Station 10 - Headquarters Jct

Location. 

WWSL 1st Subdivision

Headquarters Jct (HQ) is the third station on WWSL's 1st Subdivision. located at Mile Post xx.

History. Headquarters Junction was the primary mainline between the Olympic Peninsula Logging Company's Camp 1 and its sawmill operations at OPLC. When the OPLC spun off the WWSL (see OPLC Company History) the OPLC kept the original main line and the WWSL bypassed that portion of the original line by building a new main line.

Operations.  

WWSL operates on WWSL main track. 

OPLC trains move from Camp 1 to OPLC (Sawmill) on OPLC main track.  There is one spur on the OPLC main line. It is the former line to Camp 3. It is now used for ash disposal from WWSL power company clients.

Design. I got this idea from an article in the Railroad Model Craftsman. Historically, the WWSL assumed all OPLC trackage from Brady to Camp 1, and from the sawmill at OPLC north (originally to Camp 9 with trackage rights to OPLC.) It simplifies dispatching on the WWSL main line by reducing OPLC trains from 6 to 3 daily, and eliminates dispatching of light engines to OPLC servicing facilities.

Track Diagram



Roadway

• OPLC main line is at OPLC relaxed standards. 
• WWSL main line is at WWSL relaxed standards.
• A timber trestle for the OPLC main line.
• A timber trestle for the WWSL main line.

Scenery. Scenery is inspired from a couple of pictures gathered from various sites.

• Background is bright blue sky and far and near trees.
• Mid ground is level with field grass and scrub bushes etc.
• Near ground is level with gravel road and drainage.
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catenary/Signaling.  

• (C) WWSL main line will be wired. OPLC main line will not be wired.

Structures. The following structures are anticipated:

• A headquarters building for OPLC lumber operations.
  

References

Station 9 - OPLC Camp 1

Location.

WWSL 1st Subdivision

History. Logging Companies operated in the first half of the 20th Century with lumber camps located near their leased lands and cutting sites. These locations

Operations.

The Olympic Peninsula Logging Company maintains OPLC Logging Camp #1 approximately 10 miles north of Brady, WA. At this location the Logging Company has steam engine servicing facilities, a logging camp consisting of cooking and dining facilities, housing and recreation facilities, a two track log reloading facility, and an interchange track with the WWSL. 

The WWSL has a main track with passing siding and shares the interchange track with the OPLC. The WWSL main line parallels the OPLC main line along Camp 1.

Design Considerations.

I wanted this module to replicate two aspects of logging railroad operations: a small steam locomotive servicing facility, and a 1930's logging camp.I also wanted this module to be the interchange point between the OPLC and the WWSL. I needed a passing track for WWSL trains on the Northern Division.

Track Plan

(place holder)


Right of Way. 

• OPLC Main Track - Class B with relaxed standards
• OPLC Secondary Track - Class C with relaxed standards
• WWSL main line - Class B with relaxed standards
• WWSL Secondary Track Class C with relaxed standards

Scenery

• Backdrop. Sky Blue.
• Far Scenery. Hilly terrain with 2nd growth forest
• Mid Scenery. Logging Camp parallel to OPLC right of way
• Near Scenery. WWSL main line and passing track

Catenary/Signaling

• WWSL main line and passing track is wired. 
• WWSL interchange track is non-wired.
• OPLC tracks are non-wired.
  

Locomotives. See 8.8 Locomotives - Olympic Peninsula Logging Company

• OPLC operates oil fired 0-4-0T, 0-6-0T and 2-8-0 steam locomotives.
  

Rolling Stock. See 9.4 Rolling Stock - Olympic Peninsula Logging Company

 

Structures.

• Enginehouse
• Turntable
• Steam engine servicing facility
• Camp administrative buildings
• Camp cooking and dining facilities
• Camp housing facilities
• Lumber reload yard
  

References

Purpose, Goals and Objectives 2021

On January 1, 2020 I wrote a blog page Purpose, Goals and Objectives 2020 indicating my goals for the year. I didnt quite get there - for a variety of reasons.

Of the four short term goals, I managed to complete two: STG#1 and STG#4, both construction oriented goals. STG#2 and STG#3 were track-laying and base scenic goals. I didnt get there. I did however get a good bit accomplished on the website ..... something i didnt list as a goal, but should have. It takes longer to type than to do .... and I'm going to do more doing than typing as time goes on. 

A summary of my year is below, followed by some brief thoughts on my year and the hobby:

Projects Completed in 2020

• Room preparation  (ceiling, lighting, electrical and carpeting) is done with the exception of the workbench and crew lounge area ammenities.
• Benchwork and backdrop construction is done with the exception of the helix.
• Valence construction is done.
• Layout lighting is done. 
• Under the layout storage is done. 
  
