Section 15 - Basalt - Part 2

In the last blog (Module 15 - Basalt Module - Part 1) I identified the layout design elements of the Basalt Module and laid out the roadway lines. 

In this blog I am identifying the scenery construction concept and laying out the landforms.

As a refresher, here are the scenic elements.

1. An intermediate hillside,with a basalt cliff.
2. An embankment dropping toward an unmodeled river located along the front fascia.
3. A stream that traverses from the fascia to the rear of the section. 
4. A forest road that parallels the stream.
5. A hillside is located on the north side of the stream, offset from the backdrop to hint the location of an abandoned logging roadbed.
   

Scenery Design Considerations

Background

The backdrop available for the Basalt section is 22 inches in height. To the south, it will be a continuation of the rain clouds on the Satsop River section. The remainder of the Basalt section will be a two part backdrop: 

•  A blue sky with cumulus clouds suggesting a sunny day. See 5.4.1 Sky  and 5.4.2 Clouds for construction information.

•  An Intermediate hillside. See 5.4.4 Intermediate Hills for construction information. 

Landforms

1. Basalt cliff. This is another example of needing some reinforcement to ensure the scenery is not broken in transport. The hillside is modeled with a 2 inch x 4 inch x 8 foot styrofoam panel glued to an 1/8 " luan panel that anchored to the section with rafter stiffeners. The quarry rock is a series of plaster castings. See 5.5.5 Rock Faces for additional information.  

The treeline is a combination of 3d trees and shrubs. See 5.5.7 Three Dimensional Backgrounds for construction details.

Mid-ground.  Mid-ground is flat ground with undulations suggesting bulldozing for product removal and to provide room for structures and equipment storage.

2. Embankment. Portions of the foreground between the auxiliary track and fascia is flat or sloped downward toward the Satsop River.

4. A dirt road with a improvised gate blocking traffic. See 5.9.1 Dirt Paths and Roads for construction details.

5. Intermediate hillside. This intermediate hillside begins the ridge line introducing the Coal
Grove section. Angled into the backdrop, the gap suggests the old Camp 9 right of way (now overgrown). The hillside is modeled with a 2 inch x 4 inch x 8 foot styrofoam panel. Hints of coal seams.

Waterways

3. The stream bed is multi-level with several small waterfalls. Dirt banks, gravel and small rocks in the stream. Water is created by Modge Podge. See 5.8.2 Streams for construction details.

Ground Cover

1. The areas where the sand and gravel company sand plant sits on flat land between the Satsop River and the hillside. Modeled portion includes sand plant and silos, a fuel tank, and a 2 track gravel loader. Production areas will be be gravel and dirt as appropriate. Some undulation will be formed with sculptamold.  

Vegetation

Mid-distance hillside has ground cover, shrubs, small trees.

Embankment has dirt, grass and weeds. 

Waterways

3. The stream bed is multi-layered with several small waterfalls. Dirt banks, gravel and small rocks in the stream. Water is created by Modge Podge. See 5.8.2 Streams for construction details.

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 main line, a primary siding track and an auxiliary siding.
4. A spur track leading to an industrial lead serving the sand and gravel industry.
   
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 six 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.
 

7. 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.

8. The main line bridge is a skewed timber trestle. 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.

 

Laying out the Structures

 

I am not going to go into great detail about laying out the structures. See the 10.0.3 Structure Layout Technique for the specific details.

The Basalt Sand and Gravel industrial site is located in a river valley and parallel to a shallow river. Prototypically it would be a long and narrow industrial site. 

I am modeling only one portion of the portion of the industrial site: the product delivery area. The primary and secondary industrial areas (gravel pit, crushing plant, and cleaning and sorting areas) are east and south of the Basalt section and not modeled. The conveyor system is located first followed by the remaining structures. 

I created structural footprints for all the structures less the sand house itself. I have the base structure on hand and am using that for fine tuning the industrial footprint. 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 sand processing plant along the industrial lead / sand track, I can finalize the two track spurs servicing the gravel loading platform.

Essentially you're going to follow this process: 

1. Lay out the sand plant and sand silos.
2. Lay out the conveyor system. 
3. Lay out the oil tanks and pump house.
   
4. Lay out the gravel loader.
5. Lay out the MOW shed. 
6. Lay out the water column.
7. Lay out the pump house.

See the Structures Reference Page  for the specific details about building the structures.

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).

Because this section ties into both the Satsop River - Section 14 and the Coal Grove - Section 16, some layout of those sections will need to be done at the same time, primarily the main line locator at Basalt (10 inches from the fascia) and the northernmost Polson Canyon curve (16 inches from the fascia ).  

Roadway.

• 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.

Laying 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

Layout Drainage.  See 4.1.8 Ditches, Drains and Culverts

Drainage

Culverts

Track Details.

