This brings me to a short update on the status of three primary "threads":
Thread 1: Research. Research has continued on many aspects of the MILW (and UP and BN) operations in Eastern Washington and the Panhandle of ID, specifically as it all relates to the MILW in and around Plummer, Spokane, and the lines radiating from Spokane. First, I have taken a significant detour into Huetter / Post Falls / Couer D'Alene operations. I have learned alot from a few people who are smart about the area, including Jim Davis and Bruce Kelly. I have not been able to fully understand how switching was handled in Couer D'Alene during daylight hours, especially since it was served by 3 rail carriers at approximately the same time. While this will undoubtedly make a cool model rail subject, I am still left with quite a few questions, notably what track was in service in 1973 or so and which railroads physically switched which industries. Based on documents, it is clear that reciprocal switching rules were in effect, but that does not answer the more layout-oriented question of who did what.
I also researched the principle shipping points on the MILW branch to Metaline Falls. This was mostly accomplished by using aerial photos procured through the State of Washington. These photos have been really helpful since you can see which industries were in service at the time the photo was snapped, how many and what type of cars were spotted, and which buildings were standing. This is especially useful on a more than 100 mile branchline headed into a part of WA that was very infrequently photographed - especially the rail operations there!
I also have researched the industries in and around the MILW yard in Spokane as best I can, and have come up with some great new material that will be covered in a future posting since it deserves more attention and photos. Understanding these are important for layout planning since these are the sources for cars on the layout, as well as a potential "job" during an operating session if some of the layout is devoted to it.
Finally, after many long bouts of searching, I finally found someone who worked for MILW in Spokane! Thanks to Facebook and Rob Leachman, I have been introduced to two brothers who used to work for the MILW, not out of Spokane but out of Malden. Brothers Randall and Dan Felton worked the extra board at Malden and therefore worked a variety of jobs, making them knowledgeable on the big picture of eastern Washington operations in the gap. Thanks guys, and Rob, for your help!
Thread 2: Layout design. After spending a few intense weeks working on layout design, I have a plan that has fleshed out my current interests, while also fitting quite efficiently into the basement with curves going the right way, yard ladders actually fitting in the space, decent aisle space where it is most needed, and no obstructions like duckunders. The geography is focused on the mainline connection at Plummer, MILW yard in Spokane, and industries near the yard. By including these geographic landmarks, I get slivers of 4 rail operations I really like: "road trains," blocking and block swaps, yard switching, industry switching, and interchange operations between rail carriers - all without deviating from the prototype, without creating extra or fictional operations, or requiring a gigantic basement. The plan and further descriptions will be included in a future post since it is still being adjusted and tweaked, but for now the layout design works very nicely for my 14x26 basement with Plummer Jct and Plummer on a mainline loop on the upper level, and a lower level composed of Dishman, Spokane yard, and Spokane industries on the Northeast and West sides of the MILW yard. Of course, both levels will be connected with the obligatory layout design vehicle - the helix.
During the past few months I have doodled other combinations of real estate. I had considered flipping Plummer and Spokane so Spokane yard was on the upper level. That was decided against since the mainline "loop" in an around the walls fashion on a lower level required a duckunder or "bridge." Also, I believe yard operations conducted on a lower level using chairs on rollers makes more sense than a layout at 41 inches, meaning Spokane can successfully reside on the lower level. I also considered Spokane yard on one level, with Metaline Falls and Usk, plus Couer D'Alene as vignettes on the opposite level, but decided against it for more play value in terms of "jobs" with the Spokane/Plummer concept. Additionally the current concept better meets another one of my wants which is equipment variety, and having a place for that equipment to go.
Thread 3. Layout room prep. Even without having a firm plan for the layout, I have been trying hard to prepare for building. I sold off a handful of models online and to friends to generate cash for lumber. I have moved the hot water heater to a place that makes more sense for the house and a layout, while also moving water lines away from the layout space and to create shorter runs and faster hot water in the house. Excess wire and old(!) gas lines were removed from the ceiling that were installed when my home was constructed.
Most importantly, I have studs up on 3 walls and am ready for benchwork on those walls!
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