blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
 | | 01/11/2008 11:42 AM |
| Original Phase II Plan:
This was the 2005 plan for both Phase II (1:29) and Phase III (1:20.3)
Among the prominent features that was never built was the Princess Hotel model which I drew up in 2004-05. It will eventually be constructed in the location shown, but priorities have changed and its creation will have to wait. The princess model is a 1:30 drawing, approximately 12 1/2 feet long. Although the drawing is not wholly complete, it will eventually become reality.
The Healy open pit coal mines are part of the longer term Phase II-a plan for the segment which will eventually go to the ground. However, before this part is constructed, the Phase III segment will have to be built.
The same applies to the Loop District and the Cordova Roundhouse. The Loop District was the historic trestle system at approximately mile 50 of the AKRR out of Seward which enabled the railroad to gain elevation through a narrow valley which included a protruding glacier. It was quite spectacular and is well worth rebuilding in model form, especially since one of the two trestles was an over-under bridge.
The idea was to use this historic feature to bring the Phase II railroad down to the ground. That is now put off into the more distant future.
Petty Coat Junction is a familiar name from an early television series that I assigned to a point on the proposed Phase II line where I intended to build a small model town of some type. As it turned out, this became the location for the Cicely model.
The point which shows "Cicely" will not be used for that purpose. It is possible that another model town will eventually be built there, but not any time soon. More likely, I will install a switch at this point and begin a heading a branch line off to the ground. The turn-around loop here is at the closest point to the ground since there is a high feature to the immediate north (right) of the loop.
The green line is the Phase I project which was completed in 2001 with the addition of the model town of McCarthy in 2003.
The black line for the Phase II proposal was built exactly as shown in this plan. No alterations were made to it.
The locations for Dawson City, Klondike City, Grand Forks and Sulfur Springs are approximately correct for the proposed Phase III model for which some work will begin in the upcoming summer season.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/12/2008 11:01 AM |
| The two most critical parts of the contemplated Phase II line were the turn-arounds on the extreme ends of the rail lines. The far western end where the track left the bar required a wye. I had always wanted one anyway. It was a feature that was not possible to build on my original layout due to the large amoung of space it required.
I knew I had room with the new layout, but even then because of the overhead design, this was going to be tight. It would also require a lot of support structure--all of it seven feet above the ground. I hired a kid to hand dig the various post holes to a depth of two feet. This is riverbed ground--very good for supporting fence posts but somewhat difficult to dig.
All of those treated 4 X 4s are held in place by concrete. There was always the problem that these would move over time. In fact, one of them did, but the basic structure remained unaffected. By July of 2006 I had my wye support structure in place. The top end was 51 feet across--the minimum necessary to enable the passenger trains to clear the last switch before backing into the bar.
As you can see from this photo, the train heads out of the bar on the left, immediately turns right and then heads down the mainline. When it returns, it heads left, clears the last switch, and then backs into the bar.
This required very high quality switches. I am using a number 6 Llagas switch where the wye splits at the end of the mainline and two number 8 switches at the top ends of the wye.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/12/2008 11:04 AM |
| The problem is that now that I have this wye, the only way to turn a train around on the west (bar) end is to back it all the way into the bar itself. Before I go into full operation, I need to continue the end of the wye as a long loop back to the Cicely model structure.
That tie-in, which you see as the red line on the left, will require installing more posts and more structure, but it has to be done in order to facilitate a smooth train operation.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| |
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/12/2008 3:23 PM |
|
The floor (3/4 inch composite board) of the Cicely model was placed on 12 inch TGI supports spanning the fence to the south and the new 4 X 4 posts to the north. The Phase II rail line to the right is on a slight downhill slope as it heads east. The floor was made level with track grade on the eastern (distant) end. This means that on the near (west) end the floor is below track grade. With this view you can see the track going into its turn to the south where it begins its turn-around.
The Cicely model structure rests over the original driveway entrance to the CRD, which in those days was the Copper Center Bar. I eliminated this drive in 2000, fencing it off so I could build the Kennecott model structure (from where this photo was taken). Because of the location the ground is well compacted and this structure will be very stable. My post hole digger--the laborer seen in the previous post--had to break through the old blacktop pavement in order to set the new posts.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/12/2008 3:44 PM |
|
My plans for this structure specified a difference of two inches floor elevation lengthwise at the middle, with the northern part (left) being higher. This was to accomnmodate special features I intended to build into the model town of Cicely. The Brick model in particular had to be built as a level and a half structure. This split level floor plan is designed to accommodate that.
The levels are divided evenly with six feet north and six feet south with an overall length of 32 feet. Although that sounds like a lot, the model structures I either have on hand or on the drawing board fill almost the entire space.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| |
ThinkerT
Alaska
Foreman
Posts:203
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 2:38 PM |
| | So...with this turning the 'Wye' into a giant reverse loop...are you going to try to fit a new ...'city'... module or two 'behind' the Kennecott module or 'caddy corner' to the Cicely module? Off the return loop itself, - not the coal mine spur from 'Cicely'. | | | |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 4:18 PM |
| Posted By ThinkerT on 01/13/2008 2:38 PM
So...with this turning the 'Wye' into a giant reverse loop...are you going to try to fit a new ...'city'... module or two 'behind' the Kennecott module or 'caddy corner' to the Cicely module? Off the return loop itself, - not the coal mine spur from 'Cicely'.
The wye extension will convert the wye into a loop that will head to the rear of the Kennecott housing structure, then intersect the Phase II line just west of the Cicely model structure. However, this line runs along the north side of both buildings, placing it nearly completely in the dark and cold for almost all of the year.
