RiverRail - BNSF Kootenai River sub by Dave Waraxa

Set in the western part of the United States, this freelanced late 90's BNSF layout is CTC controlled by a dispatcher using a computer. The Kootenai (pronounced Koot nee) River sub is what the BNSF calls the location running between Spokane Washington and Whitefish Montana. This area allows me to have some UP and MRL trains exercising trackage rights on the BNSF. The UP train switches out Kootenai River and the MRL works Foston. Most trains have work to do along the way with a few running straight through.

Crews communicate with the dispatcher, when they need to, by using my two way radios. The DCC system is "Digitrax Super Chief" with hand held plug-in UT1 and UT4 throttles. Car movements are created by a computer program called RailOp. which creates switch lists for the yard crews as well as manifests for the road crews. The car movements are by need, meaning the same car usually will not go to the same place time after time. If you ran a layout which used RailOp and didn't like the way the program was set up, you have to try this one. I've been told, by car card guys, that I have the program running real well compared to others. So if you tried RailOp before and came away from the session thinking, "I'll never run on a RailOp controlled layout again," please try our layouts up here. With any computer program, there is a need to tell "it" what to do. Come and try it and see for yourself.

The layout, which is accessable through a walkout, no stairs, basement door, is one level, point to point, running through the entire basement. It will occupy up to 12 operators with the following jobs. Dispatcher (dispatches trains using a CTC panel on a computer screen. I have two types available for the dispatcher to use. For those who like the lever and button style of CTC panel, I have a computer created CTC panel for you to use. For those who would like to use a more modern, point and click style, I have that up and running now as well. This person also has control over most mainline turnouts. Crews need to watch the signals on this CTC controled system. Other jobs available, Hauser Yard master and yard crew, Troy switch crew, Potlatch Mill switch crew, UP KRID job, MRL jobs, and the rest for various road crew assignments.

Work will continue on the scenery when I can, touching up the Foston and paper mill areas. Check the photo page for updated pictures.. I try to have relaxed sessions so please feel free to come over and take the BNSF Kootenai River sub for a spin.

The Spokane expansion, which added 100' of mainline and the new main yard at Hauser, is operational and scenery is being added by the week. The expansion made me think about a name change. Idaho Falls is an actual location, and Idaho Falls is served by the UP, (didn't realize this way back when). So I needed to give this BNSF layout a better identity.