At the time John Armstrong designed what became the Western Midland Railroad, the legendary track planner described it as being for the man who was a demon for dispatching and operation. After having operated the layout for several years now, I would agree with his statement.
The Western Midland is a single level, HO railroad and is controlled by Lenz DCC. The layout is 100 % operational with scenery covering approximately 85%. It is also a serious mountain railroad with a three scale mile mainline and a very diversified traffic base, most of which originates or terminates online. Not surprisingly, this results in plenty of way freight activity. Set in September, 1938, the Midland is an all steam road with no intention of dieselizing any time soon.
We have capacity for seven guests who will have the option of bidding on the following positions: agent/operator, yardmaster and the road pool which covers both way freights and through trains. We use T.T.&T.O for dispatching with car cards and way bills for freight car forwarding. Typically, the Midland is dispatched from Calgary, Alberta via long distance telephone by a former Canadian Pacific dispatcher now retired.
The Prototype
• Style:
• Prototype:
• Location:
• Era:
• Interchange:
Freelanced
n/a
Montana
1938
NP, GN, Milwaukee
The Layout
• Location:
• Scale:
• Size:
• Control:
• Accessibility:
• Mainline Length:
• Yards:
• Passing Sidings:
• Scenery Complete:
• Carspots:
• Motive Power:
• Rolling Stock:
• Track Construction:
New Westminister
HO
20′ x 24′
DCC Lenz
Basement down stairs
170 feet
2 yards
4
100%
17 shipper/receivers with a total of 49 car spots
9 steam locos
74 incl 6 cabooses. 15% scratch built
Code 70 hand laid including turnouts.
Minimum radius 30″ and the minimum turnout size is 8.
Operations
• Clock Speed:
• Session Length:
• Crew Size:
• Dispatching:
• Car Forwarding:
• Communication:
• Jobs:
• Train Lengths:
• Session Style:
6:1
3 hours
12
Timetable and Train Order
Car cards & waybills
Telephones
Dispatcher, Agent/Operators
Way freights – 5 or 6 cars
Through freights – up to 12 cars
Passenger trains are single car
Prototypical
More Information
- July 2012 Railroad Model Craftsman
- Issue 57 Layout Design Journal
