Section 15 - Basalt - Part 1

Its time to layout the Basalt Sand and Gravel section. The layout design given and druthers of this section is indentified in Station 15 Basalt.

Layout Design Elements

The Basalt Sand and Gravel section adjoins the Coal Grove section to the north and the Satsop River section to the south . It has eight scenic elements (from backdrop to fascia):

1. A mid-distant hillside,with a basalt cliff.
2. A sand and gravel processing plant with product piles.
3. A spur track leading to an industrial lead serving the sand and gravel industry.
4. A main line, a primary siding track and an auxiliary siding.
5. An embankment located along the front fascia.
6. A stream that traverses from the rear of the section to the fascia. 
7. Two bridges, one on the main line and one on the industry spur track.
8. A MOW section sited near the north switch.
   

Section Construction

See the WWSL section construction reference page for the construction technique. 

Basalt is a two section set. The first section (15a) is a standard 2 foot by 8 foot section. The second section (15b) is a 2 foot by 5 foot section. Section 15b is necessary to give proper length to the main line and passing siding, and also acts as a view block between Basalt and Coal Grove.

ROW Design Considerations 

The most critical design considerations on this module is the location of the industrial lead. Its location determines the location of the main line, a  primary siding track and an auxiliary siding. Placing the industrial lead at 12 inches from the fascia permits both main line running and industrial switching.

3. The curved main line from Satsop River places the Basalt main line at 7 inches from the fascia. This allows easy viewing and access. It must be at least seven feet in length (the longest standard operational train length).
 

The primary siding track must be located between the main line and the industry for effective car movement. This places the track at 10 inches from the fascia (the First (Northern) Division is electrified and requires cantenary pole placement. It must also be at least 7 feet in length (the longest standard operational train length). 

The auxiliary track is a scenic element with some operating value but will be primarily vignette in nature. It can be located closest to the fascia. The WWSL technical specification requires a minimum 4 inches from the fascia. There is no specific length required but should be at least 3 feet in length to allow for several cars to be located there for miscellaneous reasons (bad order, water cars during fire season, work train, etc.).

 
4. The industrial spur must be accessed from the primary siding track. In the WWSL history this track is the old logging spur track going back into the timber. For present day operational requirements, it must be at least 3 foot in length to allow pick up and delivery of up to 6 40 foot cars to the industry. 

Off of the industrial spur is the Basalt Sand and Gravel industrial lead. The lead services three industry sidings: 2 processed gravels spurs and one processed sand spur. In this case, the industrial lead is approximately 6 foot in length, the industry sidings a minimum of 2 feet (processed gravel) and 4 feet (processed sand) respectively.
 

8. I pulled up a construction diagram of a timber trestle built by the Canadian Pacific for the main line bridge. See 4.1.9.6 Basalt Bridge N6a for construction details.

 
I found a temporary timber bridge made of tree trunks in the 1920's to be used as a scenic element for the industry spur bridge. Operationally this bridge is out of service. See 4.1.9.6 Basalt Bridge N6b for construction details.

Laying out the Right of Way

I am not going to go into great detail about putting down the roadbed lines. See the Right of Way Reference Page  for the details if you haven't had the fun of doing it before. 

Essentially you're going to follow this process: 

1. Lay out the main line at the seven inch line.
2. Lay out the primary siding track at the ten inch line.
3. Lay out the auxiliary track at the four inch line.
4. Lay out the transition template for the mainline/primary siding track switch.
   
5. Lay out the main line curve and turnout.
   
6. Lay out the north passing siding turnout.
   
7. Lay out the industrial spur.
   
8. Layout the industrial lead at 12 inches, the sand track at 14 inches and the gravel loader tracks at nine and seven inches.
9. Locate the abutments and piers for both bridges (to include heights).
   

Track Standard.

The WWSL 1st Division is designated Class B main line. See See 4.2.11.2  Modeling Technique for Medium Profile Roadway for details.

The WWSL auxiliary track is designated a storage track. See 4.2.11.8  Modeling Technique for Storage Track for details.

The WWSL industrial spur and all the Basalt Sand and Gravel trackage is designated an Industrial Lead or Spur Track. See 4.2.11.7 Modeling Technique for Industrial Lead or Spur Track for details.

Main line to primary siding turnouts are Common Standard #6.  All industry turnouts are Common Standard #5.

Lay out the turnouts

The WWSL engineering department has authorize an non - Common Standard #6.5 Code 100 curved turnout for the south Basalt mainline to passing track. I have to ensure that the normal route leg of the turnout (26 inch radius) aligns with the primary siding track layout line at 10 inches, and the divergent leg of the turnout aligns with the main track layout line at 7 inches.

I laid out the maximum train length templates along the passing siding and main line. I have the WWSL common standard #6 turnout templates to locate main line to passing track turnouts, and main line to auxillary siding.

I have a WWSL common standard #5 turnout to locate the industrial spur set out track. Its divergent angle conveniently angles the interchange track with the Basalt Sand and Gravel industrial lead. Basalt Sand and Gravel owns and maintains its own trackage, and uses the WWSL Common Standard #5 turnout.

Lay out the structures

Modeled portion includes sand plant and silos, a fuel storage facility, and a 2 track gravel loader. The remainder of the plant is east and south of the section and is not modeled. I created structural footprints for all the structures anticipated to be used on the section. While i was doing this I realized that I had omitted drawing in the sand house spur track. I've got to remember to add that to the track design plan. Once I have placed the gravel loading platform footprint along the industrial lead / sand track, I can finalize the two track spurs servicing the loading platform. 

A MOW section is conveniently sited near the north switch.

In the next blog (Section 15 - Basalt - Part 2) I will discuss the Landform Design Considerations.