic view of what’s possible which is exactly what I wanted, and needed. 

Scott Thornton

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