10/04/2002 Progress Report
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We moved into this house one year ago today, and I am amazed at the progress we've made in such a short time towards getting the Shenandoah Division back into operation. And even though we didn't start the layout until 3.5 months after moving in, it seems appropriate to reflect on the progress made since we moved. Compare the state of the layout room from the 10/13/2001 Progress Report to the progress report for 09/15/2002 and to the photos below in this report.

On September 15, I laid 3 code 55 #7 turnouts at RJ Cabin. I also laid 4 pieces of code 55 flex track between RJ and SX Cabin on the No. 2 track, A/D lead, and South Lead. I laid 1 piece of Vinylbed on the Norfolk Southern staging yard lead at Roanoke. I laid 2 pieces of Peco code 55 flex at Wadesboro, along with 4 Atlas code 80 rerailers.

On September 16, I laid 4 pieces of code 80 flex track on the back 3 staging tracks at Wadesboro.

On September 17, I added elevation markers for the lower level to the design in 3rdPlanIt in preparation for installing subroadbed north of North Salem.

Over the evenings of September 18-19, I printed 3rdPlanIt templates for the short peninsula and the Catawba Creek Viaduct wall, and I then trimmed and taped together the templates for the short peninsula and the entire lower level Catawba Creek Viaduct wall.

I created a cut list for risers from SN Cabin to S.E. Catawba on September 21. I also cut and taped templates, and I cut plywood subroadbed for the area from SN Cabin to the S.E. Catawba Creek Viaduct.

On September 22, I laid 5 code 55 #7 turnouts, 4.75 pieces of code 55 flex track, and 1 piece of Vinylbed in the SX Cabin/CSX BIDS Terminal area of North Salem. I also cut all the risers and splice plates from the cut list for SN Cabin to S.E. Catawba.

On September 23, I sanded subroadbed, and I glued the templates to the subroadbed from SN Cabin to the S.E. Catawba Creek Viaduct. I laid the #7 turnout for the BIDS Terminal at North Salem, and I laid 2 pieces of code 55 flex track.

On the evenings of September 24-25, I managed to squeeze in a little bit of time to work on the layout and so I laid 2 pieces of code 55 flex track.

Jan and Scott came over for a work session on September 26. We finished installing the benchwork for the short peninsula at the SN/MC Cabin/Pearson Curve area. We marked the subroadbed locations from SN Cabin to S.E. Catawba Creek Viaduct. We also installed the remaining two pieces (about 7') of plywood subroadbed at North Salem.

On September 27, I cleaned up from the previous night's work session. I also glued the remaining 6 templates to the newly installed subroadbed at North Salem (SN Cabin area), and I laid 1 more piece of code 55 flex track.

On September 28, Rich came over with his table saw. We cut masonite to size for fascia and backdrop sections in preparation for later installation. After Rich went home, I laid the templates for a new industry in the SN Cabin area of North Salem. This new industry is Science Diet (North Salem Cat Food Plant). I also laid 5 pieces of Vinylbed in the SN Cabin area.

On September 29, I laid 4.5 pieces of Vinylbed in the SN Cabin area. I laid 4 pieces of code 55 flex track.

On September 30, I installed Vinylbed pieces for the two sets of crossovers in the SN Cabin area. I laid the #7 turnout at the Science Diet plant. I laid 3.25 pieces of code 55 flex track.

On October 1, I laid 4 #7 turnouts and 2 pieces of code 55 flex track in the SN Cabin area, completing both the No. 1 and No. 2 tracks to SN Cabin.

Completion of the main lines to SN Cabin marks a major milepost in the construction of the Shenandoah Division.

 

Progress as of October 3, 2002

Overall view of the SX Cabin area at North Salem. The track closest to the wall (where the new SD80AC is sitting) is the No. 1 track. The next track forward is the No. 2 track, and the two tracks closest to the camera are the arrival/departure tracks for the North Salem Yard. Roanoke Junction is off-camera to the right.

 

Looking north from the SX Cabin area to the SN Cabin area at North Salem.

 

SN Cabin is in the foreground to the left. This picture looks south towards SX Cabin.

 

View showing turnouts at SN Cabin. The Salem Shops will eventually be located in the foreground here.

 

Another view of the same area as above, showing the current end of track at SN Cabin.

 

Another view of the SN Cabin area. The industrial spur off the No. 1 track in the background will be home to the new Science Diet plant.

 

Another view of the SX Cabin area. The industrial spur in the background here is the future CSX Salem BIDS Terminal.

 

Here is a close-up view of the turnouts at SX Cabin.

 

This page was last updated on 01/01/11.

 

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