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Iowa Interstate – Altoona & Pella Branch

Iowa Interstate – Altoona & Pella Branch

An N-scale replica of Altoona, IA, and the Pella branch

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Finishing the Benchwork

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Michael Petersen — No Comments ↓

Unfortunately, no, I’m not done with benchwork. This post is mostly for my own future reference, to record the methods and recipes I used to paint and stain the shelves used for the layout benchwork. If you need some good Continue reading Finishing the Benchwork→

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Benchwork

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Michael Petersen — No Comments ↓

The benchwork has been coming together. It began with a block of 12 IVAR shelving units, placed back-to-back. Once those were in place and roughly leveled (it’s impossible to get them perfect since the wood uprights are not perfectly straight), Continue reading Benchwork→

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The New Plan

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Michael Petersen — No Comments ↓

After deciding to change directions on the layout and finishing the room earlier this year, benchwork is finally starting to take shape. Just in time for 2021… (I had an unspoken goal to at least get something done on the Continue reading The New Plan→

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What A Difference A Floor Makes

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Michael Petersen — No Comments ↓

It’s been almost 2 years since posting an update (and even longer since working on the layout to any significant degree), mainly due to other commitments, the ProtoThrottle, and questioning my basic layout plan. While I’ve come up with a Continue reading What A Difference A Floor Makes→

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Module Trackwork

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Michael Petersen — No Comments ↓

For the next step in building the module, I assembled and soldered together the mess of trackwork at the center of everything. These three turnouts and two crossings are the center of all the trackwork on the module and were Continue reading Module Trackwork→

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Module Construction

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Michael Petersen — No Comments ↓

My “side project” module is constructed using a box frame, overlaid with plywood and 1/2″ light weight drywall.  The box frame began life as a sheet of 3/4″ birch plywood.  This was ripped into 3.5″ wide strips and screwed together Continue reading Module Construction→

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A Side Project

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Michael Petersen — 3 Comments ↓

Progress on the layout has mostly stalled over the last year with most of my “hobby” time being spent on the ProtoThrottle, though I am 1/2 turn away from completing the helix.  As I’ve started looking ahead and planning for Continue reading A Side Project→

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Helix 50% Complete

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Michael Petersen — No Comments ↓

Today, the 3rd loop of the helix was completed.  This marks just over 50% complete.

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Helix Construction

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Michael Petersen — No Comments ↓

The full layout plan requires a helix at the west end of Altoona, representing the line to Des Moines.  Fortunately, there is a hill coming east out of Des Moines, with a ruling grade of 0.8%, so the climb represented Continue reading Helix Construction→

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Maiden Voyage

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Michael Petersen — No Comments ↓

I recently completed one turn of the helix and installed the track today, all 10ft of it.  Here’s the first train to run on it:

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Recent Posts

  • Finishing the Benchwork
  • Benchwork
  • The New Plan
  • What A Difference A Floor Makes
  • Module Trackwork

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • February 2020
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • September 2015

Links

  • The Hills Line
  • IAIS Subdivision 4, West End
  • Milan Branch of the Iowa Interstate RR
  • Copper River & Northwestern Railway
Michael Petersen
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This website is not associated with the Iowa Interstate Railroad
or its parent company, Railroad Development Corporation,
aside from the owner being a life long fan of the railroad.
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