So the plan is a simple oval, with a passing siding on the right side and bottom. The bottom configuration of trackage represents Bowie, TX. The bottom spur serves a drilling mud company. The left side of the spur looks a little odd, but in the real world the left (railroad west) switch of what was a siding was removed sometime in the late 80's/early 90's. So pretty much the last 1/3 of the trackage will be virtually underground. There will be enough track to hold two boxcars.
The siding on the top side of the Bowie area serves Bowie Milling and also commonly holds MOW equipment, as Bowie is the maintenance base for the subdivision. Bowie runs west to east, then the passing siding winds around counter-clockwise in a railroad eastbound direction then up the hill. In reality it's about an 8-10 mile run, not 40" but nevertheless we come to the top of the hill on the top left of the layout diagram. The spur here is Poco Graphite, which at one time received covered hoppers. And that's pretty much it! Just a place to run trains around and spot a few cars or show off some MOW equipment.
How did this development come about? Sometime around December 9th, I revisited a small layout idea that I had sketched up some time back in the September/October timeframe, as something that would fit my new "domicile". As a habitual apartment dweller over the past several years, I've looked for alternatives to that method of living. As time has rolled by, and as my situation has changed, I have become a big fan of the unconventional. So, long story short I am now a Full Time RV'er. Initially I was resigned to the fact that I simply wouldn't have a layout for the foreseeable future. Then I simply planned to keep my current (now previous) layout in storage and set it up for shows and such for running. I had pondered modifying it for setup inside my 31ft trailer but dismissed that and settled on the storage/show plan. But there was another issue I had with the Saginaw Transfer, and that was the inability to easily transport with my Chevy Silverado. Sure, the modules would fit in the back, but there would be no easy solution for protecting the scenery from the wind and elements. So I was looking at one of several complicated ideas for solving that, and in the back of my mind the effort being put into that could be applied to a new layout just as easily.
So, the new layout solves all of those issues. (and a few others as well) It fits on the dining table of my RV (with a little bit of overhang), it can be stored against a wall in the RV's bedroom short term, and fits in the crew cab area of my truck, protected from the elements. The other things "solved" are some nitpicky things I didn't like about the Saginaw Transfer that aren't really worthy of discussion. And there are some concessions...chief among them being the already ridiculously short train length being reduced to almost laughable. But, as I said before...I really consider this an enhanced version of a test track, providing a place to run some trains and practice some scenery and enjoy the hobby at some level.
Printable Buildings
https://www.illinois.gov/ihpa/Preserve/Pages/construct_mainstreet.aspx#BYOM
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