The Plan

Can't Wait

I am looking forward to reading along as you build your layout.  I too am in the same boat and right now still dealing with setting up the basement to get it going.  We should be starting on bench work by year end or by early January

Good start

Jeremy,

First, sorry to hear about the flood.  Preparing for another child is stressful enough without having to rebuild a house around yourself too.

Second, it sounds like you have done a fine job of getting your head around the trade-off between what you want and what will work.  That's a crucial step, and one too often overlooked.  We'll eagerly await the trackplan.

Great Start

Jeremy,

That's a very good list of givens and druthers - you've put a lot of thought into your plans.  I know what you mean about wyes and a shelf layout.  I have a total of 5 wyes on my layout because that's what the prototype had.

I also desired a mushroom style and didn't want duckunders but the plan just didn't work out.  Part of the problem is that mushrooms are well suited for a linear layout but the prototype is on three legs of a giant Y with a wye junction in the middle. I wasn't able to get a mushroom design to fit this scheme and still have a prototype flow.

I wanted an around-the-walls continuous loop for railfanning and interchange trains in a stand alone building so I needed a lift-up bridge across the entrance - no problems with it so far.  I also put a wye across an aisle on another lift-up bridge that has worked very well. Both bridges are up most of the time so there has been no problem with sagging. The wye bridge is up and down many times during an operating session (I'm too old for ducking under) and causes no problems. It took operators a little while to realize they could raise the bridge whenever they wanted but everyone agrees it's a good thing.

One thing I did while waiting for the train room construction to be completed was to build a model of the layout at 3/4" to the foot. The model worked out very nicely and gave me something useful to do.  It helped clarify some of the design issues such as space between decks.  I even had a scaled photo of myself and a friend to get a feel for the various heights.

http://users.frii.com/gbooth/Trains/GreatWestern/Construction/LayoutModel/Model.htm

Great Start

You've been having too much fun.

And two worlds to be the master of.

Thanks for the comments.

To all and to George in particular.

I had considered a model of the real thing however I used 3rd imaging and CAD based programs that help get the multiple/walkthrough perspective.

I want to add that You track plan helped very much, your use of the helix/wye combo at the end of the blob is not something I've seen before and it may not serve my purpose but it definitely gave me food for thought.

When I return from my road trip I hope to get the pen to paper so to speak and draft a plan of sorts.

Jeremy

Eye level may be too high.

The potential problem with eye level bench work is the difficulty in reaching over the top of scenery details in the front part of the layout to reach a car behind.  If you are going to do switching operations with a layout that high, you will need to carry a step stool to use to reach over the front edge to uncouple anything behind.  I think you probably would be better off with the trains at chest level.

Clarification

When I used the term "eye level" I just meant high layout no bottom deck.  I use the term, most likely incorrectly, to describe layouts from my chest to arm pit.  Most likely I will keep track level between 55" and 65" inches off the floor.  With a Midwest railroad there is very little grade however I may include a grade to lessen the helix time.

I don't have a problem using a stool to work on the layout but like you said I would prefer not to use them while operating it.

I am considering points along the fascia in which I will provide drawer type stool pull outs, with 4 small children I will need some way to let them watch the fun.  And standing on bar stools is both un safe and impeding traffic, at least with the pull out the child can dismount his point and slide the stool in so the operator may pass easily.  At the very least I can ensure that pedestrians may pass safely.

Jeremy, I'm in a modular club.

Our layout is set at a 40 inch rail height from the floor on set ups which is too low in my opinion for good viewing, but it is still too high for many children to view it without parents lifting them.  At some of the shows, I've seen parents who are "old hands" at taking their kids to train shows carry a light weight folding step stool.  They get to a spot on the layout and unfold the stool for their kids to stand on and view the trains, then they fold it up and move on to the next viewing spot.

Never again

When I had my big On30 layout, it was just below eye level and it was awesome to look at, but I will never do it again. I am the kind of guy that likes to come home from work and operate my layout. I found out that after working all day and then come home and stand up to operate my train was not too enjoyable. My next layout which was much smaller and in O standard gauge, I did it typical table height. Yes it is low, but I could come home and sit on a plush chair and roll around the layout. That is the life !!!! 

Now, I will have to dismantle my present layout. I thought all my kids were out of the house, yeah right !!!! My daughter moved back in, my son will be back home from Peru and now my mother in law moving in with us !! So a new layout will be in the two car garage, the height will be table height. With my plush chair rolling around and still in O scale two rails...

No Progress...