In fact, neither the Kennecott model structure nor the Cicely one have doors or windows on this side, although that is about to change as you will soon see.
However, this is a poor location for model structures, except that I have allowed room below the area of the new track extension for the Healy Coal Company open pit mine.
Except for the mining feature and some adjoining track, no other features will likely be placed in this area--and that is assuming I ever construct the Healy open pit coal mine.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 4:24 PM |
| Rear of the Kennecott Model Housing Structure facing East
This structure was built in 2000. The Cicely structure beyond it was built in 2007. Neither one has any north-facing windows or access. However, with my decision to add a track loop back to the Cicely model, I will alter this situation somewhat. This photo was taken from the deck. The plan now is to connect this deck with the one you see on the far end of the red building. (Click).
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 4:33 PM |
| For years I have used this deck for access to Kennecott models area. It has not been publicly-accessible. There are no handrails and the inside is not properly setup for foot traffic. However, I have decided to extend the walkway along the north side of this building and add an exit door about halfway down this new walkway. What that will do is allow flow-through for viistors who will for the first time be able to view this model from INSIDE the building.
The new four-foot wide deck will have both handrails and an extension of the overhead canopy to protect the walkway and visitors using it. The handrails will extend all the way around and a new canopy will be built over the front (west) end of this structure as well. (Click).
This is also allow for the attachment of the new Phase II extension rail.
These latest photos were taken today. It was minus 25 F out there.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 4:46 PM |
| The new pathway through the Kennecott model structure
Not only will this new plan allow much better public access to the existing Kennecott model, it will provide an ideal pathway to the Cicely model structure.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 4:54 PM |
| The walkway will terminate in a set of stairs to bring the visitors back to ground level.
On the other end, I will add one more access door on the back of the Cicely model structure to complete the flow-through access so people can keep moving without forcing those behind them to turn back.
At this corner, access already exists to the glass front of this model housing structure,which will complete the visitor circuit. From there they can readily return to the adjacent beer garden area which is immediately below the Kennecott model structure.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 5:01 PM |
| Return-loop track intersection point:
I will place a wide-angle switch just ahead of turntable pit which will then complete this segment.
This is the northern line, which is brass. It will connect back into Llagas track by means of a set of Llagas blenders. All of this will be accomplished more or less simultaneously.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 5:10 PM |
| Posted By ThinkerT on 01/13/2008 2:38 PM
So...with this turning the 'Wye' into a giant reverse loop...are you going to try to fit a new ...'city'... module or two 'behind' the Kennecott module or 'caddy corner' to the Cicely module? Off the return loop itself, - not the coal mine spur from 'Cicely'.
To get back to your question, I have no plans to add other modules to the Phase II model. However, I have always considered the eastern loop to be the most likely place for any significant elements which might be added at a later date.
Instead I intend to jump into the Phase III narrow gauge KMR project in which I have contemplated three towns and one mining camp to be placed close to ground level. This will be discussed in my other on-going thread. | |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 6:08 PM |
| The CRD in '97
This was how the bar looked before I began the BIG model railroad project. In those days the front drive was still open. I closed this area off in 2000 in order to build the Kennecott model structure. It went right over the spot where the truck is seen.
That railroad model did more to transform the appearance of this property than any other single project.
| |
| |
|
ThinkerT
Alaska
Foreman
Posts:203
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 7:45 PM |
| | Hmmm...if I understand things correctly, then 'reverse loop' part of your 'Wye' will be right next to your walkway exiting the Kennecott building and at just about the same elevation...give or take a foot? Not only that, said walkway would run parallel to the reverse loop for...fifteen? twenty? feet before dropping. Seems like to good of an opporunity to put *something* to pass up. | | | |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 7:56 PM |
| Posted By ThinkerT on 01/13/2008 7:45 PM
Hmmm...if I understand things correctly, then 'reverse loop' part of your 'Wye' will be right next to your walkway exiting the Kennecott building and at just about the same elevation...give or take a foot? Not only that, said walkway would run parallel to the reverse loop for...fifteen? twenty? feet before dropping. Seems like to good of an opporunity to put *something* to pass up.
I see your point. If a long enough line runs parallel to the new back walkway, it does make sense to set up another area to add structures. They would have to be under an extension of the proposed canopy, of course, or the snow coming off that roof would wipe it all out. That's heavy snow on the north side.
At your suggestion, I will definitely give this some thought.
Thank you for the idea.
--Ron in CC | |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
Send Message
| | 01/13/2008 11:18 PM |
| The Phase II Wye in Winter
Three more months. With a little luck and some selective global warming, perhaps this can be available for use a little earlier, bringing the ALCAN-EX-Con back into service. Shot taken 13 January 2008.
Those three taller posts in the background are treated 4 X 6s that are there to hold the structure which will eventually house the 12-foot-plus long Copper River Princess Wilderness Hotel 1:30 scale model. It will rest approximately three feet above track grade, facing east just like the prototype up the hill.
No, that model does not exist yet.
| |
| |
|
SteveC
Moderator
Conductor
Posts:891
Send Message
| | 01/14/2008 12:12 AM |
| Hey Ron,
Your project is coming along very nicely, the pictures are beautiful all of them, and the diagrams and descriptions of why, what, & how you are doing really help people become part of your large scale railroad world.
Just a thought, have you given any thought to using the MLS Builder's Logs (Blogs) feature available in the new forum software. It would provide better continuity to the project(s) while keeping the viewer comments separate from the blog. Another nice feature of the blogs are they also provide for RSS feeds.
Not trying to push one way or another, cause like many other MLS members I'll follow your posts wherever you place them. Even though I don't always post a reply.   
Builder's Logs
MLS menubar > Features > Builder's Logs | | | |
|