The Hills Line - Modeling the IAIS Hills Industrial Spur in HO Scale

[James M]

Scenes from the IAIS Hills Industrial Spur in HO Scale. More information on The Hills Line at http://thehillsline.com

[Steve H AC&Y]

I always have to do a double take when I see your photos James. It is real or . . . . Very well done.

Steve Holzheimer

[Paul S.]

Me too, James. Long an admirer from the Grimes Lines days!

[James M]

Thank you both

[Allen]

Welcome James! That first shot and the river scene are killer!
Thanks for posting and sharing!

[Michael Whiteman]

That bridge shot, and especially the water is nothing short of spectacular. So glad you joined us here James. You've got a great layout.

[James M]

Thank you everyone

[James M]

ICSW-18 picks up a cut of cars from the Maiden Lane interchange in Iowa City. More information on The Hills Line at http://thehillsline.com

[BillyJoeBob]

Nice coupling, I think I heard hear the pin fall - you planning to teach this finesse to your future operators? What I've seen so far of your ops is quite real time. No need to run a lot of trains and one spends a lot of time on the ground. What is your uncoupling tool?

BJB

[TimMoran]

Good morning James,

Love your videos and the railroad depicted in them. Your modeling and operational attention to detail are a goal I seek to achieve in my work!

Thanks again,

Tim Moran

[James M]

How we tell others that our train is complete. More information on The Hills Line at http://thehillsline.com

[Paul S.]

Very intrigued about the CRANDIC era, James.

And very convincing weathering on the boxcar, especially the wheel faces. ...

[James M]

I recently was able to pickup an Atlas MP15 in CRANDIC colors, with the idea that I could quickly backdate the layout by one year, to before the IAIS lease era. Full details at http://thehillsline.com/2021/05/06/duality/

[Paul S.]

Would I be correct in assuming the CRANDIC interchanged with the IAIS, James?

[James M]

Correct Paul. The CRANDIC and the Iowa Interstate have been partners since their inception. Interchange, at various levels, has always occurred between the two roads in Iowa City. The lease of the prototype Hills Line occurred in 2012 since the CRANDIC's main traffic base was located more in Cedar Rapids, leaving the remaining customers at a disadvantage.

More details on the prototype lease arrangement are available, as always, at http://thehillsline.com/prototype/

[James M]

A rather blatant humblebrag this morning, but still cool nonetheless. Now available from Kalmbach Media.

[James M]

Sure thing Paul. I'm hoping to be able to start in-people op sessions sometime later this year.

[Allen]

Yes, Congratulations James.

[James M]

Thank you both