I spent all week thinking the plan over and today put pen to paper.  I even dabbled a little bit with XtrkCAD. 

Well nothing yet, although i think I have a idea that may work.  My issue is the Wye's getting them on the shelf and then incorporating that into a mushroom.

One thing that is really killing me is space, I have an open slate and that is sorta becoming and issue. 21' sidings are another.  Wye's the third and as a lone wolf I don't need a huge pike.  Trying to keep it smaller than the Siskiyou line and still provide operating potential for 1-7 people.

Those designers really have their work cut out for them...

Been there....

I so relate to the comment "Those designers really have their work cut out for them..." Designing my track plan starting with a blank slate turned into a much more complex mental exercise than I initially imagined it would be. After a year's worth of effort I arrived at something that satisfied me but not without coming to terms with a few things:

• The track plan can never be perfect, no such thing, quit trying to achieve perfect
• Regardless of design effort, physical implementation is likely to change much of the plan
• Resolve to the fact mid-stream change is inevitable, design with this in mind
• Not a question of right and wrong, it's a question of good and better, good will work, better is a nice but not mandatory
• What is constructed can be deconstructed if needed, not carving stone tablets
• It is all an unknown until real trains operate on it, be prepared for a few "Hmmph" moments when the first trains roll

The track plan design phase was extremely enjoyable for me. I hope you find it to be the same.

Thanks Alan...

To be perfectly honest I keep yours and Jason's blogs up on the net when working in XtrkCad.  You both have design elements I'd like to emulate in the very least.  That and Jason is building his so I can extrapolate what doesn't work from his changes particularly because in a blog you have a historical archive sense of the changes.  So often we see a layout review and all we see is the finished track plan, not the 12+ revisions it took to get there.

In actuality if I could "borrow" your trackplan CAD file it would help. Your Brittain Yard and engine terminal have the feel I'm going for with my Janesville yard.

As a youth I loved drawing trackplans.  However as I aged and realized other aspects of model railroading things changed.  For one as a boy getting as much track on the board so to speak was the goal, now I need to incorporate operational, logistical, physical and of course interpretation of the prototype.  It's a vary daunting task, almost wants to make me give up prototype modeling and go freelanced. My goal is actually proto-freelanced as I don't intend to operate my railroad by the exact timetable.  The WSOR has a very slow timetable as a regional railroad that's to be expected.  My goal for my line is to be able to operate any where from 1 day to 1 weeks worth of schedule in a single Operating session.  The week will be compressed into what could be done in 8 hrs, if that makes sense.

As a carpenter, building is my forte' in fact I've actually considered building railroads for clients.  However I plan to build mine first, LOL.

Back to the subject at hand, after a long ordeal yesterday dealing with XtrkCad.  I finally managed to get track in a plan.  In fact I built a very close replica of the Janesville Engine terminal and Wye.  The issue with the plan is that it's huge 12' x 21' and if I complete the actual yard I imagine it will be nearly 45' in length not bad considering the prototype scaled down is 70'.  Yes I did a little compression, but not nearly enough.

The reason I drew the plan was to have something to look at, in order to compress.  Another option would be to connect staging yards to each point coming off the Janesville complex and operate the layout virtually and see what is/isn't used and what can be made smaller.  Janesville in on the prototype is actually a small yard and trains can't be stored complete and are required to be broke to fit the yard.  This is can be bad or good, seeing as I plan to operate shorter trains, I can choose to keep the yard long enough to accommodate my trains or I can choose to compress the yard and add the break up of the train to the operation.

Another comprimise I think I've made is eliminating the mushroom concept. Although once I determine actual room size it may return.  Part of my problems with the mushroom are the Wye's, two are required on the layout.  However I can eliminate the actual full size wye at Janesville by requiring all traffic to arrive in and depart from the A/D tracks before continuing to Chicago.  While the WSOR already does this I had planned to add operational interest and run a BNSF unit coal under home power through to Madision from Chicago, or a intermodal through to Praire Du Chien.  The unit coal could be a possibilty on the prototype the intermodal would never happen due to over weight.  But the #1 rule is run what you want right.  Either way the wye isn't truely required. 

The second Wye at Milton Junction can also be reduced to 2 of the 3 legs as there is rarely traffic from Horicon to Madision and vice versa, nor is it part of the subs that join at the junction.  The issue is that unused leg is the most model worthy...go figure.  So I've already planned to model that portion and take some modelers license to make it work for me.  If the one leg didn't connect the North and South Divisions I would eliminate it completely. Another requirement is the leg to the northern division (Horicon) has a very large Ethanol Plant in fact its so new it wasn't on google maps until this summer.  Because the plant is the only thing that side of the wye I intend to model.  I may model the plant and sneak the northern connection behind and disappear to staging.

