As promised, Patrick was here today, and as usual a lot got done. We started by finishing filling in between the tracks with plywood. This will all be riverbed, but because it's winter, it will all be frozen.
![IMG_8101 IMG_8101](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406945/fodoid/77734316128406928/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8101.JPG)
We moved on to the Cottage Grove scene. Here Patrick is installing 2x4 supports.
![IMG_8085 IMG_8085](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406949/fodoid/77734316128406931/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8085.JPG)
By the end of the day this will all be covered with the OSB from the old floor, which was swapped out for 3/4" ply.
![IMG_8086 IMG_8086](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406950/fodoid/77734316128406932/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8086.JPG)
![IMG_8087 IMG_8087](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406951/fodoid/77734316128406933/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8087.JPG)
With all of the irregular shapes to fill, it's almost like a jigsaw puzzle, no seriously, we used the jigsaw to cut everything. As you can see, Patrick grabbed my camera again.
![IMG_8089 IMG_8089](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406952/fodoid/77734316128406934/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8089.JPG)
The OSB is filled in between the mains from St Croix to Chemolite the full length of the scene. Here you are looking uphill from St Croix.
![IMG_8090 IMG_8090](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406953/fodoid/77734316128406935/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8090.JPG)
Here it is looking downhill from Chemolite.
![IMG_8091 IMG_8091](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406955/fodoid/77734316128406936/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8091.JPG)
Patrick is installing another support for the section between the main and the Chemolite spurs.
![IMG_8092 IMG_8092](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406956/fodoid/77734316128406937/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8092.JPG)
![IMG_8093 IMG_8093](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406957/fodoid/77734316128406938/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8093.JPG)
I'm stapling sections of cardboard to fill the vertical gap between the mains. This will get plaster cloth, and probably some carved rock faces.
![IMG_8094 IMG_8094](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406958/fodoid/77734316128406939/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8094.JPG)
There's still one little piece left to fill in here, but a small section will remain open for access. The plan is to have 3D structures on both sides of the tracks.
![IMG_8097 IMG_8097](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406959/fodoid/77734316128406940/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8097.JPG)
This is the real 3M Cottage Grove site. The Mississippi is on the right, and the BNSF (ex Cb&Q) main is right next to the river. On the other side of the plant, on higher ground, are the CP (ex Milwaukee Road) tracks. Both railroads share both tracks and are dispatched by the BNSF in Ft Worth, TX.
![](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406946/fodoid/77734316128406929/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/mceclip0.png)
Here's a closer view of the tracks entering the plant.
![](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406947/fodoid/77734316128406930/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/mceclip1.png)
More of the cardboard embankment is stapled in place.
![IMG_8099 IMG_8099](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/77734316128406960/fodoid/77734316128406941/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8099.JPG)
I'll be back at it tomorrow. The plan is for Patrick to return next Saturday.