Canadian Railroads > Chicago Railroad Inspiration

Hi all.

First post here. Taking a stab Chicago is considered Canada still.

I’m building a 8’x9’ HO scale layout based on Chicago. I’m thinking about running it as the CP Elgin Sub, but I was curious of the train traffic. I’m also adding a bascule bridge and automotive plant, breaking for a true Chicago prototype. 

So my questions for the group: 
Do any Metra trains run over a Bascule Bridge? 
Which Metra lines are single tracked? 
How much traffic does the CP Elgin Sub have? What about the CP C&M Sub? 

I know with my layout size I won’t have a perfect model of Chicago, but I’d like to be close enough. 

Thanks, 
Dan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/19 16:20 by railtrackdesign.

You'd be better off posting this on the Western or Passenger Boards.(Just sayin' as a Chicago-area native)

railtrackdesign Wrote:
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> So my questions for the group: 
> Do any Metra trains run over a Bascule Bridge? 
AFAIK, no. Metra Southwest Service and Heritage Corriodor trains do use the lift bridge over the Chicago River south of Union Station

> Which Metra lines are single tracked? 
Milwaukee North Line north of Rondout, IL where it branches off the C&M.
Southwest Service south of the 143rd Street Orland Park Station
UP Northwest Line branch from Crystal Lake to McHenry
Metra Electric Blue Island branch

> How much traffic does the CP Elgin Sub have? What
> about the CP C&M Sub? 

Only a handful of freights on the Elgin line. About 10-12 on the line to Milwaukee

> I know with my layout size I won’t have a
> perfect model of Chicago, but I’d like to be
> close enough. 
>
> Thanks, 
> Dan

Metra UP North Line crosses the North Branch of the Chicago river on a bascule bridge
north of the Clybourn station.

Metra Heritage ex-GM&O crosses the south fork of the South Branch of the Chicago river
on a bascule bridge at Bridgeport.

Thanks Englewood. I forgot about those two.

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