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Chippewa, Marquette, St. Charles and Pacific Layout Pics Journals/Blogs
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Regular poster 162 posts johnsong53 Regular poster 162 posts
johnsong53

Since Joe asked for some layout pics in a previous post I though I would make a new entry. As with most layouts the Chippewa is under construction.

The picture below is base on the old Kate Shelly bridge her in Iowa. It was constructed from Evergreen Models structural shapes (ordered in bulk). It is 14.5 ft long and stands 60 inches off the floor so the center can be used as a duck under. This took about a year to build.

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This is the Wyocena yard engine house. The hot air balloon on the backdrop covers a Dremel tool hit.

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A highly weathered SD40-2 at the engine house

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This will eventually be the engine servicing facility. It is directly in front of the ADM plant.

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I had one of the original Atrearn SD70ACE locomotives which never operated correctly (discovered to late it had the warped trucks) so it is my wreck. A bit high to fit through the helix so I will probably redo on a depressed center car.

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Just some farm scenes, 

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This is the entrance to the helix. Staging yards are on the lower level and the layout is designed as a continuous loop. If your train goes into the helix on the right track it will reemerge on the left track returning to Wyocena.

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My blog index

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Robin W Regular poster 129 posts
Robin W

WOW!!!!

That Viaduct Bridge is Beautiful!!!

I am building one my self albeit its only 40" though.Pics look great .. 

Robin in AZ

 
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Rick Sutton Prolific poster 4,357 posts
Rick Sutton

Duck under

Curious. Does the duck under have any special bracing to limit damage in the event of an accidental hit?
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johnsong53 Regular poster 162 posts
johnsong53

Duck under reply

There is no special bracing, however the center section is just sitting in the piers. The only thing that holds it in place is the track. I have caution tape on the floor in a box shape that warns people not to stand until outside the box. I have hit it s couple time and all it does is cock the bridge, just slide it back in place.

My blog index

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pldvdk Super User 2,562 posts
pldvdk

Wow!

Great pictures of a wonderful layout! Thanks for sharing. 

That bridge scene is outstanding. I'm wondering though if you ever worry about someone standing up too soon as they duck under the bridge? It would be a shame to see all that work come to nothing in a second!

The idea of using that old loco that didn't work well as a wreck is also cool. I've never seen that before. Does that load run every op session? Or is it more of a static scenic element to add interest to the layout? Either way it looks great!

Look forward to seeing more!

Paul Krentz

Free-lancing a portion of the N&W Pocahontas "Pokey" District

Read my blog
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SouthlandModeler Regular poster 262 posts
SouthlandModeler

Beautiful layout.

I especially love the viaduct and rural scenes. Well done.

Chris B

My Blog:

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/a-branchline-in-the-rural-south-12792027

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fatliz New member 2 posts
fatliz

Takes me back to the Katy Shelly bridge

I was under this bridge about 4 years ago. Of course by then the new bridge was in use but I have a photo taken from the south at just the right angle so you'd swear the train crossing at the time was on the old bridge.

I see you even modeled the road I was on over there on the west side of the river. I nearly got stuck on that road (Paying too much attention to the train overhead and not enough to the mud and debris I was driving into.) since a recent flood had pretty-much washed it out and the Wagon Wheel Road auto-bridge to the north was laying in the river.

 
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