10-27-2014, 11:52 AM
Hi,
This is my first contribution to the Big Blue Train forum.
I normally model Belgian prototype however, a couple of months back, I started this minimal space layout as a side project to be able to run my 2 Santa Fe zebra stripe locomotives (my all time favorite US livery) in a suitable environment. Inspiration came from a series of articles on PFE operations published many years ago in Railroad Model Craftsman and from this interesting website on fruit packing sheds in California <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.coastdaylight.com">http://www.coastdaylight.com</a><!-- m -->. The overall size of the module is 50” x 20”. A detachable fiddle yard with 5 track traverser (22” x 20”) is still to be built.
The main theme is fruit traffic in Central California in the early 60ies. The ice house with platform following a (standard?) PFE design forms the center piece. I used MDF covered with filler for the concrete walls; the platform is made of balsa.
![[Image: IceHouse20_zpsd0efc242.jpg]](http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w520/Choemie/IceHouse20_zpsd0efc242.jpg)
No ice house without a fruit packing shed. This one, still work in process, is a highly compressed version of Youngstown Grape Distributor in Reedley, CA (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://coastdaylight.com/esl/vid/cncph_vid_reedly.html">http://coastdaylight.com/esl/vid/cncph_vid_reedly.html</a><!-- m -->). The building hides the transition between layout and fiddle yard and features a covered loading platform, which provides for some interesting openness on the front side. I may leave part of the roof carpentry visible.
![[Image: Youngstown5_zpsd54f8ad3.jpg]](http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w520/Choemie/Youngstown5_zpsd54f8ad3.jpg)
Wileman Bros. & Elliott is a backdrop building, non railway served and based on the former fruit packing plant in Cutler, CA (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://coastdaylight.com/esl/vid/cncph_vid_cutler.html">http://coastdaylight.com/esl/vid/cncph_vid_cutler.html</a><!-- m -->). This concrete and brick construction was converted into a grain storage facility in later years, hence the addition of the bucket elevator. I re-positioned the elevator due to a lack of space in front of the building but also to cover the vertical seam between building and backdrop. The small tank on the left side of the building (thought to be holding fuel for grain drying) serves the same purpose.
![[Image: Wileman5_zps2d1753c3.jpg]](http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w520/Choemie/Wileman5_zps2d1753c3.jpg)
Finally, the fuel and sand facility is the excuse for a guest locomotive to make an appearance (an F-unit with cat whiskers is on my wish list). This is more or less a copy of the one Bob Smaus built for his layout. I added an impression of a fuel pump and filter next to the small shed.
![[Image: Fuel7_zpsa06ab32f.jpg]](http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w520/Choemie/Fuel7_zpsa06ab32f.jpg)
Operations are obviously rather limited and include pre-icing a couple of reefers, loading them at the fruit packing house and then returning them to the ice platform for additional icing. Furthermore the packing house occasionally receives a box car with new fruit crates and the tank car at the fuel facility needs to be switched from time to time. All in all, around 25 movements.
Finally, here is a view of the total layout (a roof will be needed to avoid the shadows on the backdrop).
![[Image: Overview1_zps3eda3027.jpg]](http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w520/Choemie/Overview1_zps3eda3027.jpg)
Looking forward to the comments of the forum experts.
Gino
This is my first contribution to the Big Blue Train forum.
I normally model Belgian prototype however, a couple of months back, I started this minimal space layout as a side project to be able to run my 2 Santa Fe zebra stripe locomotives (my all time favorite US livery) in a suitable environment. Inspiration came from a series of articles on PFE operations published many years ago in Railroad Model Craftsman and from this interesting website on fruit packing sheds in California <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.coastdaylight.com">http://www.coastdaylight.com</a><!-- m -->. The overall size of the module is 50” x 20”. A detachable fiddle yard with 5 track traverser (22” x 20”) is still to be built.
The main theme is fruit traffic in Central California in the early 60ies. The ice house with platform following a (standard?) PFE design forms the center piece. I used MDF covered with filler for the concrete walls; the platform is made of balsa.
No ice house without a fruit packing shed. This one, still work in process, is a highly compressed version of Youngstown Grape Distributor in Reedley, CA (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://coastdaylight.com/esl/vid/cncph_vid_reedly.html">http://coastdaylight.com/esl/vid/cncph_vid_reedly.html</a><!-- m -->). The building hides the transition between layout and fiddle yard and features a covered loading platform, which provides for some interesting openness on the front side. I may leave part of the roof carpentry visible.
Wileman Bros. & Elliott is a backdrop building, non railway served and based on the former fruit packing plant in Cutler, CA (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://coastdaylight.com/esl/vid/cncph_vid_cutler.html">http://coastdaylight.com/esl/vid/cncph_vid_cutler.html</a><!-- m -->). This concrete and brick construction was converted into a grain storage facility in later years, hence the addition of the bucket elevator. I re-positioned the elevator due to a lack of space in front of the building but also to cover the vertical seam between building and backdrop. The small tank on the left side of the building (thought to be holding fuel for grain drying) serves the same purpose.
Finally, the fuel and sand facility is the excuse for a guest locomotive to make an appearance (an F-unit with cat whiskers is on my wish list). This is more or less a copy of the one Bob Smaus built for his layout. I added an impression of a fuel pump and filter next to the small shed.
Operations are obviously rather limited and include pre-icing a couple of reefers, loading them at the fruit packing house and then returning them to the ice platform for additional icing. Furthermore the packing house occasionally receives a box car with new fruit crates and the tank car at the fuel facility needs to be switched from time to time. All in all, around 25 movements.
Finally, here is a view of the total layout (a roof will be needed to avoid the shadows on the backdrop).
Looking forward to the comments of the forum experts.
Gino