01-20-2013, 03:28 AM
Hi getloose!
Not sure how I missed this thread, and hope this posting isn't too late; but since it looks like you're modeling a large cement plant, thought you might be interested in looking at one located not far from where I live. Here's a Google aerial view of the plant and the rail spurs: http://maps.google.com/?ll=38.411592,-85...5&t=k&z=18
This is the ESSROC cement plant in Speed, IN http://www.essroc.com/ and is served by the Southern Indiana Railway (SIND) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70_3iUSIViY. The SIND is a remnant of the former Indiana Railroad interurban line, which explains why you see so many tight curves along their route and should not be confused with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR). They have a nice little engine house not too far south of the cement plant and I've visited this operation several times over the years to photograph their GE 65ton and newer re-engined ALCO locomotives. ESSROC also has a Rail King http://www.railking.net/ car mover that they use to move cars between SIND train movements.
Most of the outbound cement is interchanged with CSXT at Watson, IN, but some of the traffic is also interchanged to the Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC) at Speed. The LIRC main line is on the left side of the view. By rotating the Google view, you'll see one of the SIND locomotives setting over a cut of cars to the LIRC interchange track. You'll note that in addition to the numerous covered hoppers, they also ship out bagged cement in box cars.
There are some other large cement plants located in southern Indiana and here in Kentucky, but I think this one is the most interesting one for modeling inspiration. In all cases, the plants usually have their own plant switcher, which can be anything from a car mover such as a Rail King or TrackMobile to GE 45/50 tonners or larger power. Might give you some more ideas for your switching layout.
Not sure how I missed this thread, and hope this posting isn't too late; but since it looks like you're modeling a large cement plant, thought you might be interested in looking at one located not far from where I live. Here's a Google aerial view of the plant and the rail spurs: http://maps.google.com/?ll=38.411592,-85...5&t=k&z=18
This is the ESSROC cement plant in Speed, IN http://www.essroc.com/ and is served by the Southern Indiana Railway (SIND) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70_3iUSIViY. The SIND is a remnant of the former Indiana Railroad interurban line, which explains why you see so many tight curves along their route and should not be confused with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR). They have a nice little engine house not too far south of the cement plant and I've visited this operation several times over the years to photograph their GE 65ton and newer re-engined ALCO locomotives. ESSROC also has a Rail King http://www.railking.net/ car mover that they use to move cars between SIND train movements.
Most of the outbound cement is interchanged with CSXT at Watson, IN, but some of the traffic is also interchanged to the Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC) at Speed. The LIRC main line is on the left side of the view. By rotating the Google view, you'll see one of the SIND locomotives setting over a cut of cars to the LIRC interchange track. You'll note that in addition to the numerous covered hoppers, they also ship out bagged cement in box cars.
There are some other large cement plants located in southern Indiana and here in Kentucky, but I think this one is the most interesting one for modeling inspiration. In all cases, the plants usually have their own plant switcher, which can be anything from a car mover such as a Rail King or TrackMobile to GE 45/50 tonners or larger power. Might give you some more ideas for your switching layout.
Ed
"Friends don't let friends build Timesavers"
"Friends don't let friends build Timesavers"