Nothing to model between Milton and Janesville the rock quarry is serviced by UP, so I other than the rock river bridge there won't be a bunch of distance between Milton and Janesville on the layout.  Depending how the layout unfolds I may incorporate the rock quarry and a UP job.  A lot of work for one job though.  However it may prove worthy.

Enough rambling back to the drawing board.

Cheers

Doodle Phase

I made a drawing of my space on graph paper and made lots of copies. Then as I had ideas I would doodle them into the space, and focused on my givens first. Actually made about 30 during the time I was building the house.

Then one day, having breakfast with my grandmother I saw a cinnamin roll and got a idea. I made the benchwork swirl inside the room and the givens doodled into the swirl made it all work out.

I kept most of the doodles in a notebook as well, interesting looking back at the ideas I had and how it finally developed.

Enjoy the time, it can as fun as it is frustrating. You wont sit down and draw out your dream the first try......

Yes..

I agree and have been at this awhile.  Unfortunately with the change of events this spring, I was put in a position that a railroad can be possible.  Along with the loss of my home, much of the possessions are deep in storage, so that file I made and kept around like you is nowhere to be found. Yet...

So with this blog I am starting over.  This past weekend I bought a new sketch book and pencils.  My intent is to sketch the actual locations and convert each to a CAD file.  I then plan to sketch compressed versions and subsequently convert those to CAD.  Once I have a bunch of compressed LDE's I was going to string those together and put them on tables electronically.  However the notion of printing them out along with a scale image of my train room and moving them around is not far from my mind.  I actually did this when i laid out my wood shop.  It's amazing what works on paper actually works in person.

So far I've begun converting sketches to CAD files of the actual track.  I find this is an actual useful step as I'm using Google earth which isn't very detailed.  My sketch which is roughly a track centerline merely has direction and length of track with position of turnouts.  In CAD I can make it work with actual track, albeit to large to conceivable model.

Another thing to consider is the history of the rails WSOR operates on.  This is actually the fun part.  One thing unexpected is that every town/industry is around a passing siding.  In the days before WSOR these where used as such.  However the single track mainline the WSOR now operates is a fair bit slower than when the rails were laid 100 years ago.  As such the WSOR doesn't use passing sidings, all trains are run as turns and none cross paths at any point in the timetable.  So the passing sidings I assumed where just run around.  I was wrong again all towns/industries are switched from one end, and as most trains are turns they just work them either out or back. This means I don't even need passing sidings, however I may include them on the larger LDE's to retain the prototype feel.

Jeremy don't be afraid to ask for help...

Jeremy,

I have to agree with all of Alan's points in reply to your post, because what he has posted, we have all been through.  And more so Alan has raised some very good "givens" that if you design and build to can help immensely throughout the design and construction of your layout.

Allowing enough flexibility in both plan and construction unless you know you have an absolute bulletproof plan is a smart move.  I have had several points on the JL&T that have had either minor or major alterations to the plan, and/or completed track work.  And there are going to be more, the later may be just fine tuning after ops sessions to further expand or add more ops potential.

Now I have to clarify one point with you too and I have to laugh at this, I really like your comment about having the 12+ revisions for a layout and seeing the changes take place.  Because if I actually put "all" of the revisions from the first to the last, MRH would need a dedicated server just for them!  You could easily add a "0" to the 12+ or even multiply it by 2......

And lastly one piece of advice I was given, and have used, and will continue to use is "if your not happy with it, or it doesn't work, rip it out and do it again" it's only a little time...

And please if you need any help ask, this is what this forum is all about and what makes it such a fantastic resource to us all.  I've also just added a new page to our other eblogger blog http://jlandtrailroad.blogspot.com/ on how the design for the JL&T came about, which includes four stages of the layout design.  Have a look at the difference from start to finish, and have a laugh too...

Jas...

A few thoughts

Jeremy-

First, as an attendee of the University of Wisconsin from 95-99 I'm really excited by your prototype.  I was stuck at grade crossings more than once as a WSOR train ran by.  It strikes me as a railroad that will translate as a model very well.  I was in the same spot as you about 4 years ago so let me give you a few pointers that may help:

1.  You won't be a lone wolf for long.  ​Look at my initial blog post on here (in my signature, go to the 2nd page of posts) and you'll see I mentioned a couple of times that I figured I would be a love wold since I didn't know anyone in the area who might be into what I was modeling.  Just like Field of Dreams if you build it they will come.  Even if it doesn't have scenery!  

