Since I haven’t posted pictures of the whole layout in quite some time and it was all nicely cleaned up for the CR&NW’s first work night last week, I thought I’d show you the state it’s currently in. The track is complete, except for a few spurs and industry tracks that have yet to be positively defined. The backdrop and fascia is 99% complete. The lighting is done, the signaling is 95% done, and track power wiring is 95% done. I’m still installing switch machines at Chitina and Cordova, but that should be done in a week or two. I’ve also posted pictures on the backdrop to inform others and remind myself what some of the scenes are supposed to look like. It’s a combination of my photos from visits over the last decade combined with historic imagery.
Once I get those last few benchwork and electrical to-dos resolved, it’s on to scenery and painting!
To the right as you walk in, Chitina is on the top and Abercrombie is on the bottom. The helix is hidden in the middle.
Walking into the layout. McCarthy/Kennecott are on the upper deck to the right, the Cordova docks on the bottom. In the center are the Million Dollar Bridge (Miles Glacier) on the bottom and the Chitina (third) Copper River crossing on the top.
Looking the other way down the Cordova / McCarthy yards, along with the new Nicolai Jct CTC repeater on the top fascia and McCarthy in the back.
McCarthy on the top, Kennecott on the top left. Cordova on the bottom right. The peninsula sticking out that you can barely see is the Kotsina hill on the top and between Alaganik and Miles Glacier on the bottom.
Looking down the long aisle. Left bottom is Eyak and the fictional smelter complex, top is the run between McCarthy and Chokosna. Right bottom is Katalla Jct, top is South Strelna.
Looking back up the long aisle, Eyak on the bottom right, Gilahina on the upper right. Strelna upper left, Alaganik lower left.
From the stub aisle at the end, the Eyak complex is on the bottom straight ahead, Alaganik on the bottom left, North Strelna on the upper left, and Kuskulana will be immediately to my upper right and out of frame.
The stub aisle at the end of the long aisle. Alaganik at the lower right, North Strelna upper right. Kuskulana upper left (fascia yet to be cut out all the way down) and Mudhole will be in the back left corner.
1 thought on “Layout Update – Jan 22, 2021”
Stefan
I have been reading and surfing all I can about the history of MCarthy, Chitina, Kennecott and the CR&NW RR. In doing so I came across your site. As once a model railroader in HO scale I was pleased to come across your site.
How did you come about wanting to do a layout of that RR? Have you been to the area? It was amazon how people endured during that time is such hash conditions.
Can not wait to see the scenery of this rail road and hopefully video of it once completed.
I have been reading and surfing all I can about the history of MCarthy, Chitina, Kennecott and the CR&NW RR. In doing so I came across your site. As once a model railroader in HO scale I was pleased to come across your site.
How did you come about wanting to do a layout of that RR? Have you been to the area? It was amazon how people endured during that time is such hash conditions.
Can not wait to see the scenery of this rail road and hopefully video of it once completed.