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The Chichester and Sweet Hollow RR is loosely fashioned after the Middletown to Willimantic segment of the New Haven RR. This 1:29 scale garden railroad is designed for ops. We hosted a session on the new extension at the last IslandOps and everyone, including us, came away happy.rnA reservoir to the south of Chichester is providing a small percentage of its spoil to assist the C & S H in converting an old trestle into a fill. Until the trestle over Sweet Hollow gorge is back in action, freight traffic is being offloaded at Sweet Hollow Industrial Transfer Co. where trucks swarm around the loading platforms. Traffic is heavy here and demands much of the crews. The sounds of a busy transfer depot are heard throughout the valley. (This facility is twelve-odd feet long with its own sound system.) rnThe year is 1964 and the important terminal grain elevator at Sweet Hollow is struggling to handle the burgeoning traffic. Local collection elevators fear giving up their PS-1 boxcars out of concern that they will not be replaced. At Sweet Hollow covered hoppers are being loaded at a rapid pace allowing the now more-primitive boxcars to be returned to smaller local elevators. Grain is being sorted and transferred to brand new 100 ton hoppers while grain doors are being removed from the forty footers that will soon be taken out of grain service - But it is the harvest and there are never enough cars to handle demand.rnThis layout has pioneered many new construction methods. The main line is about 1200 feet long and it climbs forty feet from the lowest point to the summit. Helper service is an essential part of operations.rnA newly-reconfigured track arrangement makes working the main terminal much more efficient - and eliminated some pesky sharp curves! As always, progress is occuring on many fronts and we hope you'll join us for a great day of outdoor operations.rnLayout Handicap Accessibility: Gravel Paths and slopes. Hilly terrain with two steps to follow mainline trains.rnThe Great Lakes & Iron Range indoor layout will be operated in case of inclement weather.rnThe host's COVID policy is for all guests to be fully vaccinated per CDC guidelines and to wear masks if exhibiting any upper respiratory symptoms.rn
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