Level 1Level 1
The lowest level (El:35") are the hidden return tracks of the main Water Level Route (Level 2), that sits above it. It connects to Herkimer in the east of Utica and simulates all routes east to New York. At the other end from Utica, it is 'all points west' to Chicago. On route from Herkimer, the parallel tracks expand to 2 tracks in both directions, which will act a serial staging holding a total of 16 six ft long trains.
The western end of Utica and the return tracks from Herkimer enter the lower 6 train parallel staging yard (El:39"), plus a through track, in the peninsular. In addition, the interchange tracks of the O&W and DL&W from Utica enter this yard on the through track. The NYC tracks direction of travel in the staging is anticlockwise through the peninsular.
If you trace the possible routes through this lower staging yard, you will find that trains arrive from both Utica ( level 2) and Herkimer (coming from the level 1 return tracks) and can depart to either Utica or Herkimer. This explains the unusual crossover tracks at the exit of Utica / Herkimer into the level 1 trackage - I had to get the 2 eastbound and 2 westbound Water Level Route onto one track each - remember the NYC track directions!!
The use of a parallel staging with serial staging allows train order to be changed for entry to Utica / Herkimer
There is a fiddle track which is accessible to all trains entering the staging yard, to enable consists to be easily changed during an operating session. This is a 3 ft removable section of track, contained within an aluminium 'U' channel which is slid out on runners to gain access. The train enters the channel, 3 ft of foam rubber is placed above the train trapping it to the track, with end pieces to stop it falling out. This is slid out, unclipped (phono plugs as locators and track feeds at both ends) and removed as a complete train. This can be replaced by another aluminium channel, with a new train prestaged ready to enter the staging area. I can pre-stage as many trains as I have channels. If the train is greater than 3 ft, a lead track is provided to accommodate the extra 3 ft and manually pulled onto a new channel.