CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN
STERLING SUBDIVISION
I grew up being the most familiar with the C&NW railroad. I started my present layout in 1976. With the help of a couple of my friends, the railroad was conceived. The work proceeded for about 2yrs. before we drove the Golden Spike. At that point, we could operate revenue freight trains. We used 18 electrical blocks to go point to point. We used 6 main line cabs set up on rotary switches, plus dedicated cabs at yards and 3 major towns . [All retired when DCC was installed]
This version of the “NORTHWESTERN” takes you from the Proviso yards all the way to Clinton, IA. This was a main artery for C&NW- U.P. [Chicago to the west coast]. The West Chicago yard is the main yard. Proviso trains will set out/pick-up cars here plus interchange with E.J.& E. The next town is Rochelle-plus MILW Interchange, then to Ashton, Dixon (W/ I.C. interchange) and on to Nelson where the main widens out to 4 tracks. Track 4 connects to “Y” tracks into 5-track yard for S.I.D. [Southern Ill. Div.] Double tracks go to Sterling, IL W/ C.B.&Q. interchange and onto Clinton, IA. Here’s a 5 track-staging yard w/ a reversing loop. My era is “1956” — so both steam &early diesels can be seen. A 95’ turntable w/ [1 RPM motor] and 7-stall roundhouse are at West Chicago.
In 2001 we went to Digitrax Command Control and a dispatcher’s panel for signals & power routing. Dispatching is by Verbal Authority using FRS radios. (provided) 9 operators and a dispatcher are ideal for my space. Scenery and revisions are on going.
Major Shareholder & Superintendent of C&NW [Sterling subdivision]
Eugene “ Gene” Wheeler
