So, where is Occoquan? And where is that “Team Track” at Jackson? Can you show me in the picture on your site illustrating the “stone path”?
Your railroad is really interesting. Thanks for sharing what you are doing.
Oh no, I didn’t know there was going to be a test! 
Thanks for the interest! OK, until I update my diagram… The team track is right above the “Jackson” label at the top. It’s sort of hard to see, but there are two sidings there. One will have the Produce house, the other the team track. This is a picture of it. The two tracks on the far right are the main and the passing siding at Jackson. The two track in the center are the for the produce house and the team track. On the far left is the track leading to Matheson Textiles - exiting to the mid-left. That’s the Miracle Chair Company at the top. Lower left is the future home of Mills Fuels - there’s a handcar shed there right now.
Occoquan is not labeled. It is along the bottom of the picture, just to the right of Green Springs. Occoquan has the stone mill, now named Smith Pond Mill, and the interchange track (colored in green; it’s used for continuous running when I want to go roundy-round) , and McCown Freight house - the little building SE of the mill. So, the new siding is just to the right of that switch. The stone path is the shaded area on the diagram. This is a shot from April
It looks bigger in the picture than it does on the diagram. Looks real nice, Bruce!
Slick Bruce! That’s really looking nice.
Ken Brunt said:They always make things look bigger in pictures.... it's called airbrushing.... hehehe
It looks bigger in the picture than it does on the diagram. Looks real nice, Bruce!
Bruce, I agree, you drawing does nothing to tell the actual size of the layout… I also thought it was smaller, judging by the drawing… Funny how the mind looks at things that way…
Layout does look great, tho…
Your descriptions certainly did help. So if you start from the switchyard and turntable at the Oak, you go through Occoquan, around the curve to Jackson, turn on the reverse loop and start back. Is there a connection to the outside World? It all looks fantastic.
You’re close on the operations, Ric. But I don’t use the reverse loop for turning; it’s my staging area. In a “typical” session, Train #2 will start in Green Springs Yard. I build the train there, then switch Occoquan. From there, it’s on to Jackson. When Jackson is switched, I move the train towards Lexington and park it on a passing siding. Now, Train #1 has been set up in Lexington with all the cars it needs. It switches Jackson, then Occoquan, and finally ends up in Green Springs. If I want to run both trains at once, I typically schedule a meet in Occoquan. The outside world is connected in Occoquan - on the interchange track (the green one.). But, there is also connection via Lexington. In my world, I don’t model all of the J&B. It continues past Lexington. Actually, it continues through Green Springs as well, but it’s modeled as a stub end yard. OK. Here’s a large diagram, but at least you can read the labels.
I like that switch back arrangement on the sidings in Jackson. Interesting set of moves there…
Yes indeed. I was originally going to make trains up that only had trailing points to switch. But, then Doug showed up and had me do a local move from Mills Fuels to Miracle Chair Company. Interesting, and I was hooked! Now I’ve got it set up so that all of my trains switch all of the industries.
Just curious, what app did you use to draw your trackplan?
Yep, that’s the one. It’s really made for sectional track. It does do flex track, but it’s not as easy as I’d like. So, at best, that is just an approximation.
Of course the real truth is that I’m just not willing to spend a lot of time learning the product.
Ken Brunt said:Thats just an EVIL place to work......ya really have to think about 5 moves ahead when ya got several cars to sort and stash! Almost as bad as working the siding INSIDE the wye at Ric's!
I like that switch back arrangement on the sidings in Jackson. Interesting set of moves there..........;)
Heck, if it was easy anyone could do it…
Yeah, that place does make you think. Now, with TrainOps I could make it so each train has only the trailing points to switch…but how much fun would that be? 
"The outside world is connected in Occoquan - on the interchange track (the green one.). "
You said Occoquan and Lexington on the green track are the Interchange. That makes sense. Not really know how TrainOPs works, but thinking in RailOps terms, that trakc becomes a destination? Have you thought of calling that track “Occoquan Junction” and “Lexington Junction”? That way it would be a formal place to send and recieve cars. I like the idea.
I don’t know if you’ve ever paid attention to it, but there is a track in the Craig Leigh Yard that has always been the interchange track for parts off the railroad. The “Rat Portage Interchange” used to be like that until they expanded the Interchange capability.
I’ve always thought of the KVRwy as a branch line of old trackage that is basically a point to point bit of trackage connecting at Fiddle like the EBT is to the PA at Mt. Union. It all works when you have a source of equipment coming on and off the railroad. If nothing else but in your head.
I’ve really enjoyed studying this trackage and your “Log”.
Along with construction comes maintenance.
After cleaning out leaves and mowing the lawn, it was time to see how the track survived the winter.
I brought my box cab out and put it on the track. As it was going across the trestle and bridges, I noticed it was sort of bumpy. A close examination showed that many of the spikes had popped up. So, out came the hammer and nailset; it was tedious, but they’re all in place for now.
I also noticed that I need to re-stain my woodwork, so I’ve put that on the list of to do.
Aside from that, the train ran nicely, with no derailments caused by track problems! I really appreciate this ladder method.
A bit of winter damage. The laurels down near Greensprings yard didn’t make it.
First order of business was to remove them.
I still have one to take out, but I ran out of steam. I’ve also got to trim some of the growth back from the yard itself. Since this opened up the view, I wanted to put a barrier, but we haven’t had much luck with plants down there - plus I did want some space to allow movement around Greensprings yard. We decided on a lattice screen.
It’s not quite done. Lowes didn’t have all of the trim pieces we needed. As it was, we went through about 20 pieces of lattice to find 3 that were sort of OK. I need to find a better lumber store.
Is that a seat of contemplation in the corner there? Or at least a handy s[ot to set a beer?
It’s supposed to be a seat…and I think it will act as one. Probably be able to hold a case or two of beer.
I’m seriously thinking of some track that might go along the fence…maybe add an industry or two.