RiverRail - Rock Island by Rick Rodrick

Interchange is the theme on the Inver Grove Division, an N scale layout loosely based on the Rock Island “spine line” in Minnesota. The Layout is centered on the Rock Island’s Inver Grove yard. From Inver Grove south approximately 150 feet of single track mainline represents the Rock Island’s trackage rights over the Milwaukee south through the towns of Rosemount, Farmington, Northfield and Dundas. Rock Island freights work grain elevators and other small industry granger-style in these small towns. The last remnants of passenger service still traverse the main line with mail service in St. Paul and station stops in Northfield. A few Milwaukee freights will be seen on the rural mainline as well.

The Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern yard at Northfield receives traffic from Minneapolis, serves Northfield industry, and works a busy interchange with the Rock Island and Milwaukee.

North from Inver Grove trains travel on the double track Milw/CB&Q main to swap interchange traffic with the Minnesota Transfer in Minneapolis. A large flour mill, a grocery warehouse, and a storage warehouse also receive a steady flow of trafic in Minneapolis. A produce turn serves a busy, multiple consignee produce terminal as well. Transfer traffic from the NP, GN, CNW, Milwaukee, and Soo line is delivered by transfer trains originating in Minneapolis and turning in Inver Grove Yard.

The double decked layout occupies a 15 x 35 foot room. The era is the second half of the 1960s. At this time the railroad will support 10 operators including a dispatcher, two yardmasters and transfer train and road engineers. Fast clocks and a car card and waybill system are used. I use FRS radios for communication. We have enough for sessions but if you have one feel free to bring it along. Train control is DCC using the Easy DCC system.

Although the Rock Island, Inver Grove Division is gone (but not forgotten), Rick is well on his way to a new railroad with the Minnesota Transfer Railway!