Today we’ll enhance our layout by adding some grades to the line and adding some industries, a power plant, and another rail line to service the industries and power plant.

It’s a rare railroad that operates over a level route. The IRTS is no exception. When I originally sketched out the route I just assumed the line would cross the river at two places, more or less at grade, as shown in Day 8 when we placed the bascule bridge near the metropolitan center thus far identified as the Junction. When I got down to placing the second bridge, I decided it would be more interesting to make the second crossing well above the river – in this case 60 feet above. That meant raising the track along the way in order to reach this point. That’s easy enough to do. Just set each track point to an increased or decreased height from the previous one, depending on which way you’re going. Then check the gradient to be sure you’re not changing at an unrealistic rate. A two percent grade is well within reason for this kind of operation.

For the bridge, I used Austin Cable Arch Bridge. The secondary spans make a convenient place to add a standard railroad line to service the industries that we’ll place near the bascule bridge. That area, being near the most populous area on the layout, is just right for some industry and a power plant to energize the rapid transit line. Naturally, the power plant will need fuel, which can be brought in by barge or by rail.


The train is headed down river toward the power plant and bascule bridge.


Power plant in foreground; bascule bridge in the distance.


Some buildings for the industrial area.

I also began building Junction Station and surrounding area along the lines described in Day 2.


Junction Station awaiting a better name.


Cutaway view showing scenery components.

Here are some of the building assets I’ve used so far:

Austin Cable Arch Bridge

Powerstation

Factory 7 1942

Warehouse basic

Factory Complex

Factory Complex 28

Station Metro

AJS Retaining Wall

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