The Iron Cross

Layout Description

The Iron Cross is a multi-level railroad depicting the C&NW and connecting lines in central Illinois circa 1955. The south end of the C&NW "SI " (Southern Illinois) Line is modeled, along with shortline Litchfield & Madison between its namesake cities. In addition, there is a proto-freelanced extension of the SI to Evansville, Indiana (ala Milwaukee Road's Southeastern Line), and live interchanges with the L&N and C&EI. Some operation of the L&N and C&EI is also modeled at Evansville. Nine staging yards are used and also support operation and live interchanges with the ITC, B&O, TRRA, L&M, and IC "Green Diamond" Line and Edgewood Cutoff.

Layout Details

Layout Owner

Mike McBride

Location

Dixon, IL

Scale

HO

Layout Size

75 ft x 28 ft

Mainline Size

650 ft

Era

1955

Crew Complement

18 - 22

Completion

Track: 80%
Scenery: 15%
Electrical: 75%

Control System

CVP Easy DCC

Communications System

Wayside phones

Dispatching Method

Verbal/Mother-May-I

Car Forwarding

Car Cards/Waybills

Fast Clock

2:1

Health and Safety

Pets

Yes - Cats, kept upstairs