Our GGN layout is inspired by the
prototype GN Railway in the Pacific Northwest, and has the appearance of a class 1
railtoad back in 1959. For those who operate here, however, it takes on the flavor
of a busy prosperous shortline switching lots of industries. Without exception, all
trains - even passenger trains have switching to do. Jim Longs random generated
computer program is used for car forwarding with easy to understand paperwork.
Traffic control is handled by verbal train orders using a phone system, order boards in
every town, and role playing as station agents. A session consists of 19 trains run
in sequential order, but without a time clock. The layout has three aspect (ABS)
trackside signals, but most likely will disregard them and operate as if in dark
territory. The railroad is powered by Dynatrol (PSI) analog carrier control.
The GGN layout is built on two levels of benchwork connected
by a double track helix. During operating sessions, the outside helix track is the
Mainline, and the inside track is used for two staging locations. (During open
house running, the inside helix track is part of a "folded over itself 500'
dogbone show loop" for continuous running.)
The GGN was featured in the 1993 annual issue of Kalmbach's
"GREAT MODEL RAILROADS". The upper logging end of that trackplan 15 yeras
ago was changed to provide a 6 track staging town of Alpine (also a division crew change
point). Many other changes have been made to optimize operations. The layout
is in what were once the living room, dining room, entryway, and hallway of our home.
The tracks are laid out to maximize distances between towns, thus it is not linear
or sincere. An engineer on his first trip across the railroad needs a little
guidance. That's not a problem because there are lots of helpful signs, east and
west railroad directions are posted at each town's control panel, and a system map is on
the back of each clipboard that you will be carrying (with your switchlist).
There are 16 staging tracks to go along with one yard
(Seattle) to povide trains that service the 9 towns (with switching) along a 475' GN
mainline and 75' of branchlines and other railroads. Scenerry is 99.9% complete
(Hydro-electric plant, and a few more details are still to be added.
Directions to the GGN on request. Contact me at: don_bozman@att.net
|
