The Chicago Burlington & Quincy
Chicago & Iowa Division
Carl Davis, Owner
Note: Sad to say that Carl’s CB&Q is gone! Carl and his wife moved to Florida. Bill Kirchmeyer
The time period is October, 1964 with Point to Point Operation, running the CB&Q from the East, (Chicago Staging yard) to the West (St. Paul Minnesota), staging yard. The “Chicago” yard has seven tracks for staging, with a double Main into, and through, the first town of Rochelle. The town of Rochelle has switching for six industries.
Heading West out of Rochelle, we go to single Main line, passing Flagg Center “wye” and heading towards the town of Oregon. Flagg Center now has a three track yard, where cars are “set-out” and “picked-up” for other points on the railroad. The Flagg Center “wye” also has trackage that now leads to the towns of Kings and Rockford. Kings has two industries to switch, a Lumber yard and a small Grain operation. Main line trackage through Kings leads to the town of Rockford, which has four industries to switch.
Cars are now brought from Rockford and Kings into the Flagg Center three track yard for set-outs and Pick-ups, again, to and from other points on the railroad.
Heading West from Flagg Center is the town of Oregon. Oregon has switching for six industries, plus a sand plant at the west end of town for switching as well.
Leaving Oregon, the next town West is Milledgeville, with switching for four industries. The railroad then continues into the town of Savanna, with an “A” and “B” yard, consisting of seven tracks, in addition to East and West bound main lines. Savanna has a small amount of industry switching, but also includes an Interchange with the Milwaukee Road. The Milwaukee has “traffic”, to and from Marion, Iowa, with four industries for switching at the Interchange. Savanna also has “Q” traffic, to and from, Galesburg. A one Main line “turn” that brings Coal and appliances in from Southern Illinois.
From Savanna to St. Paul is East and West bound main lines into the staging yard of nine tracks.
This railroad has Passenger service, consisting of the Morning Zepher and the Afternoon Zepher. In addition to the “Iowa turn” and the “Galesburg turn” we presently run two “through” freights, six “local” freights, and two extra freights that switch the industries.
We have a “Crew” of ten with a run time of about three hours using the Digitrax Super Chief system. Dispatching is Verbal Authority using FRS radios. (provided)
As owner, my goals are to have a good running railroad with a relaxed, & smooth operation, and everyone enjoying the session with a desire to return. Note from Bill Kirchmeyer – Carl’s is the only layout I’ve ever seen that ran flawlessly on his first session! Not one short, uncoupling, derailment or glitch of any kind. Bill
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