OperatingSessions.com | Rondout Janesville and Madison

Layout Description

The layout is based upon the Milwaukee Road lines from Rondout, IL to Madison, WI. The MILW Southwestern line from Savanna, IL to Sturtevant, WI is also a part of the layout. The time frame for the layout is roughly 1979 through 1983 with flexibility either way.

If you're looking for a layout with meticulous detail and rivets to count, you won't find it here. What you will find is an operations-based layout with plenty of variety and action.

The layout represents (fictitiously) two routes that MILW sold off to short line operators Rondout Janesville and Madison, and The Southwestern Road. The two routes had little potential to the MILW and were eagerly disposed of.

The revitalization of both lines came with the building of the Baker power plant at Bardwell, WI. The plant gets unit coal trains from the BN at Prairie du Chein and the CNW at Savanna, IL. The RJ&M handles the trains from the BN at PDC and the Southwestern Road handles them from the CNW (Via Clinton, IL) at Savanna.

The RJ&M and SWR achieve additional success from excellent customers service of on-line customers. This customer service allowed the RJ&M to steal the General Motors business from the CNW at Janesville, WI.

The RJ&M "J" Line from Rondout to Janesville is CTC controlled with added sections of Two Main Tracks in certain areas.

The line from Janesville to Madison is Track Warrant control as is the entire Southwestern Road.

A good deal of imagination is needed on this layout, especially if you are familiar with these two MILW lines. Overall, it is a fairly good representation of the real routes.

There is plenty of yard switching, way freights, through freights, auto parts trains and coal trains to keep operators busy.

The Train Dispatcher is located upstairs, away from the layout and uses the CATS dispatching software to control the CTC. Track Warrants are issued by radio.

The layout is pretty much a "Plywood Central" right now, but scenery has begun.

The era the layout is based upon has The Milwaukee Road still very much alive with occasional detours in the event of derailments on either the C&M or D&I lines.

The operating sessions are relaxed and comfortable. A cold beer or other imbibements are ok as long as the obvious respect is paid to the layout and participants.