CB&Q - Chicago-Aurora-C&I An HO Scale Railroad by Nancy & Scott Stearns
Set in the early to mid-1960s, the railroad runs from Chicago (Chicago Union Station & Cicero Yard) to Savanna, IL with North Staging at La Crosse, WI. The run from Chicago to Aurora includes the famous triple track “racetrack” that handles all freight traffic and eventually the Zephyrs and Dinkies.
West of Aurora, the mainline splits with the CB&Q main (Mendota sub) heading to Galesburg and Streator staging and the C&I going up the helix towards Savanna. The C&I was a single mainline with passing sidings in each town along the way.
At Savanna - the tracks can go in three different directions - North to La Crosse staging, South to Galesburg and Moline (via the Pea Vine) and East to Chicago.
There are three major yards on the railroad - Cicero on the East End, Savanna on the North End and Eola in Aurora. Each yard will have a Yardmaster and one or two switchers. Most local jobs originate out of Eola with a few out of Savanna and Cicero.
The mainline is fully detected and under CTC control. Management of the railroad is split into three districts (East End, Aurora Tower and C&I), with Dispatchers handling the C&I and East End. Traffic through Aurora is under the watchful eye of the Aurora Tower Operator.