01-15-2011, 11:15 AM
Reinhard, both the LAJ and the PHL are industrial railroads in industrial areas. Where the PHL runs in the LA and Long Beach Harbors, the property is so expensive that a lot to build a shack on would probably cost over $1 million, but you could not buy property in that area so small because of the demand for industrial uses. In fact most industries not connected to the shipping industry in some way have been moved back at least a mile or two from the waterfront to allow more room for companies that need to have a dock to service ships, boats or barges. The exception is that there will be lots across the street from shipping terminals that have either "blue collar" cafes, or will have businesses that service the shipping industries.
The cities of Vernon and Commerce are both industrial cities. Vernon has a population of less than 100. The City of Commerce has a total population of 3,377 and 1,800 businesses according to their official web site. Here in the U.S. areas of cities are "zoned" (set aside) for business. The zoning may be for commercial or industrial uses. Residential zones are separate. Often times commercial zones may be on major streets with residential zones on side streets behind the commercial properties. This allows for people to live a short distance from the stores that they would patronize. Industrial zones allow for heavy industry, but may also have some commercial businesses. Most of the commercial businesses will consist of "blue collar" cafes or restaurants where workers can buy lunch, or businesses that cater to the industries in the area such as industrial hardware, wholesale electrical suppliers, etc. People don't want to live next to heavy industry, because of the noise of the heavy machinery, diesel truck traffic, and trains.
The point of this "ramble" is that the area you are modeling will have a lot of unmarked grade crossings that will be flagged by train crews. Most of those crossings will be worked at night. Most of those areas are virtually deserted after 6:00p.m. with the small businesses closed, and the only people in the area will be either industry workers on the night shift, or homeless transients. It also means that the area you are modeling can be accurate without any houses on the layout anywhere.
The cities of Vernon and Commerce are both industrial cities. Vernon has a population of less than 100. The City of Commerce has a total population of 3,377 and 1,800 businesses according to their official web site. Here in the U.S. areas of cities are "zoned" (set aside) for business. The zoning may be for commercial or industrial uses. Residential zones are separate. Often times commercial zones may be on major streets with residential zones on side streets behind the commercial properties. This allows for people to live a short distance from the stores that they would patronize. Industrial zones allow for heavy industry, but may also have some commercial businesses. Most of the commercial businesses will consist of "blue collar" cafes or restaurants where workers can buy lunch, or businesses that cater to the industries in the area such as industrial hardware, wholesale electrical suppliers, etc. People don't want to live next to heavy industry, because of the noise of the heavy machinery, diesel truck traffic, and trains.
The point of this "ramble" is that the area you are modeling will have a lot of unmarked grade crossings that will be flagged by train crews. Most of those crossings will be worked at night. Most of those areas are virtually deserted after 6:00p.m. with the small businesses closed, and the only people in the area will be either industry workers on the night shift, or homeless transients. It also means that the area you are modeling can be accurate without any houses on the layout anywhere.