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www.bnsfrr.net
Longmont, Colorado |
| Home Track Diagram Layout at a Glance Operations Crew |
January 30, 2005
The journey begins. On this date, a contract was signed to
build a
new
layout room (3,000 sf. basement) with a
house on top.
This marks the beginning of the layout planning process.
October, 2005
January 15, 2006 Bechwork construction begins. All of the perimeter walls have been rough framed to hang the single level benchwork, outside of the mushroom sections.
The mushroom construction begins with the top/lower levels and the raised floor sections.
Benchwork continues and is approximately 70% complete at this stage. Lights and electrical are next. This is the mushroom…
The majority of benchwork is done, and the day/nigh light fixtures have been installed. The next phase is completing the room electrical (A/C). This next photo is of the staging area. Active staging, or "the mole," will be used and will represent five cities or destinations on the layout.
An overview of the benchwork, with day lighting....
The same area, looking from the aisle. Notice the light fixtures fit nicely inside the fascia...
June 2006 The "Mole" with lighting and ceiling.
Benchwork with day lights, valance, and styrene backdrop. July 2006 The double track helix is
used to get from one level of the mushroom to the other.
Construction is 2 layers of 3/8 plywood laminated together, with 1/2
inch homosote on top. All plywood and homosote is glued and
screwed together. The helix uses both threaded rod and wood
spacers for consistent spacing and support. August 2006 The next few pictures show the suspended ceiling above the aisles, painted dark green to draw the viewers attention to the layout. The lighting valance is also painted the same color, as will the fascia when installed. September 2006 The backdrop is painted and the ceiling valance defuser panels are being installed. The lighting valance, drop ceiling, and walls are also completely painted at this time.   January 2007 Digitrax components are installed under Fall River. There are seven of these "nodes" centrally located around the layout.  A/D tracks 1 and 2 are installed in Fall River Yard. The tracks on the right originate in UP staging, and enter the BNSF system West of the Fall River yard. All visible track is code 83. The turnouts are Peco code 83; number 6's in the yard/industries, and number 8's on the mainline.  Tomar signals are used throughout the layout. On this subdivision, searchlight signals are used. The other subdivisions use 3 light modern signals (with and without hoods).  Tracks at the Public Service power plant. Two loops are used for coal arrival and unloading.  September 2007 Below is the Traffic Center, where trains begin and end their journey over the railroad. RailOp is used in "real time" to forward cars. The Traffic Manager is responsible for bringing trains in and out of the Traffic Center, generating RailOp manifests, and calling crews. There are eight surveillance cameras viewed from the Traffic Center to help the Traffic Manager ready trains for the crews to pick up.  Track work in the yard is complete. From right to left: UP Fall River A/D tracks (2), Four BNSF A/D tracks, and seven classification tracks. Trains also originate and terminate here. The Traffic Manager can send manifests from the Traffic Center directly to the Yardmaster via the Fall River printer.  Below is the Black Diamond Mine. Note the BNSF mainline to the right, three A/D tracks which lead to the loader loop, and the departure track to the left.  The dispatchers office is complete. A 22 inch wide screen monitor is used to display the CATS CTC system. All track occupancy and signals are installed and working, and are controlled by the Dispatcher. Telephones are used between the DS, FR Yard, Staging (Traffic Center), crew lounge, and Superintendent (via hand held telephone/intercom). All road crews use two-way radios to communicate with the dispatcher.  July 2008 - Update ! It has been a busy year with continuing construction and monthly operating sessions. The strategy has been to operate as often as possible and receive feedback to make changes before the scenery construction begins. The operators have provided great suggestions for improvements during the past six months. The entire layout area now has carpet. Eighteen inch charcoal colored carpet squares have been installed, as well as aisle lighting for night operations. Adjustments to the HVAC had to be made, as the carpet holds the heat in the room. Below is an overview of Fall River yard with the carpet and skirting installed.  In addition to the carpet and skirting, red rosin paper has been used to cover the open benchwork and provide a foundation for the scenery. Below is an overview of the Horton area, one of the more poplar areas that operators like to switch.  Another overview picture of the coal mine. Notice the difference in appearance compared to the coal mine picture above, without the red rosin paper hiding the benchwork and wiring....  Fascia controls have been installed at each "Control Point," or plant, as well as all mainline switches controlled by the Dispatcher. Note the lock which uses keys that are issued to local crews. All mainline switches are controlled by the Dispatcher.  "Mock-ups" are being built to simulate structures and industries on the layout. This has been a fun project for the construction crew.  Below is the intermodal yard at Fall River. The operator staffing this position is responsible for loading specific containers into the well cars for departing trains. A magnifying glass is required to read the reporting marks on each container! 
In
January 2009, the layout was shut down for operations in order to
begin
scenery. The scenery construction techniques are
very conventional. Below, plaster was used to cover the rosin
paper, followed by a coat of dirt colored latex paint. Rock
croppings using Sculptamold have began, which will be followed by
backdrop painting. Note the access hatch is removed for easy
access.
"Phase 1" backdrop
painting was completed in February, 2009.
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