• The blog has been designed and 73 posts have been published. 130 pages have been designed and some 30 have been completed. The remainder are in various stages of completion.
  

2021 goals. 

STG#1: I want the trackwork completed from Tunnel 2 to Reload. I want to complete 16 square feet of at least one signature scene within 6 months with the remainder with basic scenery in place. I want enough track from WWSL 2.0 relaid to new design and construction standards and at least some trains running in 6 to 9 months.

STG#2:  I want the trackwork from Melbourne to Wickwood relaid to new design and construction standards and at least some trains running in 6 to 9 months.

STG#3. I want three trains (locomotives and rolling stock) built to Tan Standards and running on the the above modules by the end of the year.

Station 8 - Shafer Prairie

WWSL 1st Subdivision

Location. Schafer Prairie is the first station on the First Subdivision.

Design. Schafer Prairie is the station name for the helix connecting the two decks of the WWSL. 

The helix is a single track main line, with a 21 inch radius, on a 2.38 degree grade, 6 1/2 levels. The helix is visible from one side only, and that side will have scenery and fascia.

Operations. Trains leave Brady Junction and head north on Division 1 trackage toward OPLC Camp 1.

Vignettes.

There are six levels to the helix. For an operator focusing on prototype operation, there is nothing worse than watching a train go round and round on a helix - it challenges the mindset. I decided to establish operational windows that I hope will enhance the operators operational experience rather than distract the operator from the un-prototype length of time the train is out of their immediate vision. Those operational windows I am calling 'vignettes'. These vignettes to will consist of the following right of way scenes:

• A road crossing. 
• An absolute stop (ABS) dwarf signal for entry into Brady Junction.
  
• A storage track(s) for the WWSL's work train.
• A cut with embankment to the back of the helix. 
• A storage track for ballast cars..

 Track Diagram. 

Roadway. This is the only location on the layout where the roadbed isn't foam. 1/4 inch cork roadbed will be used for the roadbed. 

• WWSL main line - Class B with relaxed standards
• WWSL passing track - Class C with relaxed standards

Scenery. Scenery is limited in both the horizontal (30 inches) and vertical (3 inches). 

• Mid scenery would be primarily cuts and fills with bushes. This scenery would be considered view blocks preventing operators from seeing the non-sceniced interior of the helix. Those view blocks would be removable from the inside for track access as required.
  
• Near scenery would be primarily detailed right of way, track and track fixtures, and ballast.

It is anticipated that the vignettes would look something like this: side views of the equipment rather than the traditional 3/4 view preferred by railroad photographers .

(pic)

Catenary/Signaling.  

(C) There is no catenary located within the helix. Catenary poles may be part of the sceniced vignette as warranted. 

(S). There will be an absolute drawf signal on the lower level to control access to Brady Junction.

Rolling Stock. I have envisioned having MOW cars built for operation and display. Those display cars (say 1930's WWSL) would be displayed on those otherwise inaccessible siding tracks. These cars would include single and double sheathed wood outfit cars, truss rod flat cars, wood ballast cars, etc. 

Structures. None

Resource.

 

Benchwork is Completed

 This week was the final week of benchwork construction. 

 I cleaned up the rough edges of the valences over the helix.

I purchased and cut to size the 2 inch styrofoam and masonite for the last 4 modules.

I painted the backdrops the two shades of sky. 

I started sorting the bits and pieces of styrofoam in my scrap pile to identify landforms for the WWSL version 3 right of way and toss the rest. Same thing with the lumber shorts. Alot of scrap to the dump. 

Now I have to reorganize again and get the layout room ready for right of way development and tracklaying.

Station 7 - Wickwood

Location

Wickwood (WK). Location of American Pulp and Paper Mill and the Saginaw Timber Company. Two track yard, RIP track, joint WWSL/OPLC/STC locomotive repair facility. Western Washington Power Company plant spur. Team track. STC engine servicing facility. Interchange with STC .
 

History



Operations



Vignettes



Highly Desired Elements



Nice to have



Roadway



Scenery



Catenary/Signaling



Locomotives



Rolling Stock 

 

Structures

 

Resources

Benchwork 10

 Benchwork construction is just about over and I'm glad it's coming to an end. 

Once the helix base was roughed in and emplaced, final benchwork can be completed. 

I installed the south wall upper level horizontal L-Girder. I then installed the east wall upper level horizontal L-girder - completing the upper level benchwork.

I then installed the lower level south wall L-Girder. Notice that I simultaneously installed the east wall L-girder. I had to do this to ensure that the east wall modules were correctly installed at the 8 foot length and whatever excess length of the layout room was reflected in the width of the south wall modules. I anticipated a 32 inch width of the south wall modules. The reality was 33 inches and I'm fine with that.

 

Not photographed but installed was a lower level leg installed along the south wall to hold up the lower module.