2.  ​If you haven't spend the $10 and join the NMRA.  ​But first find out if your local division has meetings since this is the part of the NMRA that would be of use to you at this point.  If you don't have meetings save the $10 but if they do then sign up, go to the meeting, and stand up at the beginning or end and tell people what you are doing.  I'll bet you'll make a half dozen new friends who will help you out.

Finally, it sounds like you're going in the right direction figuring out what elements you want in the layout first then figuring out how you want to fit it in the room.  That's the proper approach and not the other way around.  Figure out how your major yards towns, etc will be arrayed and then go from there.   Jumping into XtrakCAD and throwing track around won't get you anywhere.  Been there, done that!

Great comprehensive post and I look forward to seeing what else you do.

Thanks Jason...

Like I said I follow your blog and the addition of how you've developed your plan is a good piece.  One can only guess at what will change as you build the lower deck.  I also like that you've named your layout with your children in mind.  I have 3 boys 5, 3 and 21 months, with another on the way. I can only hope they will enjoy this as much as I plan to. 

I just don't want to spend 10 years building it...

Which is why I'm planning now, being that the building hasn't been built its a very good time to get a potential plan in place.

Thanks Rich...

The Thousand Lakes region has it's meeting quite the distance from Minot.  We do have a local club but I haven't meet any of them.  I often linger at the LHS even if not purchasing anything on the off chance another modeler will stumble in.  I mean the LFS has a decent section from other shops I've visited, but I've never seen another living sole in the store. At least not in the train section.

So I guess I'm doing exactly what Ray Kinsella did and build my dream.

I'll have to add jumping into XtrkCad and throwing track around can be very helpful.  From the standpoint of understanding it's mannerisms...

I'll look over your blog tomorrow.

Cheers

Full size mock up

Pencil and paper or CAD is good for the idea phase but Ive found that once you get the idea you like, break out the turnouts and mock up all the major yard ladders or junctions. Often once you see it full size youll either confirm or recognize flaws. Think about operations now.

One of my "rules" on my VS: Until its poured in concrete, it can be changed. Almost every modeler has "revised" some trackage no matter how good the plan. Even the prototype does it from time to time.

I recently rebuilt my entire staging yard, not because of flaws but of a idea that added 40% more storage space.

Even if it is poured in concrete it can be changed, just a lil more work involved......

Little update...

Been reading a lot on my prototype the last few weeks as it turns out I've been under the impression they operated differently. 

But the good news is I can eliminate one wye I planned to use, although some of the rolling stock I've gathered and my motive power isn't very common on the district I plan to model.

I'm going to finish these couple of books before I return to the drawing board.

Ok, well after weeks of no

Ok, well after weeks of no progress I came up with this simple version of what was very complex last week.

The entire picture is what would be the loft area of my Garage (not built as of yet).  The upper left corner contains a stairwell, and the walls will have some windows blocked by the railroad.  As this is a shared office space/mancave I didn't want the whole loft to be railroad, at least not yet.  I also wanted to have a railroad I could start and complete in a few years.  The more track the higher cost, and the more rolling stock I need to operate.  So this is a compromise from a shelf to a full loft.

Pictured is the main deck.  Walk in from the top with a removable bridge on the lower staging level.  The upper left corner of the railroad resides a pair of stacked Helixes.  The bottom Helix is 4 turns up from staging, which is set at 39", the terminus is a hidden track behind the backdrop on the main deck.  The main deck height is 55".  This hidden track entires the visible portion of the railroad at three points, east and west of the engine facility and the upper right portion of the layout.  The portion of the WSOR I intend to model is from Janesville to Milton Jct. as well as the shortline from Janesville to Monroe.  Janesville is home to the 5 points, a rather complex Wye and interchange.  My first plan represented this rather well but consumed a rather large section of the room.  Milton jct, is also a Wye with legs headed to Madison and Horicon.  The curve into the hidden siding is all I can muster in my limited space, however I will probably model a dead leg that extends to to the background, so as to simulate a junction.

