TPBO

[FCIN]

Ed, I would leave the team track with its own track, but then switch the places of the team track with the Coke-Plant, It would really help the layout feel more open.

Good points Justin. Looking things over, putting the team track back adds more variety, since the buildings products outfit can unload there along with an almost endless variety of other off-line customers. I'd also thought about swapping the locations of the team track and the coke spur as it may well fit and look better. Will play around with that some.

You have got me thinking about an industrial park theme for my layout, yesterday I layout down some track in a formation similar to yours and not only did the layout look bigger, but It also operates alot better than the modified version of Jack Hill's plan that I was using earlier.

Other than a couple of short lines that I'd considered modeling (Kendallville Terminal and Lapeer Industrial Railroad) that are actually short industrial spurs, I'd never really thought about basing a layout theme on strictly a industrial spur, until I saw what Lance Mindheim and some of the folks on here have been doing.

It's surprising in some ways just how interesting ISL's can be and how much operation they can provide. I mentioned it in an earlier post, but even a very small ISL like the plan Lance uses to demonstrate his building methods in his newest book, could keep a fellow busy for quite a while!

Industrial spurs can be found every where across the country and in so many different configurations, yet they all share one common feature - simple track arrangements. You can go for the densely packed look, like you find in large urban areas or the more open look like you find in the less densely populated areas.

When you get right down to it - it's not really the track plan as much as it is picking a few interesting industries and just finding the right spot for them on the layout. And as Larry mentions there are so many ideas/features that can be incorporated to add interest.

I always thought your first plan based on Lance's East Rail was a dandy! Will be looking forward to seeing your ideas, as I try and refine mine!