Modern Urban Chicago - Printable Version

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Modern Urban Chicago - dave_long - 11-01-2011

Hi all,
I'm just putting out an idea to gain some opinions from you knowledgeable people. I'm really inspired by this layout, that some off you may know of, its from a modeler in Germany, ( A lot of talented folk in Germany! ). You can see it here and read if you use google translate as its written in German http://www.frankenmodell.de/xstreet.html Its a small layout, but we Brits love small layouts and I really like this idea, although I prefer modelling the East coast, although finding an urban jungle that still switches cars in the street isn't as popular as the West coast cities. Although Chicago does provide such places that are very modelable.

I've always been fascinated by the Continental Paper grading building next to the Amtrak depot. http://www.flyerguide.net/viewphoto.php?id=335218&nseq=3 However this is Norfolk Southern rails, which I like as I do model NS, however that doesn't fit the rest of the layout design, but I thought that I could use the CIRY shortline just around the corner off W Cermak Rd, but as they are separate railroads and the CIRY tracks are/were owned by BNSF. I was wondering whether you guys thought that I could get away with using scenery from both of the railroads and use it in a similar way to the X street layout above. I do plan that I would only use one set of loco stock at any one time, as I like NS and ex connie Geeps and the 2 SWs that the CIRY used are very attractive.

What do you guys think about my idea?

CIRY http://www.flickr.com/photos/18682661@N06/sets/72157624642065468/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Illinois_Railroad

Thanks
Dave

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - MrBill - 11-01-2011

Oh cool! I forgot about Alex Losch. He used to have his stuff on Carl's micro site pretty regularly. Yeah man, that's a good all around standard micro there. my current layout is basically the same plan minus the 4th branch off the sector plate and no run around. His minimalist structures are really effective too. Definitely, do up a chicago version! Nice to see some new input on the layout thread here.

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - cnw1961 - 11-01-2011

Dave, nothing wrong with your idea, go for it. BTW, do you know the Chicago Switching site? I got lots of inspiration there: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chicagoswitching.com/v6/">http://www.chicagoswitching.com/v6/</a><!-- m -->

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - FCIN - 11-01-2011

Kurt is right. The Chicago Northside Switching Operations web site has all sorts of inspiration on it. As for short lines currently operating in the Chicago area, don't forget the Chicago Terminal Railroad. http://www.iowapacific.net/chicago-terminal-railroad.html They operate in a lot of very interesting areas around Chicago, especially the N. Lakewood Ave - N. Kingsbury St areas (some of which has now been abandoned).

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - dave_long - 11-02-2011

Thanks for the replies guys.

MrBill
I have seen Alex's work on Carl site before, but even Alex states that this plan was adpated from an 0 scale French based US HO modeller, (not sure whether he is on this site or not) Some more photos of Alex's layout can be found here http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=242473&postcount=5
I think that using a similar layout but with Chicago's traditional style brick built industrial buildings would alter the look of the layout dramatically and take away any thoughts of 'that looks like that West Coast switching layout'.

Kurt,
Again thanks for the input, I did find that website again only yesterday, but do remember looking through it a few years ago, and your right there are some great images and a wealth of information on their forum.

Ed,
Thanks I've only managed a quick look at the Chicago terminal railroad, I've done quite a bit of research on the CIRY and do like the 2 SWs they have in that yard, but I do have to admit that the CTR locos have a very smart paint scheme themselves. I've set a time period of 2005+ which means I've got some scope for sections of Chicago that have only recently been abandoned/closed. Its worth noting that even the CIRY has ceased trading and that area has gone back to BNSF, as there are some youtube clips of the last day of CIRY workings, and a video of a BNSF GP50 working the line since. Whether I add enough track in the headshunt for GP50 is another matter though.

So thanks again for the input, I think I'll put a plan together and find some more suitable buildings that fit the requirements, back to the photos and maps.

Kind regards
Dave

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - alcanman - 11-02-2011

Hi Dave,

'West Coast Switching' has also recently come to my attention, and I'm looking to do something similar for my
next project. Also, that pic of Continental Paper is superb, just crying out to be modelled.

Look forward to seeing your track plan.


regards,

Mal

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - dave_long - 11-02-2011

Hi Mal,
It's a great little plan and doesn't take up too much room, always ideal for a small exhibition style layout. I've known about that Paper co. longer than I've actually modeled US railroads. So it will be a bit of a challenge to fit in a representation of it, but one I'm looking forward too.

