Update on Barry's Railroad Revamp Progress

Update on Barry's Railroad Revamp Progress

Over the past few days Barry has sent me a number of images showcasing the progress of his revamping of his railroad.  Below is his message my way including images.

Hi Mike,  I figured it was about time I sent you some pictures from my re-construction project on my railway.  The demolition was almost complete in the fall, thanks to the wonderful weather; however, this spring has not been so co-operative.  There are about 5 or 6 sets, all moving from West to East.   I will describe each picture as I go.

Everything in all pictures was rebuilt from the ground up, and I'm sure you can appreciate how difficult that is when retrofitting as opposed to rebuilding as new.  My other obstacle has been to have absolutely no help this spring.  My friend Steve hasn't been able to make it so far this year.

***Special Request From Barry***

Before I start, would you be willing to put a note at the beginning of your blog asking if a small work party might be willing to come down and give me a hand for a day - any day - within the next month or so.  You will see as I get half way to the mountain, etc. there is a lot of re- and new construction to be done.  It would be a wonderful help.

By the way, the new, "roundy-round" track has been a major challenge in design and build, but I have been able to design it so there is only one interaction, similar to the "diamond" in Ottawa between Belleville and Mount Kamaryn.  The continuous running (roundy-round) will give spectators the chance to watch or drive a passenger train independently from the operating layout.  If a crew is available, they can stop at each station.

At the interchange, the passenger train will always have priority.  It would be nice if someone would like to provide the signalling system like you have in Ottawa.

My goal is to have trains running by the end of this month with "red tags" on certain passing sidings and priority given to operations. 

The chunky pieces of grass came mostly from the expanded "Sandra Bypass" in the eastern district.  

The "Cora's Corner" turning "Y" has been covered in with grass as well.  

The nearly constant rains have been good for the grass, but not so good for the project.  

The turning Y has been replaced by a turntable nicely designed inside the sweeping curve of the new continuous running track just outside of the Ottawa station.  

You can see the caboose sitting on it in the two pictures below.

Passenger trains coming out of Ottawa can head Westbound via Orleans station or Eastbound by heading past the turntable towards Belleville.  

I had a lot of fun designing this rather busy interchange.

One tap from the turntable serves the passenger train, and the other Quinte West and Belleville and beyond.

There is still some finishing details to be done around the turntable.

Here is the second set of pictures heading from the turntable area to the new Quinte West and beyond to the Belleville location.

Here we see the approach to a passing siding for passenger trains to pass in opposite directions just west of Quinte West.

This is the east end of the above passing siding.  

The short "jog" allows me to use more curved tracks because I am still short of straights.

Quinte West is roughed in.  

On the left are the passenger train rails.  

On the right, you can see the new passenger train track passing Orleans station.

Quinte West.

Here is the "roughed in Belleville Station" with the passenger line closest to the back fence.  

It is indeed very rough, and I decided to completely remove everything and properly rebuild the support structure.  

It is extremely difficult to get everything level without having someone else to hold the other end of an 8' deck board and get the footings all perfectly level at all four corners of each section.  

The finished product will be seen in future pictures.

This is the east end of the Belleville yard.  

It will be extended by another 3' to allow adding the new Vollenwyder Cheese Factory and associated sidings.

That is my shadow as I am facing east.  

It gives a hint of the new passenger line as it has exited the tunnel and will curl back and head for Cumberland.  

On the right hand side the two sidings for Craig's Transfer will actually be moved around the curve to permit a passing track for that industry.

A wider view showing the new double-tracked Sandra Bypass on with the service track for Naismith's Logistics.

This whole "district" needs a lot of work and construction will still be progressing with operations already happening.

The next group of images should show most of the construction completed, and hopefully some of the tidying up and gardening aspects.  

You can see from these pics that there is a lot of finishing to do - a lot perhaps while operations are ongoing.

This pair of shots were intended to feature the new Sandra Bypass and alternative route via the relocated Craig's Transfer, but the second picture gives the idea that the new passenger route from the mountain tunnel to Cumberland Station should look pretty cool when completed.

And finally you will notice that the oversized mulberry tree is gone, leaving what should be a very attractive look over Cumberland Station to Belleville Yard in the distance.

I do look forward to seeing many of you this summer, if not before!

Thanks Barry for sending along these great looking images of your progress.

If any of our OVGRS members are interested in heading up to Belleville for a workday feel free to send him a message.

We are the OVGRS of Belleville & Ottawa, Ontario, Canada