Name: Butte Line
Scale: HO (1:87.1)
Size: 38 x 38 feet
Prototype: Union Pacific’s branch line from Pocatello, Idaho, to Butte, Mont.
Locale: Southeastern Idaho and south-central Montana
Era: 1954
Style: Point-to-point walkaround
Mainline run: 280 feet, including hidden staging and return loops (140 feet excluding staging)
Minimum radii: 48″ main line, 32″ yards, staging and return loops
Minimum turnout: no. 8 main line, no. 6 yards, staging and return loops
Maximum grade: 2 percent
Benchwork: Modular ladder frames with attached backdrop
Height: 53″ to 57″ in scenicked area (49″ with hidden return loops included)
Roadbed: Vinylbed
Track: Micro Engineering code 83 flex track, main line and return loops; code 70 sidings, yards, and staging; code 55 on some spurs
Scenery: Paper shell covered with plaster cloth, rubber rocks
Backdrop: Handpainted plywood
Control: NCE wireless Digital Command Control
The track plan originally appeared in the May 2015 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the link to download a PDF copy of this track plan.