I've also got two Switchers to recreate. Although there does seem to be some confusion over whether the last 2 CIRY SWs are SW1200s or SW9s. From what I can tell is that this loco 1206 1206 Looking like a model... is actually a SW9 and not a SW1200 as its been labelled on the cab. But I think its sister loco 1209 here CIRY 1209 @ Sangamon Ave Chicago is a SW1200. Looking through some other website posts there does seem to be quite a bit of discussion over exactly which loco these actually are. Any SW experts out there. Although there is actually a CIRY worker on flickr so I might try and get in touch with him.

However there is NS GP38-3 build I've got to get finished first, but that another story. Confusedhock:


Dave

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - FCIN - 11-03-2011

dave_long Wrote:Any SW experts out there.
Dave
No SW expert by any means, but can give you this much information regarding the SW-9/SW-1200. The SW-9 has six (6) louvers in the battery box behind the cab, where the SW-1200 only has five (5), otherwise, there are no differences. You'd have to be able to see the cab end of the locomotive to possibly identify which model it is and that may not help as according to information that I have, SW-1200's built between Jan 1954 and Mar 1955 still have six (6) louvers and are indistinguishable from SW-9's. You'd pretty much have to have access to the builder's number in order to be sure which is which.

By the way, I loved that CB&Q paint scheme that was applied to CIRY 1206. Very classy, although like some others, I felt that the "Central Illinois" lettering was much too small. I also wasn't aware that CIRY had ceased operations either. Hate it when an interesting short line goes out of business.

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - dave_long - 11-03-2011

Ed,
Thanks for the tip about the louvres. I did find this photo which shows both locos cab to cab which was good of them. By my reckoning that's 6 louvers on locos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/8245761@N07/4646033637/

Dave

Edit
Ed as you mentioned to absolutely sure you'll need the batch/order/build numbers, well the RR pictures archive has come up trumps on that and I'm happy that the locos are SW9s, its obviously just as confusing for the real engineers considering that 1206 has SW1200 painted under the number on the cab! Confusedhock:
Link to RR here http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=97585
And this link does show 1206 with SW1200 on the cabside http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2717326

Thanks guys, just need to find a couple P2K locos to detail up.

Dave

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - dave_long - 11-04-2011

Just thought I'd add the basic first track plan. Obviously the trackplan is very close to Alex's version although I'll be using peco code 75 track ( I might use shinohara code 70 if I feel like adpating their turnouts again to DCC friendly, a pain to do but they do look good) but they will mostly be buried.

I'm still working on what buildings to use I've found some I quite like and I'll show you all some links later. I am concious of Alexs layout and I'm hoping that it doesn't look like a copy.

[Image: 6311574707_0e61ba39c8_b.jpg]

Dave

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - shortliner - 11-04-2011

Dave - there is nothing new - but I am looking forward to seeing yours - and it appearing in the scrapbook
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page65a/index.html">http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page65a/index.html</a><!-- m --> and <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page71/index.html">http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page71/index.html</a><!-- m -->
Best
Jack

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - dave_long - 11-04-2011

Thanks Jack,
Yes I know there are lots of versions of your box St plan, although I hadn't realised Alex's Fat city layout was an adapted version. Plus of course my layout will be just that, my layout. The buildings will be different and so will the stock. Would certainly like to see something of mine in the scrapbook.

Dave

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - dave_long - 11-08-2011

Found the perfect building to model for the low relief building that will sit behind the sector plate. I'm still looking into who owns the building and for what purpose but the buildings has some great exterior details that would be great to model. Have a look:

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qz7hz87ptqkw&lvl=19.603967006272757&dir=358.7030524873734&sty=b&eo=1&where1=W%20Cermak%20Rd%2C%20Chicago%2C%20IL%2060608&form=LMLTCC

You'll need to click birds eye view on the map toolbar.
Dave

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - faraway - 11-08-2011

dave_long Wrote:Found the perfect building...
You might also think about the low profile string of buildings behind the big brown one (S. Blue Island Av). They are great models too and have a lot in common with south central LA. The very different kind of buildings will be much more interesting than the big brownie.

Re: Modern Urban Chicago - dave_long - 11-08-2011

There's no shortage of inspiration along that row of buildings good spot. My only concern would be they all front up to the road I might not be able to replicate that but I do have a space that needs filling with something like that. I just liked that exterior venting on the big brown building.

Rgds
Dave