Blue Whale
| Diorama: | |
| Owner Name: | NEONS |
| Sponsor: | Razor / Fearless Leader |
| Date Built: | 2006 |
| Date Updated: | |
| Status: | Active |
| Module Type: | 6' narrow inside corner module |
| Length: | 102" |
| Width: | 24" |
| Skyboard: | 12" laminate |
Track
| Code | Brand | Turnouts | Crossovers | Passing Sidings | Yard Tracks | Industrial Spurs | Other Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | Atlas | 3 Peco long | none | 6' blue line w/kill switch | none | one - see below | none |
Electrical
| Wire | Connector | 110V | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 12 gauge | PP-30 | |
| Yellow | 12 gauge | PP-30 | |
| Blue | 12 gauge | PP-30 | |
| Other | Yes |
| DCC Equipment: | none |
| Powered Accessories: | none |
| Designer | Carpentry | Track | Wiring | Scenery | Oklahoma Scene | Route 66 Scene | Prototype RR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Razor & Fearless Leader | Kroutter | Razor | Razor | Fearless Leader, Bill Clifford |
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Track Plan
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The Blue line has a six-foot long siding that has a spur for Olsen Feeds. The blue line is
wired with a slide switch on the back of the skyboard that selects whether the blue main or the
blue siding is hot. This allows us to park a train on either track.
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Sign Board
By 1969 the new Will Rogers Turnpike had reduced traffic along historic old Route 66, but new
attractions were still being built. One of the most recognizable icons on the Mother Road was the
80 foot long grinning Blue Whale located just east of downtown Catoosa, Oklahoma. The attraction was
built on a pond by Hugh Davis as an anniversary gift to his wife Zelta and was intended for family use
only. Many locals began sneaking in to enjoy the pond's cool waters and slide down the whale's tail so
Davis brought in sand, built picnic tables, hired life guards, and opened his masterpiece to the public.
The Blue Whale is still there. Tourists and locals continue to enjoy picnics and take pictures, but the
park is no longer open for swimming.
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Description & History
| Most inside corners are a standard 4' corner with the sky-board on the other side. In order to have large radius turns, the tracks are at the back which require a 4' or 6' transition module on each end to swing the tracks to the rear. We took a different approach and built a one piece, 6' inside corner. This design allows for smooth, large radius turns (29" on the red line and 32" radius on the blue line) without the need for transition modules. The module is a standard 2' deep, but is 8 1/2' long from tip to tip. The narrow depth makes it easier to move the module through a standard width door. This module debuted at the 2006 OKC Train Show. |
Industry Details
| Industry | Access Track | Switch Direction | Car Types | Spur Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olsen Feeds | Blue | ccw | box cars | 2 |