Mason City Traction

[cnwfan]

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A quick update. The mainline has been laid west to the I35 overpass. It looks like the rails end here from looking at Google Maps. But my plan is to extend the line into Clear Lake since this will be a proto-fictional route. The above screen capture would be at Main Ave and I35 looking west.

I have also spend some time trying to get the I35 overpasses set at the correct height so that the wire fits under the bridges. I'm just glad the roads are mostly true east-west or north-south. It makes the embankment work so much easier!

And speaking of true east-west, somewhere along the way of setting the initial piece of track, I must have not set it at a true 90 degree angle. I was using the Google overlays to set it. As I was laying the mainline west, the track kept creeping north from the Google image. By the time I got close to I35, it was 60 meters off. So now I'm adjusting distances and using the offset tool for tracks and roads just to keep everything parallel. In the end, no will notice, but it does make blocking out areas with tracks and roads that much more of a challenge.

Now that the tracks are at I35, I'll start working east back to the yard cutting in roads and grade crossings. That's all for now.

[cnwfan]

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It's been a bit since I posted an update to this route. The above pic is looking at end of track at Clear Lake, IA. Not sure if this is where the actual Iowa Traction right of way ended, but I can see the track ending at the water's edge. Lots of lake and scenery to build out, but that will come in due time. Next, I think I'll build out the tracks east from the yard to the UP crossing in Mason City.

[cnwfan]

Here's a recent YouTube video of the Iowa Traction. Between seeing this video and driving over the Iowa Traction on I35 in Mason City a couple of weeks ago, it lit a fire to get back to work on this route.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cnY7XZxh_s

[goddrauG]

Glad to see you back in the saddle! I’ve always had a soft spot for electric interurbans. Always wanted more places to run the SN Steeplecabs

[cnwfan]

It's been awhile since the last update. I've been concentrating my efforts around the Emery area, mostly getting the trackwork and catenary (what a pain in the pantograph) in place. I decided to add a small "flag stop" type of station at this location for the tourist interurban experience. While the real Iowa Traction is a freight only operation, the Mason City Traction will run tourist interurban service between Mason City and Clear Lake during the construction season. Those of you from the Midwest understand there are 2 seasons out here... winter and construction. Regardless, I've got a station stop roughed in for now.

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[PullmanCar]

It's been awhile since the last update. I've been concentrating my efforts around the Emery area, mostly getting the trackwork and catenary (what a pain in the pantograph) in place. I decided to add a small "flag stop" type of station at this location for the tourist interurban experience. While the real Iowa Traction is a freight only operation, the Mason City Traction will run tourist interurban service between Mason City and Clear Lake during the construction season. Those of you from the Midwest understand there are 2 seasons out here... winter and construction. Regardless, I've got a station stop roughed in for now.

20240223210558_1.jpg

Splendid news, I am happy to hear of this progress. Your route is one I had been following, as I quite like Interurban traction routes. I wish you the best with continued progress. I can only imagine the fun of catenary....

‘PullmanCar’

[gerardF]

+1 "spendid news" , I will follow the progress of your work, this route is really very original for a US route with the catenary