The Rubber & Rawhide Railroad

Progress Report for 14th June 2010

This Page Created on June 14th, 2010

East Marcellus Switch Upgraded!

In a surprise move, a Wye switch has replaced the old East Marcellus Turnout. Actually, it's part of a major upgrade long planned for the Rubber & Rawhide. The traffic throughout the Great Green Route has increased significantly, along with ever louder calls for local freight accomodations. Replacing the old switches on the outer ends of the Marcellus and Discobolos compounds was a necessary first step for a major upgrade of the area's services.

Marcellus Stubs Sketched

The little passing track at Marcellus Plaza had just never worked out. Too short for most through trains, and with no nearby sidings, spotting even one freight car tied up the whole line for the duration. Here we can see that roadbed for two new stub tracks are being built. How will that help, you might ask? Follow the next photos, we reply.

Marcellus -- Discobolos Passing Track Progress

Oh, now we see! Our Operations people were adamant that the new passing track, replacing as it does both the Marcellus and Discobolos station tracks, also include provisions for crossovers at midpoint between those two sites.

Our surveyor obviously took that requirement literally, as the two tapes attest!

Marcellus Depot Tracks Completed!

The two new tracks at first glance seem to surround Marcellus, but it's all illusion. Yes, we know, the first (North) Stub is rather close to the mainline, but working with our usual limitations on minimizing grass loss, it was the best we could do.

Marcellus Block of New Passing Siding

Marcellus must have connections in the highest places. His end of the project was completely engineered even while new roadbed procurement was awaiting transportation.

One board was added just to hint at the next portion of the project.