Canton Divison
30 November 2006

Construction Update

Pink Foam Board has been test fitted (not yet secured) and a proof of concept test loop is installed. The test loop is pretty close to where and how the mainline will run on the this level of the Canton Division.  The test loop can be operated by DC or DCC.  Once actual track work of the Canton Division is installed (Starting December 2006), DCC will be the sole source of train control.  The Foam Board will be glued into place by mid December 2006.  Track work will follow shortly after that.  Fasica will not be installed until later in 2007 once most of the track has been installed on the main level.

Train Operations

Common train length will run between 25 and 35 cars.  Trains BNSF is the primary road of the layout and will operate the most trains.  Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific also operate on the layout but at a lower capacity.  Passenger trains will be operated routinely by Amtrak and BNSF.  Most common freight that will  be hauled over the Canton Division includes coal, taconite, grain, COKE, Steel, Ethanol, Petrol, Woodchips, Paper, Automobiles.  There will be other freight hauled, but the just mentioned will be the most common freight.  The longest train to be routinely operated will be a 63 car BNSF coal train powered by four SD70MAC locomotives.  Below are photos of that monster 63 car coal train. :)