Basalt Sand and Gravel will use 4 bolt rail joiners on the industrual lead they have low mount switch stands

There is a lift type derailer on the interchange track. 

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

Section 6 - North River Bridge - Part 1

Its time to lay out the North River Bridge section. The layout design given and druthers of this section is identified in Station 6 - North River Bridge.

Layout Design Elements

The North River Bridge section adjoins the Preachers Slough section to the north and the Wickwood section to the south. It has seven scenic elements (from backdrop to fascia):

This module consists of eight layout design elements:

1. A sunny sky.
2. A distant treeline with a river disappearing in the distance.
   
3. A low dam in the background.
   
4. A wide deep river with relatively high river banks.
5. One through truss bridge.
6. Two through plate girder bridges.
7. Two stone abutments.
8. Two stone piers.

 Module Construction

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

As this module is a river module I have modified the construction technique. Instead of using the two 1x3 girders on the bottom of the module, I need a solid bottom on the module for the riverbed. The 1x3 girders are replaced by a 2 foot by 8 foot piece of plywood 3/4 inches thick. The two ends of the module are cut out to permit attachment of the module electrical connectors and module interface bolts. 

The remainder of the module is built per standard WWSL construction standards.

ROW Design Considerations 

The most critical design considerations on this module is the length of the bridge. With only 96 inches of linear space to model two river banks and three bridges, something has to be compressed. 

First I looked at the two curved legs. At Wickwood, the 26 inch radius curve needs to connect to a tangent track located 12 inches from the front fascia. That means that 16 inches of space is needed on this module for the south mainline curve. At Preachers Slough, the 26 inch radius curve needs to connect to a tangent track located 16 inches from the front fascia. This means that 10 inches of space is needed on this module for the south main line curve. A total of approximately 26 inches is needed for the curved main line components. That leaves us with 70 inches of tangent mainline track for the three bridges.

4.The through truss bridge is a Central Valley bridge kit. Total length of that bridge will be 21 inches. See 4.1.9.12 North River Bridge S5 (Through Truss (Pratt)) for construction details.

5. The through plate girder bridges are Central Valley bridge kits. Each bridge is 10 inches long, for a total of 20 inches, See 4.1.9.12 North River Bridge S5 (Through Plate Girder) for construction details. With the through truss bridge, the total length is 41 inches -  plenty of room for the bridge.

6. The abutments will will be Chooch stone abutments. They require some modification - the overall height is good but the bridge step needs to be increased to permit the installation of appropriate bridge pedestals. See 4.1.9.12 North River Bridge S5a (Masonry Abutments) for construction details. 

7. The in-river piers will be Chooch stone piers. They require a similar reduction in height only. See 4.1.9.12 North River Bridge S5b (Masonry Piers) for construction details.

Laying out the Structures

I used a pair of 3 foot yard sticks to determine the anticipated length of the bridge complex (53 inches) and for initial siting of the river banks and the bulkhead, piers and concrete abutment.

Essentially you're going to follow this process: 

1. Lay out the Bridge complex.It will be centered on the module.
2. Locate the abutments and piers.
   
3. Lay out the Dam complex.The dam will be centered and extend approximately 4 inches into the module.
4. Lay out the river banks
   

I have considered adding some structures in support of the dam but haven't determined what specifically will be added. See the Structures Reference Page  for the specific details about those structures.

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 to do it before. 

Essentially you're going to follow this process: 

1. Lay out the main line. I centered it at the 12 inch line.
   
2. Lay out the main line curves with easements.
3. Lay out the bridge template, the length of the bridge and adjust as necessary.
4. Lay out the south embankment leading to the bridges. 
5. Locate the abutments and pier.
6. Layout the river banks on either side of the river.
   

Because this module ties into both the Wickwood Module and the Preachers Slough module some layout of those modules will need to be done at the same time, primarily the main line locator at Wickwood (12 inches from the fascia) and the southernmost Preachers Slough curve (16 inches from the fascia ). 

Roadway Details

• The WWSL 2nd Division is designated Class A main line. See 4.2.11.1  Modeling Technique for High Profile Roadway for details.
• Bridge Profile.  See 4.2.11.16 Modeling Technique for Bridge Roadway for details.
  

Right of Way Drainage.  See 4.1.8 Ditches, Drains and Culverts

• Drainage
• Culverts

MOW Details

• 4.2.12.5 Rail Rests
• 4.2.12.6 Tie Stack Detail

 Track Details.

TBD.
 .

In the next blog (Section 6 - North River Bridge Module - Part 2) I will discuss the Scenic Design Considerations. 

Reference

See 4.2.3 Laying Straight Track and 4.2.4 Laying Curve Track for construction details.