I have been in the track planning stage for over a year, while I contemplated the overall design and design features that I wanted to incorporate, and I am about 90% completed. Like everyone else, I have a lot of "back" work to look forward to, before I can begin track construction. The rock wall shown above will line either side of the "dry river" drainage trench that extends across the whole yard and defines the train topography for the whole yard. I now have about 80% of the yard fenced in too.
My checklist for other projects has now been dwindled down to only four. 1) Finish the other 1/4 of the fencing. 2) Add the raised beds that will line the fence on both sides (the back fence shown will stay the way it is now). 3) Build a small deck over my even smaller existing patio. 4) Build some sort of "tool shed" to store all of my yard tools.
Now that I have covered the basics of how the layout will be built, let me walk you through the finished version as I have planned it. The time is the late 1920's, and differing from the prototype, the line remained narrow gauge, and continues to operate using its older, but well maintained equipment.
Walking out of the back door from the house and onto the deck, the first thing you will notice is the rail yard at Canton. Its distinctive train shed is reminiscent of the W&ARR Atlanta station, which was destroyed in 1864. Heading out from Canton, the line will gently curve around the corner of the house, and then will turn 180° as it passes through the town of Tate. This will represent the "Hook" portion of the prototype. The line will cross the "dry river" and follow it as the line heads physically south. The line will cross the "dry river" again as it enters East Ellijay, loops back and crosses the "dry river" to enter Ellijay. Ellijay will be the largest city on the line, and will be represented by many buildings and several large industries. East Ellijay will be more rural, but will contribute to the overall large feel of Ellijay.
The line then will loop up over itself crossing the "dry river" for the fourth time, to represent the "Eye" portion of the prototype. It will head east as it runs along the boundary line and will make a broad 180° curve as it climbs back towards the final stop on the line. (Granted, the "Eye" portion of the line was not located near Ellijay on the prototype, but it is a feature I wanted to include and the topography of my yard allows me to include it at this spot on the line.)
The last stop is Blue Ridge, which will serve as the terminus of the line. It is also the base of operations for the Kitchen Lumber Company, whose spur will head up into the surrounding hills to service the lumber company camps, and to bring the lumber back down to town. I would like to include a sawmill and log pond close by, but that part plan is still on the drawing board.
At Blue Ridge, the line will make a reverse loop and then retrace its path back towards Canton. Sidings located at Tate, Ellijay and Blue Ridge will allow me to operate several trains at one time if I choose, and on-board batteries will provide power. I am also planning to use the Aristo TE for remote control.