CSX Palmetto Spur

[alcanman]

Hi,

I recently came across a few pics of my first US layout built over 10 years ago and thought it would be interesting to compare and contrast with Palmetto.

Firstly, here's the track plan, same size as Palmetto, 9ft x 15ins. A typical 'timesaver' arrangement with 2 hidden storage tracks.

   

Next, a train emerging from hidden storage headed by a CB&Q GP20, a brand new Lifelike Proto 2000 model.

   

Next, the other end of the layout with a BN GP35, a Kato model bought secondhand.

   

Last, a GN GP7, an old Atlas(Kato) model dating back to 1989, also secondhand

   

This layout worked well enough, with Peco Code 100 track and small radius electrofog turnouts but switching was far too complicated.

Now I am defineatly of the opinion that 'less is more'

regards,
Mal

[Southern Tuxedo]

Mal,

Who makes or made the water tower in the first picture?

Mark

[Paulman]

Curiously, the local distributor in Orlando does not use 60' beer cars, but 50' cars—Railboxes and many fallen flag cars from EEC and HS, and the occasional FXE box bringing in the Corona.

Since this is a distributor, I would suspect that the the kegs setting on the loading dock are most likely empty kegs as opposed to full beer kegs. It seems more logical that filled kegs are trucked in and the empties go out by rail back to the bottler. Also, the average weight of a half barrel/full keg is between 140-170 lbs. Having full half barrels stacked 8 high, on their sides, on wood seems extremely dangerous if the pallets should split. I have seen empties like this at the large Miller distributor across the street from where I work. This distributor also receives several 40'-50' shipping containers on truck trailer most likely with import beers or wine.

Larry

Larry:

If you look closely, the smaller kegs are wrapped in plastic. That may suggest an inbound rather than outbound cargo. The docks here are concrete, so weight may not be as great an issue as it would be for a wooden dock.

[fast car]

Paulman,

Actually wrapping in plastic sheet is typical for palletized loads. The shrink wrap maintains the intregity of the items loaded on the pallet. Without the wrapping of the smaller tanks, the likely hood that they would fall over especially being stacked upright is greatly increased. We currently employ this method of wrapping for all pallets leaving our facility. We presently use machines that are similar to record player turntables. A full pallet is set on the turntable and is rotated, while a spindle next to the turntable that has 24-30" roll of shrinkwrap, moves up and down the spindle wrapping the pallet from the bottom up.

Larry

[Paulman]

Good to know!

[alcanman]

Mal,

Who makes or made the water tower in the first picture?

Mark

Hi Mark,

The water tower is a Korber kit. Not sure if they are still available.


regards,

Mal

[Southern Tuxedo]

Thanks Mal.

I'm going to have to look into it as i might have a location for a water tower.

Mark

[alcanman]

This looks like a nice little industry idea. Does anyone know of HO palletised beer kegs and gas bottles etc suitable for the modern era?

Hi Phil,

I've found some OO scale palletised kegs at Harburn Hobbies, Edinburgh,Scotland <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.harburnhobbies.co.uk/acatalog/Freight___Lineside.html">http://www.harburnhobbies.co.uk/acatalo ... eside.html</a><!-- m -->

I'm going to Edinburgh this weekend and hope to fit in a visit to their shop.


regards,

Mal

[alcanman]

Hi,

With a warehouse and beer distributor requiring regular deliveries, I'm looking for some modern boxcars to supply these industries.

I like this Athearn Railbox 50' FMC 5347 car, so I'm looking for more Athearn cars with a similar level of detaill, having got rid of my
old 'blue box' cars.

   

However, looking at Athearn's website at the many different RTR 50' boxcars they've produced over the last 10 years, I'm a bit confused.
Some appear to use the old 'blue box moulding, some MDC moulding and some more detailed with seperately applied grabirons etc.
These latter models are what I'm looking for. Can anyone suggest or recommend which cars I should look for?


Thanks,

Mal

[Tyson Rayles]

Looks like your older layout was a winner, very nicely done!

[Russ Bellinis]

I think you need to look for references on the web site to "new tooling." Unfortunately, that reference may not be there in many cases. I think the biggest "give away" that a model is old tooling is the "claws" that Athearn used for opening doors. However be aware that many of the "modern" boxcars in the blue box kit line as well as the modern boxcars made by MDC did not have opening doors, but still had the cast on grabs.

[alcanman]

Thanks Russ,

Obviously, I'll need to look carefully before I buy. Sometimes it's difficult to tell from the pics. I'd forgotten about the Athearn cars
with opening doors, I used to have some 40' boxcars.


regards,

Mal

[Paulman]

This one has wire grabs, etc. You'll have to patch it for HS, though. Would be a fun project.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.bev-bel.com/railroad/athearn-ho-scale-train-91415.aspx">http://www.bev-bel.com/railroad/athearn ... 91415.aspx</a><!-- m -->

Here's a photo of model overlaid on the prototype:

[alcanman]

Hi,

With the Holiday season approaching I thought I would send a greetings card.

   

I'd also like to thank those who have given me encouragement and help. Thanks to Ed (FCIN) for a few tips on operating the layout.

I think Ed will approve of this L&N boxcar which will soon be seen on Palmetto.

   


Happy Holidays,

Mal

[alcanman]

Hi,

For the second year running Santa Claus did not deliver an Atlas Gold Series CSX Dash 8-40B :x

However, every cloud has a silver lining and instead of a loco I received a Noch Grassmaster static grass applicator. I'd always put off buying one because they are so expensive.

I know some people make their own with a fly swatter or tea strainer(in the UK) but with my electricals skills I'd probably end up electrocuting myself

Also, I thought I couldn't justify one as my small layouts don't have much grass anyway but really I'd have to look at the purchase as an investment.

And what a good investment it has turned out. I'm really pleased with the results so far. Here are some pics.

   

   

   

regards,

Mal