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Our basement is a less-than-stellar layout space. That simple statement has driven the design of The Hills Line, and continues to do so. Despite improvements made to the space over the years, I'm still making improvements to the layout due to the space. Case in point, the two lift-out sections. To allow access to both … Continue reading Gap Insurance
The IAIS lease of the CRANDIC's Hills Line was a failure. That may seem harsh, but it's accurate. An agreement was made between the two companies that, in theory, should have been beneficial to the point that it would still be in place today. But obviously that didn't happen, since the Iowa Interstate chose not … Continue reading Milepost 31.83
It's humbling to discover that even after living with a design for the better part of four years that there are still ways to improve on my original concept for The Hills Line. Such is the case on the north end of the town of Hills, where I've realized that I could shorten the length … Continue reading Realignment
The prototype Hills Line is a combination of the CRANDIC Railway's original interurban line between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa and the Rock Island's ex-BCR&N line that ran between Elmira and Iowa Junction, Iowa. Both lines are well past the century mark, and therefore littered with railroad relics. I knew from the outset that … Continue reading Evidence of Things Not Seen
The Hills Line 