Let's follow a train around the layout ... page 6
We're running the Coos Bay Hauler East. This is an actual train we run during an op session. As we follow the train around the layout, you'll also get to see how the layout looked as of March 2003.
| In the hole at Rice Hill |
 Rice Hill is the longest siding on the Siskiyou Line layout between Roseburg and Eugene, and so it makes an excellent place for the dispatcher to have meets.
Only rolling grassy pastures and forest surround Rice Hill, making it literally "in the middle of nowhere". Interstate 5 parallels the railroad at the summit (it would be in the aisle on the model), reminding you even in this rural location that civilization isn't far off.
Our train sits "in the hole" as it waits for the Siskiyou Line West to come by.
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| The Siskiyou Line West rolls by |
 The Siskiyou Line West rumbles by on the main after we sit in the hole for a few minutes.
This is the highest point on the Siskiyou Line -- it is about 80" off the floor, but with the 15" raised floor this scene appears to be about 65", or slighly below my eye level. For some of the shorter members of the regular operating crew, they look up at the trains on Rice Hill.
This benchwork is relatively narrow -- under 12" wide in most locations. This area proves how nice high narrow benchwork can make the trains look. Since there is only a siding at Rice Hill (and no switching)
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| Proceeding on to Cottage Grove |
 Once the caboose of the Siskiyou Line west clears the east Rice Hilll switch, our head end crew realigns the switch for the siding, and after they hop back on board, we notch out the throttle and slowly creak down Rice Hill toward the town of Cottage Grove.
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| Dropping the water cars in Cottage Grove |
 Upon reaching Cottage Grove, we cut out the water cars and leave them on the siding. From here on into Eugene, the grades are more gentle and so we will not need the water cars.
Eventually some structures and trees will help hide the bottom edges of the furnace vents behind Cottage Grove.
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