the undulating
temporary track in the
background testify to
the 'just underway'
nature of this fast
growing empire. The
Springfield Pacific is
mainline railroading-
mountains or flatland.
Southern Pacific on it's journey through the Oregon Cascades and back.
Travel begins in the Eugene three track departure yard. From here, west
bound trains leave and make their way up the one percent grade to
Oakridge. At Oakridge another three track yard allows passage of east and
west bound trains and the addition of helpers for the 1.5 to 2.0 percent trip
up the Cascade mountains, a trip through tunnels and a snow shed. At
Cascade summit there is a double track yard to cut off helpers and, again,
for meeting ease bound trains. Traveling along Odell Lake and through Fir
forests the trains begin their 2.0 percent decent into central Oregon,
running through red cinders, lava fields and Junipers. Trains returning to
western Oregon are welcomed to a five track inbound yard upon their
return to Eugene.
Springfield, the town where I live, has been a lumber center since the early
1900's and is now becoming a strong freight shipping hub because of its
close location to the I-5 corridor, with reload facilities and a grain terminal.
Two local trains serve the industries within Springfield.
The Springfield Quarry, also modeled on my pike, has its own tracks and
locomotive. The quarry provides most of the ballast for track maintenance
on the Eugene subdivision. A small interchange yard allows the local to
pick up the cars for transfer to the Eugene yard.
My garden sized Springfield Pacific was begun in 1997. This is my second
outdoor railroad. With 3600 square feet, it is quite a bit larger than my first.
The mainline is 450 feet long with three 20 foot passing sidings as
mentioned earlier. It has taken 145 cubic yards of dirt, 25 tons of rock and
gravel, 600 wall blocks, two strong teenagers and my 25 year old son to
make the Springfield Pacific Railroad a reality. Next comes the forest and
meadows.
Rob
operational now, although the mountain pass (lower right) is a rough go.
