The Spokane International was a railroad built in 1906 and ran from Spokane, Washington through the Idaho panhandle to Eastport on the Canadian border where it interchanged with the CP.  It was fully dieselized by 1950, became a subsidiary of the UP in 1959, and lost its identity entirely when UP designated its trackage as the Spokane Sub-division of the Oregon Division.

This HO version attempts to recreate the main features of the SI including a branch line in approximately 500 square feet.  Hence, it is double decked with a double helix.  Interchanges with the UP, GN, NP, and SP&S at the west end, MILW at Coeur d’Alene, the GN at Dover and Bonners Ferry, the NP at Sandpoint, and the CP at Eastport help make operations interesting. The era for the layout is adjustable from early fifties with passenger trains, mid-fifties with all freight, and late fifties with UP Fs and Geeps roaming the rails.

The era for the layout is adjustable from early fifties with passenger trains, mid-fifties with all freight, and late fifties with UP Fs and Geeps roaming the rails.

RailPro Wireless Radio is used for train control, while a customized tab-on-car system directs the movement of car traffic.  The dispatcher issues clearances and uses TT&TO for directing the line-up of expected trains, with a fast clock running a 3:1 ratio. 

Operating positions include 1 dispatcher (with oversight), 1 Yardmaster, and 4 Road/Switch crews. Each Road/Switch crew position is guaranteed to operate at least one switch/local job and at least one mainline job using a sequenced lineup.

The layout is relatively new, and as a result scenery is currently 10% complete. Current plans are to work hard to get more done before the June event deadline!