Construction on the RTN started on December 26th, 2004. Since I am not a big fan of doing benchwork, progress moved along rapidly at first, so as to ‘get it over-with’ and to get some trains running.
Most of the track work is Atlas Code 83 flex and #6 turnouts with Walthers (Shinohara) turnouts and crossings where other sizes were required. The sidings for the Sedimentary Rock & Dirt Company Mine and Engine House are hand-laid Code 83.
The industry line-up is pretty simple. There is a small yard with an engine facility operated by the RTN. At this end of the layout, to the rear, is where the Sedimentary Rock & Dirt (SRD) mine will be located. At the opposite end of the layout is the SRD’s small engine facility and a coal and fuel dealership. At the center rear will be an interlocking tower and the Sediment Station.
I began scratch building the turntable in the RTN engine facility based on a long past article in Model Railroader Magazine. My for this was twofold: no decent affordable turntables really existed, and I wanted to see if I could do it. Well, the pit didn’t come out quite the way I would like (from me being unable to cut a round hole to save my life). So, at some point, when I get back to the turntable, I’ll want to either re-do the pit, or in the meantime, Walthers has come out with their most excellent new turntables. I installed one of these (N Scale) on one of my NTrak modules, so this is a very tempting option.
RTN Early Construction
