Subways

Creating a model subway (below ground) requires special provisions for:

1. Derailments - you must be able to reach all tracks to remove or to rerail a stalled train. This may include access holes from above, below or side, a removable wall panel, etc.
2. Cleaning / Maintenance - you must provide for the ability to clean the rails, pick up debris, etc.
3. Troubleshooting - you may have to troubleshoot an electrical short or other problem in which you need access
4. Modifications - on occasion you may desire to add turnouts, signals, lights, signs or minor structures.

This takes preplanning, creativity, trial and error. No one has all the answers but recognizing that you may have a need to deal with each one of these issues in the future is the first step to solving them before having to tear things apart.

Introduction

I have an interest in modeling urban electric rail transit in HO scale including rapid transit, subways, elevated, trolleys and interurbans. The era that I prefer to model is from the 1940's thru the 1970's. The focus of my interest is the Chicago Loop and the Roosevelt Road terminal of the North Shore Line. This central area was a terminus to many lines of CSL, CRT, CTA, CNS&M and CA&E. My layout has representative models of each of these lines.

It is my desire to encourage others, share modeling information and discuss any subject relative to this type of modeling including prototype information.