Progress thru 2017

As 2018 approaches, I thought it might be a good idea to review the current status, progress made and overall goals of the layout.  The Kawartha Lakes Railway is a freelanced model railroad, which means no prototype ever existed.   However, I have tried to include elements of the Ontario Northland Railway (ONR) as well as the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) into the design.  The route follows the imaginary trackage north from Peterborough to Pembroke, followed with connection to North Bay and the ONR.  Some areas are modeled to closely follow the prototype and other parts are purely creative, however, all of the modeling attempts to reproduce the landscape, general scenery and industries of Ontario.   

Era
The time period modeled is the mid-1980’s. Mostly 1985 for no particularly significant reason.

Style
The layout is a linear, point to point road, although at some point a bridge may be added which will connect the small staging yard to Pemberton.

Design Considerations/Goals

• My general interest in Canadian roads, especially the ONR.  I spent my summers in the Lakefield/Peterborough and wanted to re-create the look and feel of that area.
• Run the number and types of trains that typically can be found on the ONR.  This essentially means that most trains are mixed freight or passenger, and unit trains such as autoracks or intermodals do not exist.
• The layout should consist of distinct scenes, and not try to jam as much operations or buildings into a space as possible. 
• My general interest in Canadian roads, especially the ONR.  I spent my summers in the Lakefield/Peterborough area and loved to watch trains come into Havelock, switch the Quaker Oats plant in Peterborough or run along the Otonobee River towards Lakefield.
• The fact that Canadian equipment is somewhat unique.
• A desire to model a paper mill, as well as several forest products industries.
• Wanting to model the nepheline syenite mine at Blue Mountain, north of Havelock.
• Desire to model the grain operations at the Quaker Oats facility in Peterborough.
• Including a paint plant somewhere on the layout, since I work in the chemicals industry for one of the largest paint and coatings manufacturers.  When I visit a paint plant serviced by rail, I spend free time observing rail cars and operations as much as possible.
• Have most of the railway be centered around on line switching
• Try to model some prototype scenes.  Use scenery to give the illusion of changes in topography while not actually changing grade levels.   

Progress to Date

• Trackwork is completed and fully operational.  Still have some occasional issues with manual switches in the paper mill, but otherwise operations are usually derailment free (unless the operator isn't paying attention and forgets to align switches). 
• The Spruce Creek Pulp and Paper mill took up a lot of time in 2017, and as you can see from previous postings, the complex is built.  This includes all of the buildings that I had originally intended to model.  With the exception of the two Walthers paper mill kit buildings, most of the buildings and structures are scratch-built.  Still need to work on details for the scene, such as roadway surfaces, piping, people, signage, vehicles, etc.). I'd also like to start adding lights to the complex.
• The Uniman nephytheline syenite mine is the last major scene which needs to be completed.  Only a small number of buildings have been constructed, although I have roughed in the large ore processing plant building using foamboard.  The mine has been constructed.  So this looks like a big project to handle in 2018.
• Buildings are in place for several of the forest products industries, although I have only scratched the surface with regards to scenery.  This has become a 2018 goal. 
• Grain unloading can be done at the Quaker Oats facility; again, finishing scenery is minimal and hopefully becomes something to be completed in 2018. 
• The Sherwin-WIlliams paint plant is mostly complete, and a few details have started to be added.  I plan to re-paint and add discharge piping to all of the tank farms this coming year.
• I still need to build my passenger station.  While I have the kit, it remains un-opened.
• The town of Pembroke is fairly complete, and during this past year I began to electrify it and add lighting to buildings as well as signs. Hopefully a few weekends of work will allow the town to become fully illuminated.
• I started to build a total of five woodchip gondolas in 2017.  Two of them are now fully constructed and sit at the sawmill awaiting loads, while the remaining three are structurally built, however, I need to add several details and wheel sets.  None of them have been painted, and I need to start designing the decals that will be applied.
• Several Canadian rolling stock kits, along with a CPR van and SD40-2F unit, are within the pile of items to be built. 
• Rapido continues to roll out some fantastic models and I already have my order in for an SW-1200RS, which will be dedicated to service at the paper mill.  The Canadian cylindrical hoppers are said to be shipping soon. And Rapido just announced that the FP-7 project will be happening in 2018.  Guess this means I need to look at my box of engines and sell off some used power.  Anybody in the market for a PA-1A/B unit?

Summary

So there you have it. Quite a lot of tasks for the future, however, this is a hobby and work proceeds at a reasonable pace.  The vast majority of projects seem to center around scenery, since most of the heavy lifting has been completed.  However, a possible move may occur in 2018 if the right piece of real estate can be found, so who knows what the end of 2018 will look like. Stay tuned as I continue to document the progress of the Kawartha Lakes Railway.