The end of Janesville yard which is rather small even on the prototype heads west to Monroe the mainline extends through the yard an on to Monroe. To gain space I used curved turnouts, although I may eliminate all but one and model the yard stub ended.  The close proximity to what is the second Helix, means the crew will use the Helix track to work the yard from the west end.  I don't like the idea of using the Helix as a yard lead.  So I will most likely service the yard from the East.  On the prototype the yard is serviced from the West as to not obstruct a rather complex grade crossing.  On the model this grade crossing is not modeled and certainly won't have angry motorists. If this is the case there will be little need for a ladder on the West.

This of course brings us to the second Helix, like the bottom Helix its a fixed 36" radius but not connected to the bottom with trackwork.  This Helix goes up to Monroe, 5 turns terminating at 75".  The track crosses the walk in and becomes the second deck.  However this portion is a mushroom and the middle of the peninsula will have an elevated floor.  This upper area extends counterclockwise around the peninsula and terminates in the Monroe ethanol plant on the north side. 

The entry to the mushroom lies at the end of the peninsula with a 12" wide duckunder.  To me this is the only inconvenient portion of the layout.  However as the Monroe turn will only be operated once a session by one crew I find it acceptable.  This portion of the line will also serve as my loan man operation, when the switching itch has me and no one wants to play trains.  Grab a cut of cars run up the Helix and switch the plant, should be good for an hour or two of my time.  I plan to include a drop down floor over the steps so that the upper team can operate with out worry of falling down the stairs.  I envision the floor will be 20" high.

I'm still tweaking the plan, the two sidings are large enough to hold three Dash 9's and 25 86' boxcars, so it will manage the largest train I intend to run.  Which will be 25 cars and 3 SD-40's.

Currently there are a few rail served industries in Milton, my plan only calls for one the Cargill feed plant.  There is also a large grain silo and an Ethanol plant.  In the future I may extend the railroad over my desk area and model the Ethanol Plant.

One other option I'm considering is placing the hidden siding below the main Deck on a small shelf, entering the Helix one turn down.  With this option I would double track the lower Helix so that it completes a single loop through staging and back, for continuous operation when I just want to rail fan.  A twist to this would be adding benchwork north of the layout and eliminate the hidden siding completely with more railroad.  The problem with this is getting the layout over my Vidmar Cabinets which will reside on the North Wall.

I went ahead and re formatted

I went ahead and re formatted the layout with the around the room option.  This requires the layout to extend thought the office area and over my Vidmar cabinets.  My current Vidmar cabinets are 59" high, so to achieve this plan I will have to purchase 44" high versions.

This plan utilizes the dual track helix from the main deck to staging.  The line from Janesville to Chicago will utilize the inside rail while the trackage down to Madison and Horicon will enter the Helix on loop down and make the second track portion.  The Helix up to the mushroom is the same as the inner track and goes up clockwise to the second level.  The image is actually incorrect but close enough to get the idea.  I snapped the screen shot before I verified track profiles.

The second deck is pretty basic, one passing siding with a concrete dealer and the Ethanol plant at the lines terminus.

Staging, not very exciting but I posted it anyways.

Reviews?

Well it's been a few days and no replies so I figured I'd start reviewing my plan myself trying to get an outsiders look.  As I've gone through the plan I've fixed items and then start over.  I'll wait till I finish before posting an updated plan.  Of course my review below is on the optional plan, as I found it far superior to the first plan.

I started in staging and actually built a few trains to operate the digital layout to test a few things. The one thing I didn't like was the 30" diameter turn in staging.  Yes my trains will traverse this but I attempted to keep 36" the minimum despite my givens and druthers.  Alas it only effects the inside three tracks but it's a minus point in my book.  The other portion of staging I'm not satisfied with is the peninsula switches.  The are oriented to keep each track length close to equal, unfortunately this puts the switches at the back of staging, which is another drawback.  The last section of staging I don't like is the result if I switch the yard lead on the peninsula side.  The wall side is oriented so that crews can see the lead loco and pick the right track when operating their consist.  I'll have to develop a compromise I like or include a crossover before the helix.

The first part of the main deck I don't like is yard length. I really liked my first plan (not posted) however the main problems I discovered with this plan were;

-complicated hidden track, and a lot of it.  I'm not wealthy and want to reduce unnecessary spending, combined with not wanting trains running unseen for minutes at a time.  I had to change this aspect.

-complicated bench work.  The original plan closely followed the actual arrangement of Janesville WI, this meant very wide bench work along the wall to allow for the 36" radius in and out of the wye, connecting the hidden track to the yard. This doesn't present a problem until the room as a whole is considered, by diverting from the domino approach the rest of the layout becomes distorted or wastes space. There had to be a compromise.

