New South Staging

We are in the process of upgrading our south staging for improved operations. Currently, Columbia Gardens has 3 tracks and a "main" going to a reverse loop. None of the tracks will hold a full length train. This limits the number and length of trains that can be sent south from Castlegar. Trains that were sent to staging reappear in Castlegar during the same operating session. By increasing the number and length of staging tracks, we eliminate this. By design, the upgraded staging will also allow for active staging (manually changing cars in a train) if the operation department wishes. The design allows room for other trains that would be "Extras" that can just run through to Kamloops or Sicamous.

Additionally we are upgrading Van Horne staging which is only a reverse loop, again trains reappearing to the same session. The final addition will be Nelson Staging. This will come off the Castlegar wye, giving us the ability to run CP trains from Van Horne through Castlegar to Nelson

Phase 1 - Columbia Gardens Coach Yard

Columbia Gardens Coach Yard had been mostly complete but never brought to fruition. After awhile, some track started lifting, probably due to extreme humidity changes when there was a water leak in the area. The track has now been removed and the coach yard rebuild is now included in phase 2.

Phase 2 - Columbia Gardens

The new Columbia Gardens Staging will include a new coach yard as well as 6 full length staging tracks and a run through "Main" track. This replaces our existing Columbia Gardens which has 3 tracks that can't hold full length trains. The extra tracks allow for more trains to be held in staging so that the same train doesn't "appear" on the visible part of the layout the same "day". Passenger trains will be routed to the coach yard and backed in, there by not taking up any staging tracks.
All of the Columbia Gardens trackage will be within a massive reverse loop.

• Track Plan
• New South Staging Progress 1
• New South Staging Progress 2
• New South Staging Progress 3

Phase 3 - CPR West Staging - Van Horne

Phase 3 has not yet started. Plan will be reviewed after Phase 2 is complete. The new Staging will replace the existing Van Horne Staging and have ability of holding several full length trains

• Track Plan

Phase 4 - Blueberry Creek and CPR East Staging - Nelson

Phase 4 has not yet started. Plan will be reviewed after Phase 3 is complete.

• Replace the existing Columbia Gardens staging yard with a single 35car (240in) siding to be called Blueberry Creek
• Install a new four track yard consisting of (3) three yard tracks and (1) one main track. The new yard to be installed approximately 6in below the current elevation of the existing Columbia Gardens staging track.

Phase 5 - Castlegar Wye Extension

Realign tail of the Castlegar Wye to allow for it to be extended around the end of the Tadanac peninsula under the south end of Castlegar to join up with the CPR East staging yard (Nelson).