LCRR Mainline Reaches Oneida

I thought I’d post a brief update of the progress at Oneida.  Since my last post, I’ve completed all the roadbed within the area, and I’ve completed the mainline through town.  The roadbed took a bit longer than I thought it would as it had several variations in height.  The mainline roadbed is 3/16″ thick.  The roadbed tapers down to 1/8″ through the passing siding.  Then it tapers down to zero at the sub-roadbed (the Homasote base) for the industrial spurs.  But I also had a couple conditions where I had to slope down to just 1/16″.  This happened at a switch and also at the crossing.  I didn’t want them located on a slope, so I leveled the roadbed out at 1/16″, then later continued down to the Homasote base once past those areas.  It took some time, but it came out well and I think both the operation and visuals will be worth the effort.

Here are a couple photos:

Trackwork at Oneida - 02
This is entering the east end of Oneida.  The first switch directs to the private Spencer Logging Company’s trackage leading to the Spencer log pond.  The next switch is the start of the passing siding.  The third switch will be the spur for the sand and gravel pit.  The mainline track and switches are completed, as is the crossing.  The other trackage is in the process of being fitted, and then installed.

Trackwork at Oneida - 04
Here we are at the west end of town, looking back toward the east.  Down at the alcove, you can see the Louisiana Central mainline (the upper track) curving from Whitcomb (at the right just out of the picture) to Oneida at left.  The lower track is the Spencer Lumber Company’s mainline coming from the woods (at right), and into Oneida.  Note that the Spencer has trackage rights down there where the (future) bridge is crossing the (future) river.  In the foreground, the first switch is to the passing siding.  The next switch (on the passing siding) will be the spur to the loading area of the Spencer mill.  The depressed area (where all the clutter is resting) is the mill pond.

I have a few more photos of Oneida that I’ll be posting on the main website in the next day or so.  If interested, you can find the track plan here.

The last code 83 switches have been installed here in Oneida.  All remaining switches here, and in the yards at Monterey and Willis, will be code 70.  These are (as I’ve mentioned before) not “DCC friendly”, therefore will require modifications.  Unfortunately this will slow my progress down somewhat.  However, I’m thrilled that the mainline only has to finish curving around this peninsula, run back down to the far end, and then cross the room entrance into Monterey where it will be complete!

-Jack