To solve both problems I compromised by attaching what are supposed to be two legs of the wye to a pair of yard leads.  This doesn't preserve the orientation of the yard but does it hinder operations of the layout either. For me the latter was more important.

The unfortunate nature of running the yard along the wall is the yard which had run around the bend created by the turn back into the wye, is it was now much shorter.  Combined with actual building plan changes the Helix along the North wall (plan left) had to move further west to accommodate the stair well.  The stairwell right now is in a right of way dispute amongst the corporate bodies.  The shop foreman wants the stairwell along the North wall and the railroads director of land management wants it against the East wall.  To complicate matters even worse the director of business affairs for two business entities that have rights to the loft area prefer to not utilize the railroad right a way for office entry.  As such the terminus of the stairwell must be considered common ground (that means no duck unders).  Of course all 4 persons are one and the same, Me!  So for now the plans are exactly that plans.

Back to the yard, once laid flat the yard tracks become awfully short as shown, and while the prototype has short tracks.  I made every attempt to get as much out of the yard as possible if it is larger than the prototype.  As this complex is the heart of the system, actually I feel staging is the heart of any layout, I wanted to make sizeable.  As a first change I pushed the yard around the Northwest corner and utilized curved switches in the ladders to get longer yard tracks.  I was able to stretch each track 16" and connect the two stub ended tracks.  This adds capacity and operational ease.  As the stair well becomes finalized the Helix may move east which will only help yard leads.  This change is similar to the first plan I posted.

One of the items I removed from the first plan and brought back to the second was the coach yard opposite the engine terminal.  Currently the WSOR doesn't operate passenger service, although Amtrak operated to Janesville for a very short period from 99'-00'.  The WSOR does however operate a business train which I intend to model, this train often uses the coach yard equipped with HEP electrical service for temporary storage.  Another aspect of modeling vs prototype is I don't actually have to worry about revenue, so I may bring back Amtrak or METRA to the layout as another operational aspect.  Wheeler Pit doesn't lie within the scope of my layout however if I did model passenger service I may add another location, as well as the option to have run through trains to Madison.  I actually fancy Athearn's Bombardier coaches, so who knows perhaps the WSOR will purchase a few for my railroad.

The last aspect of the plan I didn't favor was the esthetic curves I added between Janesville and Milton.  In reality this is a straight shot with a single bend after the railroad crosses the rock River and traverses the gravel pit.  I changed this for my update but kept the track at an angle to the edge of the bench work.  This keeps the ease of domino construction but doesn't parallel the track to the bench work either.

I'm pretty satisfied with the mushroom although I may adjust the siding a bit to keep the switch in reach. Milton however while I am satisfied I may gain some length with the stairwell compromises.  This hopefully will allow a straight shot and the addition of more industry that is actually found in Milton.

Appreciate any additional input people would like to share.

Review

The main reason for working the west end of Janesville yard is the fact the west end is a bit higher than the east end.  No crossings back there help as well.  The coach yard is often used for storage, and some transloading occurs there as well.  There is only one industry that is switched in Janesville proper, that is the plastic place on the edge of the west yard. 

Janesville has the roundhouse, but I feel the rest of what happens there could be represented by staging.  Very little industry work, just taking the inbound Chicago train and lining up the trains for Horicon, Madison, Monroe, and local work on the line to Chicago.  The yard work does involve going around the wye quite often.  The interchanges with the UP and ICE also occur near the roundhouse.  The ICE man comes up from Beloit, shoves past the roundhouse, around the wye, usually sets his cars in the east yard, gets his cars, shoves past the roundhouse, and heads back towards home.  The train from Madison usually comes down from Milton with his non-Chicago cars, sets some in the yard, then spins the wye, sets out the UPs in the interchange, then puts their power to the house. 

The train towards Chicago usually bypasses the Janesville yard.  It starts in Horicon, adds more in Milton, sometimes adds more at Wheeler Pit, an sometimes Bardwell as well.  Every day is different, depending on traffic levels, where the train are at any given time, yardmaster preference, etc. 

The gravel quarry at Anderson is WSOR served.  In season, about 20 loaded cars a night get picked up and taken to Madison.  The next morning on the return trip the empties return.  I think there are about 3 sets of cars in this service.  The UP serves a lumber yard and a co-op up there. 

Milton has a fair amount of stuff going on, with 5 (sometimes 6) industries, and trains moving through.  There used to be a job that just switched the Milton area. 

Hope this helps.  If you have more questions, I will try to answer them to the best of my ability,