The New SLF - continued

Level "2" - Iselle di Trasquera, Bivio Ossolano, and the Simplon Tunnel

Situated at the south portal of the Simplon Tunnel is the Italian town of Iselle di Trasquera. The railway here is somewhat unique in that the track is in Italy but the line is operated by the SBB all the way to Domodossola some 30 kilometers (18 miles) distant. I believe that the right of way is maintained by the Italians, but the signals are Swiss and the catenary poles are a mixture of Swiss and Italian design.


Swiss signal in Italian territory - note the distinctive FS Type M catenary poles.
(photo from the bahnCH YahooGroup)
Click here to visit the Bivio Ossolano Photo Gallery.

Bivio Ossolano: I'm bending reality a bit at this point in order to provide a small interchange between the Swiss SBB and the Italian FS consisting of a crossover connecting the double-track main to the line coming out of the Italian layover yard. This connection will allow certain trains, like the multi-current RAe TEE and steam- or diesel-hauled excursion specials, to travel from Domodossola (SBB layover) to Formazza and on up the Toce Valley to Oberwald. I've also departed from the truth a bit by using concrete-tie track (very European) instead of the wood-tie track that still predominates at this location.


Plan of the first visible level - Each grid square is 3"x3" (76mm square)
Click on the plan for a larger view

The trackwork at this level and above is Peco Fine Scale (Code 55). Just before the mains diverge (to negotiate the reversing loop), the track enters the south portals of the Simplon Tunnel. This hides the return loop with stopping section keeping each train from immediately reappearing on the visible portion of the layout.

Upon receiving the Sommerfeld catenary bridges for the double-track mainline, I quickly realized that I should have looked at the NEM Standards before I laid the track. I had to narrow the centerline spacing a bit to get it all worked out!

26 Jan 2004 - Finally, some scenery! In the days leading up to the 2004 Albuquerque Great American Train Show, I managed to get the basic scenery installed around the South Portals. The rockwork is lightweight Hydrocal cast in rubber molds and stained with acrylic washes. By the end of the show, I added basic ground cover and several dozen fir trees, in the process conducting several impromtu scenery clinics for interested spectators. There are several details still to be added before I ballast the track and install the catenary.

5 Mar 2006 - The 2006 "Great Western & Atlantic Train Show" (GWATS, formerly GATS) is history. The Faller Car System worked well and the RAe TEE ran flawlessly. I also tried my Atlas (Tomix) track cleaner car for the first time and it managed to collect about a quarter-teaspoon of loose crud and dust. Still, the working bus was the hit of the show, and folks were coming over to see it on the recommendation of others.


Photo of the South Portal area mostly complete - compare with the photo below.
Click on the photo to visit the Iselle Photo Gallery.

Also hidden within the mountain is a stub-end track with two spring switches. This will be used by the push-pull trains to reverse direction without going through the loop and will ensure that the locomotive is always on the uphill end for greater reliability.


Actual photo of the south portals of the Simplon Tunnel (Pola makes the kit)
Note here the distinctive Swiss catenary bridges - but this is Italy!
Click on the photo for another view showing the valley beyond

The Italian single-track line will continue to climb up and over the hidden Simplon loop until it reaches Formazza.

Up to Formazza!

Last update: 5 Mar 2006