N Scale Union Pacific Railroad - Class I Midwest Model Railroading

2025-11-01T20:06:00.001-05:00

2024-02-18T15:17:00.000-06:00

Interesting Operations Documents:

2023-06-18T05:59:00.003-05:00

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2022-07-24T10:41:00.001-05:00

UPRR Evanston Sub Track Plan

2022-06-26T12:08:00.002-05:00

As of July 10, 2022

Access Template

2022-04-03T16:50:00.000-05:00

Progress around the Rochelle Railroad Park.

2020-03-14T06:34:00.002-05:00

River Forest Metra Station

2020-03-14T06:30:00.007-05:00

A few pictures of work completed in River Forest.

Rochelle Comes Alive

2019-12-07T16:06:00.002-06:00

Work is progressing nicely in Rochelle. Below is an update video and a google maps view of the prototype. In order for it to fit in the layout space available I rotated the crossing and tracks about 60 degrees clockwise.

TRACK PLAN!!!!

2019-11-17T05:16:00.001-06:00

With huge thanks to Jim Petr, I am finally posting a detailed track plan of the UPRR Geneva Sub. The drawing is the complete work of Jim. I just provided information, pictures and a few videos.

White Road Stripes

2019-10-28T09:06:00.002-05:00

I was reminded by a YouTube viewer about white stripes along the edge of the road. After checking googlemaps, his observation was confirmed, So, I added them. Definitely adds to the scene.

Rochelle BNSF/UP Interchange Area Update

2019-10-27T12:48:00.005-05:00

The pictures speak for themselves.

Global III Check Out Booth

2019-10-02T15:00:00.000-05:00

Check on/out booths have been detailed with crossing arms, computer tech, stop signs, etc.

Progress at Global III Intermodal Yard

2019-09-02T15:09:00.003-05:00

Quite a bit of progress has been made at the Global II intermodal yard. Work has continued at the Global III entrance/exit area and even more work has been completed on the Global II engine maintenance facilities.

First a look at the engine facilities. Concrete surfaces have been added using styrene sheets. Also, added are Synder fueling cranes, a sanding tower and additional details.

For the Global III entrance/exit area, a second set of video shed and truck booth has been constructed and both sets have been painted. In the picture below, the foreground set is for trucks entering the yard while the background set if for trucks leaving the yard.

This view is from the other direction. The foreground set is for departing trucks while the background is for arriving trucks. The exit driveway is off camera lower left.

Chain link fencing has also been added.

Track Plan (sort-of)

2019-07-26T10:49:00.000-05:00

I have needed a track plan for the Geneva Sub II since the layout was moved from Rochelle to Atlanta. Here's a start! The track plan shows how the layout from Rochelle was cut up and re-positioned in out home in ATL. I still need someone to fill in the rest of the trackage that has been added, including the staging yard. I can send aerial photos of the tracks to assist. Let me know if you are interested.

Global 3 Check-In Booth

2019-07-17T21:45:00.000-05:00

After getting the pavement extended for Global 3, work has begun on constructing the check-in and check-out structures. While visiting family in Chicago suburbs, I was able to get away for a morning to head over to Rochelle and click some pictures of the prototype. I also did some research via truckers YouTube videos on entering and existing intermodal yards. Satellite photos were also very helpful. Here are a few of the pictures of Global 3 from the ground and from space.

It took a lot of trigonometry and the use of a hip roof calculator, but I was able to get the hip roof calculated and cut out. I first used card stock to test the fit before cutting out the plastic for the final assembly. I used some left over pieces from a micro engineering engine house kit for the standing seam roof. The prototype is five lanes wide, but I reduced the size for a four lane unit.

Here are some more photos.

Weekly Video Posts on Youtube

2019-07-06T07:27:00.002-05:00

Last Sunday, June 30, 2019, the Geneva Sub began a weekly video series on continuing construction and operations on the UPRR Geneva Subdivision. Below is a link to last Sunday's post. This Sunday's video will premiere 10:30 am EST.

Retirement = Increased Modelling Production

2019-06-10T13:13:00.002-05:00

After 40 years in education, I have officially retired. Among other life changes, this will give me more time to devote to the UPRR Geneva Subdivision. I have a ton of projects lined up that I will document the best I can. I will document on this blog and also via my YouTube channel. The goal will be to post weekly updates on layout progress. Breaks in the weekly postings should only be interrupted by travel.

First project is modifying two Fox Valley Models GP60 in SP/SSW paint to patched Union Pacific units. These two unit will serve as Global III switchers.

Here are the models after adding Micro-scale decals. Up next will be weathering. These units were built in the early 90s and were still in operation in 2016. So, a lot of wear.

Before I started, I did some research on the models and came up with a number of photos from which to work.

