Level 2
This is the main Water Level Route trackage, extending from Utica in the west, to Herkimer in the east and is completely visible.
The main Utica Yard (El: 39") is 15ft long, and is a reasonable selective reduction of the prototype. All of the interchanges with the Adirondack Line, O&W and DL&Ware included in the correct geographical representation.
The Adirondack Line leaves northbound parallel with the NYC going to Chicago, whilst over on the other side of this main line, the O&W and DL&W arrive from the south.
Both of these two lines had considerable yards and engine facilities adjacent to the NYC, but with limited space I have only included a small representation of the O&W facilities.
The main yard is double ended to allow classification of incoming cars, whilst makeup of new trains is done at the other end. The engine terminal will serve both steam and diesel locomotives.
Local industries were on both the north and south side of the yard. The ones on the north side (left hand wall) include a 4 track LCL depot and several small industries. On the south side, the RPO and REA facilities are served on the south side of the station, whilst a long spur goes down Broad Street where numerous textile industries are to be found. This south side industrial area will provide quite a switching headache for some operators.
The main throat entering from the west end is really complex. It took a few weeks to determine the track so that the Adirondack Line, O&W and DL&W could reach all required tracks within Utica for both passenger and freight. I was delighted on recently finding a photo of the prototype that my track arrangement was very similar to the original. So someone else had a headache 90 years ago!!!
Herkimer was a small town where the predominate industries were associated with the timber trade, making furniture etc. The passenger tracks were moved from Main Street, and hence the divergence of tracks. The curved spur serves a large timber yard, while the others lead to the furniture plants.