scan0023.jpgThe Wabash in Ontario

In the fall of 2008 I had the privilege of being able to visit Bill Darnaby’s layout, The Maumee Route. The experience had a profound effect on me and caused me to rethink everything I was attempting to do in my own layout building adventures.

After some careful thinking about options of basement space, prototypes and locales, I settled upon modeling something that was in my own backyard. The Wabash had a significant operation across Ontario that was just begging to be modeled.

I’ve decided to model the Buffalo Division from Aylmer east to Cayuga. By building a two level layout, I will be able to model a number of the towns along the route as well as signature locations like the Tillsonburg viaduct. A portion of the main is shared with the Hagersville Sub of the CNR. Since I’m modeling 1951 it will be neat to see the little CNR Moguls beside the Wabash paired F-7 lashups.

I’ll be posting construction photos as work progresses.

Click on images for larger view.

Building a new layout is an adventure. Particularly when an old layout is in the way. Some clever planning was required to get things to a point where work could progress forward. 2 new walls were built to support the layout sections in the middle of the room.

The layout levels are all supported on commercial shelf brackets. A fast and simple solution. The basic benchwork is then a 1 x 2 framework which rests on top and then 1/2" plywood subroadbed and Homasote roadbed.

The helix is a 30' radius with 4" between levels which gives a grade of just over 2%. Construction is straight forward. A series of plywood arcs were cut and slots cut in the ends for a biscuit joiner.

The roadbed is Homasote ripped to width and slotted to allow it to be bent to the desired radius. A series of 1 x 2 verticals have small angle brackets screwed on at the correct elevations and the roadbed is laid on top. Track is laid as the helix progresses. The helix and the staging yards are the only commercial track being used.

Aylmer, Ontario

The first station being built on the layout coming out of the westend staging is Aylmer, Ontario. This little town hosts the coaling plant that was used up until the line was dieselized in 1951.

All the track is handlaid. And all the turnouts are built using the Fast Tracks system.

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/

All the turnouts are controlled using Fast Tracks newest product, The Bullfrog.

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/bullfrog-manual-turnout-control-assembled-p-8577.php

The train shown is the first trains run on the layout on July 29, 2009 after an excellent work session with some of my buddies.

Red Ball #82 east bound overtakes Mixed #356 at Aylmer

                                                  The Tillsonburg Viaduct

Along the right of way there are a number of large steel viaducts that bridge the ravines and creeks that flow into Lake Erie. One of the largest is located is located just to the SW of Tillsonburg. At nearly a kilometre long it is something to behold.

Space restrictions required that I could model only a very short portion of the bridge. At a little over 4' in length I'm pleased with the results to date. I used Micro-Engineering kits for the bridge components. The abutments were cast up from field measurements of the prototype and the footings were purchased from ModelRail Stuff. http://www.modelrailstuff.com/

The actual model will not be fixed into place until all of the scenery and backdrops work is done

Tillsonburg CPR Interchange Yard

Immediately to the east of the viaduct is a modest interchange yard with the CPR. Space restrictions required that I build this yard on the curve, though the prototype is indeed straight. Today that yard is used by Trillium Railway and the diamond has been removed. The modle diamond was built using a Fast Tracks jig.

Simcoe

This was actually the first town site I built for the layout. A large bulkhead in the basement would have made laying track under this near impossible if I had attempted it at the proper level. So I built it on top of the lower staging yard, then lifted the whole unit into place.

The station at Simcoe in later years was moved from Renton to Simcoe when the original burned. Just east of this location is Simcoe Jct where the trains from Hamilton continue their run south to Lake Erie and clearing the Cayuga Sub for the Red Balls.

Renton

This location was mostly a train order station with a coal dealer and a stock pen. I decided to not make the passing siding long enough for a Red Ball, but it is long enough to hold one of the mixed trains that run along the line.

Jarvis

Here was the junction between the Cayuga Sub and the Hagersville Sub and where the daily mixed from St Thomas stopped and turned and then headed for home. There's a 2 track staging yard that will be against the wall behind a back drop and the Cayuga Sub will turn to the right as it heads for Fort Erie. Only part of the wye is modeled, again for space considerations.