Weathering Frenzy

2018-10-29T11:24:00.002-05:00

   I've been on a weathering frenzy for the past few months. In all, I have weathered 14 locomotives, 63 general freight cars, and 56 crude oil tank cars. That's a lot of wreathing. How did I get into a situation where I had so much non weathered rolling stock? Well, it all started about 6 years ago when to weather by rolling stock with an airbrush. I never really had any luck with acrylics and found the enamel paint much easier to work with. When the Floquil line was discontinued, my weathering discontinued as well. Although my weathering had stopped, purchases of new rolling stock continued. So, I ended up with a large number of non weathered rolling stock.

   With larger and larger amounts of rolling stock non weathered, the look of the layout suffered. So, I finally broke down, purchased some Model Master acrylic paints and began experimenting with wreathing techniques. Back when I painted the track on the layout, I purchase a new compressor and airbrush. My old compressor was small and cheap when I got it 20+ years ago and was not putting out air like it used to. The new compressor really made a big difference as I quickly found out that my issues with acrylic paint was due mainly to a lack of sufficient air flow. After a few practice tries on some old throw away cars, I felt confident enough to get started on the real thing.

   Below are some videos I shot showing my weathering techniques. I did all the weathering in batches. With such a large fleet and a large layout, it is important that these types of task be streamlined to get a good overall look without taking up an enormous amount of time. Maybe someday, when I am retired, I will go back and get more detailed in the weathering. But for now, I got a railroad to build!

I still have a few coal cars and intermodal cars to weather, but very soon I will be moving back to layout construction. There are a lot of areas needing streets, buildings, trees, details, etc. Look for a survey coming soon on which area of the layout to work on next.

Improvements to Lone "Turn-back Curve" on the Geneva Sub

2018-06-02T15:45:00.001-05:00

Turn back curves are locations on layouts where the track makes a complete 180 degree turn in direction. Although almost all layouts have them, they are quite up prototypical in appearance. When the layout was back in Rochelle, IL there were zero turn-back curves on the layout. Here in Georgia, our basement has a narrow, 9' X 22' section where a turn-back curve is unavoidable. So, the challenge is to disguise it a bit by breaking the curve into two sections with a scenery block. I chose to use a small area of woods that are common in northern Illinois. The trees do a great job of breaking up the curve and makes the scene a bit more prototypical looking.

Roads for Elmhurst, IL Metra Station Area

2018-06-02T15:31:00.002-05:00

Roads have been added to the area around the Elmhurst Metra Station. Woodland Scenics paving plaster was used for the road surfaces. Styrene was used for sidewalks and Line O Tape 1/32" pin-striping was used for road lines. A backdrop has also bee added to the area. Road signs, street lights and people will be added next. Lots of work and detailing still also needs to be done on the buildings. Stay tuned!

More Progress on Elmhurst Metra Station

2017-11-26T16:41:00.002-06:00

Made a little more progress on the Elmhurst Metra Station. Added platforms up and down the line from the main station area. Also added striping for the warning area close to the tracks. The kit come with yellow striping stickers, but I opted for some Tamiya striping tape I had on hand. I plan to add a bit of grey paint to the roof edges as I do not like the brown plastic. I also need to add streets, parking lots and landscaping. Plus, quite a bit of weathering. But, its coming along.

Elmhurst Passenger Station

2017-11-20T06:05:00.002-06:00

Just completed assembly of the Kato passenger station kit for use as the Elmhurst Metra station. The kit's prototype is the Schaumberg Metra station, which is larger than the Elmhurst station. However, I felt it was a good match for use in Elmhurst. The kit was a bit expensive, but it is a high quality kit and produces a very nice structure which work nicely as a Metra Station. I especially like the brickwork with mortar. As you can see from the photo, I did not plan real well so the kit extends off the layout. I will build a short "bump out" to support the kit. I also plan to add narrower 3/4" platforms extending in both directions about 12".

More Water Works on the Geneva Sub

2017-11-05T15:49:00.000-06:00

Did some more work on two bridges. I was not happy with the color of the Des Plaines River. It was two black and did not match the color from prototype pictures and did not match the picture I am using for the back drop. So, I repainted it a green/brown color and then added another layer of EnviroTex. I have also added more lighting for the Maywood/Proviso area, so the pictures are of better quality than last time.

For the Fox River, I painted the river a very dark green with brown highlights. This color matches the prototype photo I am using for the backdrop.

Progress on the Des Plaines River Bridge

2017-10-16T04:56:00.000-05:00

I was able to paint the river bottom and apply an EnviroTex clear coat on the Des Plaines River over the weekend. I still need to re paint the fascia and tone down the graffiti a bit. The graffiti looks like it was all painted list night. Busy taggers! They definitely need some weathering.