The layout plan for my Spokane-Plummer Milwaukee Road layout has been carefully thought out to include all of the key operating elements that the prototype has in those two towns. Only one or two industries are missing due to space limitations; otherwise the layout is very true to the prototype geography, and in turn, my operations can effectively mimic the prototype.
The plan effectively includes two (2) "and a half" levels of railroad with scenery. The staging that feeds those levels are on different levels of their own - two "additional" levels, to be specific; I am space-challenged so the staging is effectively above and below the visible portion of the layout.
The layout design is built around two "visible" levels (plus a helix bump-out). From top to bottom:
There are two staging yards that represent the Milwaukee Road transcontinental mainline located on both ends of the Plummer scene on the upper level. There is one more staging yard underneath the lower level for the two branchlines that connects to the layout at Dishman. A "shared" helix footprint provides the linkages to and from staging yards, as well as the linkage between the two levels.
The plan effectively includes two (2) "and a half" levels of railroad with scenery. The staging that feeds those levels are on different levels of their own - two "additional" levels, to be specific; I am space-challenged so the staging is effectively above and below the visible portion of the layout.
The layout design is built around two "visible" levels (plus a helix bump-out). From top to bottom:
- Plummer ID on the upper level (see this post for more details)
- Worley ID on the herniated helix "bump out" halfway down the helix.
- Spokane WA (Milwaukee only) on the lower level.
There are two staging yards that represent the Milwaukee Road transcontinental mainline located on both ends of the Plummer scene on the upper level. There is one more staging yard underneath the lower level for the two branchlines that connects to the layout at Dishman. A "shared" helix footprint provides the linkages to and from staging yards, as well as the linkage between the two levels.
The visible lower level has 4 key design elements, all at 34 inches above the floor. They center around the Milwaukee Yard in Spokane. Here is an overview of the prototype:
Here is how all of the above prototype elements lay out (on the lower level) in my roughly 27 X 15 space:
Here are descriptions of the 4 key design elements and how they lay out geographically in my basement:
Here is how all of the above prototype elements lay out (on the lower level) in my roughly 27 X 15 space:
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Here are descriptions of the 4 key design elements and how they lay out geographically in my basement:
- Spokane West Industries - This is the industrial park on the west side of the UP and MILW yards in Spokane, and home to some fairly significant local industry switching on the layout. On the layout, these industries are split between two locations: one is on the East side of my basement, and the other portion is on the North wall. Between the two locations will be a drop bridge or swing gate or lift out to link the two sections together. Additionally, the East wall part of the layout includes the BN interchange tracks hidden behind a backdrop which forms the "end of track" for Milwaukee operations. It requires a reverse move to access it, just like the prototype. Finally, note that this part of the layout is along the aisle with access to the washer and dryer. Also, these industries share the same real estate with Dishman, which is located on the opposite side of the backdrop. Here is how it looks in the plan:
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- Spokane MILW Yard - This is the "large" 10 track yard that was covered in the blog you can view by clicking here. This yard is the class yard that supports all of the locals and industry jobs in Spokane, and links blocks of cars to and from the Milwaukee Road mainline at Plummer (which is on the upper level). This yard is on the West wall.
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- Spokane "Lake Street Spur" - This is an industrial spur that is attached to the yard in real life and in my plan; it serves several key industries to the North of the yard. The spur is notable and necessary because two of the industries are my primary local grain hopper shippers/receivers. This spur is modeled on a very narrow peninsula that protrudes into the center of the room, which mimics the prototype being segregated geographically from the yard area.
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- Dishman WA industrial area - This is located on the same real estate as the East wall Spokane industries, but on the other side of a backdrop / scene divider. In real life, the track here is UP's and MILW has trackage rights over it. Additionally, BN has trackage rights over it as well to pass through, and there was one active BN shipper called "Appleway Fuel" on the former GN/SIE interurban line. I will include that industry for operating interest of BN interference, and because it is a fuel oil dealer. You can never have too many tank cars! Switching at Dishman for the remaining industries is reciprocal UP/MILW and in my operating scheme MILW will switch for UP. There are several industries on this wall, as well as the wye where the UP/MILW line enters the helix to spiral upward toward Worley and Plummer. This is the line that the Plummer turn operates on, which is the key train that links the two primary levels together - it links the Spokane-based operations on the lower level to the mainline operations at Plummer. The other leg of the wye at Dishman heads down the same helix to lower level staging. This route is for two Milwaukee locals: the Metaline Falls job and the Coeur D' Alene turn. You can learn more about these trains by clicking here. Here is the layout design for Dishman:
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Layout Height: The lower level will be at 34" track height. This allows the lower level operator to relax on a "roll" office chair. I have operated at a few layouts where you can sit on various roll chairs and I believe it is a good way to operate, especially on a level that includes a significant amount of yard or industry switching. This also allows a roughly 22 inch gap from lower level rail height to the bottom of the upper level support structure, which will work well for my lower level grain and cement elevators.
The next "level" is really not a level but a herniated "bump out" in the helix located midway between the lower and upper levels - probably at 42" height. This herniated level includes one layout design element:
The next "level" is really not a level but a herniated "bump out" in the helix located midway between the lower and upper levels - probably at 42" height. This herniated level includes one layout design element:
- Worley, ID. Worley has a double-ended industry support track that has a series of country Palouse grain elevators on it. These country elevators found all over the region of Washington state just beg to be modeled, and it is fortuitous that this scene "fits" nicely in a herniated "bump out". The scene is not overly large so it fits nicely here, and it is a great design feature since it is located on the railroad at a point that is midway up the helix between Dishman and Plummer. It is especially relevant since it is effectively the only location between Spokane and Plummer that the Plummer Turn worked on its trip. The local job spotted and pulled grain hoppers at these elevators, which is a car type you can never have too many of, in my opinion. Here is the layout design for Worley as a herniated part of the helix:
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To learn more about my plan for Plummer on the upper level, please revisit the upper level plan here (click).
So, there you have it. The layout plan in one post. During the past six months, I have constructed all of the lower level benchwork except for the Spokane West Industries on the East wall. That is because the staging yard underneath it (representing Metaline Falls and Coeur D'Alene) is not completely wired yet, so I am not ready to cover it. I am now working to patch the broken floor and then paint it. I should have done it sooner, but I wanted to build something!
