My layout allows single track operation along the route from Eugene to Cascade Summit, with passing sidings at Wicopee, Fields and Cascade Summit for allowing trains to navigate past each other in opposite directions.  The main operation that I model is bringing trains out of Eugene, adding helpers at Oakridge to assist trains up the hill to Cascade Summit and then returning the helpers to Oakridge for another trip up the hill.  Freight cars can originate at the Eugene Yard, Superior Paper or Glacier Gravel.  Since I operate the layout alone, it is designed to allow main line traffic to keep running if I'm working in the Superior Paper or Eugene yards.  The layout is at 48 - 58 inches above the ground.  This allows for a good viewing angle when running the trains.

This is my second version of the Cascade Subdivision.  The original layout was dismantled and construction of this version started in January 2006.  At this time the layout is mostly complete, but there is plenty of detail still to be added.  A duck under is required to enter the layout room, but we're open for business.

This next few shots give an overview of the layout, so you can see generally what it looks like.  This is a picture looking towards Wicopee.  The Fields passing siding is on the right side of the picture.  The entrance to the staging tracks is on the far left.

This is the Fields passing siding.

This is the south end of the Fields siding.  You can see the entrance to tunnel 8 at the rear on the left.  On the right is Oakridge..

In this picture Cascade Summit is on the left and the Superior Paper plant in Eugene is on the right.

This is the east end of the Cascade Summit passing siding where the track enters the helix to travel down to the Eugene yard, which can be seen on the right.

In this picture you can see the difference in elevation of the Eugene yard on the left and Cascade Summit on the right.  This is the narrowest aisle in the layout room.

The track plan is shown below.  There are many improvements in this layout over the previous version:

The layout is loosely based on the Union Pacific Cascade subdivision from Eugene to Cascade Summit, Oregon.  This allows me to model great mountain scenery and 6-axle UP road locomotives.  The track is Atlas code 100 flex track and Peco #5 and #6 turnouts.  The base for the flat section of the layout is foam board on top of 3/8” plywood.  The mountains are made from cardboard strip forms covered with paper towels dipped in plaster of paris.  The rock outcrops are hand carved from plaster of paris.  There are two types of conifer trees, one from furnace filters and dowel rods and the other from twisted wire and sisal rope.  Control is provided by a Digitrax Super Empire Builder.