Fiddling with layout ideas

[sailormatlac]

I love the CPR Bruce branches. I actually grew up in Orangeville, which was a division point and "gateway" to the Bruce. Every so often, I debate switching from CNR to CPR...!

The CPR used 4-6-0s extensively on their branches, and right to the end of steam, so you can do any time from 1900 to 1950+ with them.

Trevor's site also has an "achievable layouts" sections with ideas for the Elora branch from Cataract to Elora. Lots of good information in a short page.

If you pursue this idea, let me know. I have several references that you might find handy.

Andrew

Bruce branches are really interesting prototype. Truly a paradise for model railroaders.

Ah! I have the same problem, I'm basically a CNR guy at heart, but for some reason, I always find CPR branchlines more inspirational for branchline layouts.

I agree, a CPR 4-6-0 is a must see. I have actually a 4-4-0 and a 2-8-0 undergoing surgery since 2011... I should complete them. Not perfect, but that could fill up the roster for a while. I was a little bit harsh with Rapido's announcement for steam locomotives, but I think including the 4-6-0 (both CN and CP) among the first released was their best idea. They are the best locos for mixed freight.

I have not set the layout in a specific time. Such remote rural places hardly changed from during the first half of the 20th. Basically, you change the road vehicles and rolling stock and that an entirely different era. You can even run small diesel road switchers well into the early 1960s. Most of these branches definitely died out in the mid 60s. In fact, if I go back in the pre-1920 era, I could prototypically operate the daily MEC train.

Anyway, I took into account everybody's opinion and tried to make something out of these ideas. The end results is not far from a merge between both Hereford and Temiscouata, but in fact, it is pure coincidence. I totally reengineered the layout taking in account three main aspects:

-Scene composition: three areas of similar importance, from left to right: low, medium and high density. It helps define the layout as a place where you travel to reach a destination. Also, all structures or group of features are by group of three. In the medium density area you find a meadow with 3 small railway structures (tank car, speeder shed and tool shed). In the high density you find a station, a freight shed and a feedmill/warehouse. For visual (and practical) interest, the mainline must travel between them. I love when I can see a train run behind a structure and wanted it on the layout.

-Operation: Trevor Marshall (once again!) was of a big indirect help. I tried to understand how trains were handled at Port Rowan and finally got a grasp of what was branchline railroading. Further reading of many stories in old Canadian Rail magazine and Old Time Trains on the web provided other pertinent example. In fact, many terminals - which I thought the track plan didn't make sense - finally became clear as water to me. Knowing that, I was able to determine the exact lenght in inches each move required by taking in account car and locomotive dimensions. At some point, my layout plan was nothing more than a series of scale diagrams depicting turnout zones and cars. I found out very little track lenght is needed to handle a small mixed train (a loco + 2 freight cars + 1 combine + 1 coach). A very good thing! This exercise also provided me with a crucial information: the exact location of the station. It was determined by the place where the passenger cars must align when the train reach the end of steel. Once I knew that, two parameters were set in stone: not only the station location, but also the exact place where the transition between medium and high density should be set.

-Industries: The third aspect was not as easy to understand. I stayed up to 2 A.M. for two days, trying to fight that "I want it all" mentality. To get it right, I tried to understand what a small community like East Hereford would need from a railroad back in the steam era. You can sum it up as the Holy Trinity as Jim Dufour likened it: wood products, farm products and fuel. Passengers are also a part of it, but that's a given. Add to this the railway requirements about turning and fueling the engine and you get a general picture. In this regard, Tyson Rayles' excellent observation was useful about the turning facilities. I don't need any. Doing it in staging makes more sense. Anyway, I did many measurement of my available space and for MANY reasons I can't build the extension. Worst, I'm quite a short guy and I can't reach the yard throat without a stool! No way I'm going to operate a layout I can't uncouple cars without some apparatus. I did that with the club layout back in the days and I got rid of all that during the rebuild... Lesson learned. Anyway, all that to say only a water tank will be required.The train isn't sleeping at Hereford, it's just making a round trip.



Here's the results. The topography will be more dramatic than a sheet of styrofoam and I used the topographic map from 1921 to understand well the area in which the "real" Hall's Stream station (East Hereford) was located. The meadow will be about 5 to 7 feet lower than the track roadbed per prototype. I'll also model the right of way correctly with the fences and the wild raspberry growing within the property according to old accounts. I walked the remains of Hereford Railway last summer and was able to eat lots of them. That branchline didn't get it's nickname for nothing! They exported it by carload to New England cities back in the days and the daily train would make dedicated stop along the track to pick up the berries from local people.



Matt