Station 4 - Smith Canal

Location.

2nd Division

History. The Schafer Brothers Logging Company had a spur line run from Brady to a two track log dump on the Chehelis River.

The alternate history begins when the Saginaw Timber Company persuades the American Pulp and Paper Company to build a pulp and paper mill along their logging line. The STC runs into financial trouble and approaches the WWSL to bail them out. The WWSL manages to persuade the UP/Milw Road to grant trackage rights from South Montesano to Preachers Slough, then acquire the STC trackage from Preachers Slough to Wickwood. The WWSL upgraded the old STC right of way to main line status, built a bridge spanning the Smith Canal, and then built a multi-span bridge across the Chehelis River at its shortest width. 

The UP/Milw joint branch line right of way is simulated, the interchange track at Preacher's Slough is the only visible connection.

Design. 

Smith Canal is a vignette based on several ideas and a couple of photographs.

While reading up on bridges I came across a timber bridge that used retired rails for its stringers. It would work well for the bridge over Smith Canal. 

The single track main track continues on an embankment (the ground along the Chehelis River is flood plain / wetlands /slough)

 

 

 

It then crosses the Chehelis River on a bridge made up of two deck girder bridges and a concrete girder bridge …. and then enters Tunnel S1.

 





 

 

Track Diagram

 Roadway

•  The WWSL mainline is well maintained main line.
  

Scenery. The module is a 43-inch x 5-foot outside curve at the end of the center peninsula. The scenery will consist of:

•  An embankment at the end of the Demaine yard than ends at the edge of Smith Canal.
• A waterway that begins as a narrow stream (canal) and ends as a small river. 
• A embankment (levee) that is the roadway for the main line between Demaine Yard and the Chehelis River Bridge.
• A tunnel that is bored thru a ridgeline that acts as a scenic view block. 

In addition, I'd like to include a second track on the embankment not powered by the layout to act as the programming track for the DCC system. (The DCC system is located directly under this module).

 Catenary/ Signaling

Catenary/Signaling. The WWSL 2nd Division is non-electrified. 

Assuming trackage rights on the real MILW/UP branch line, it would make sense that there would be an automated system. There was an automated crossing at Preachers Slough for interchange with the Saganaw Timber Company. Using that system, I will install dwarf signals just before the Chehelis River bridge and they will be operated by the Dispatcher.

Structures.

• 1- 65 foot wood and rail stringer bridge with one wood and one stone abutment.
• 2 - xx foot deck plate girder bridges with a concrete abutment and two concrete piers
• 1 - 30 foot concrete beam bridge with a concrete abutment.
• 1 concrete tunnel portal with wings
  

REFERENCES