HO Freelance Shelf / Switching Layout

[shortliner]

That's an interesting layout, Jack -- I'd like to hear more about the backdrop technique, but if it's still extant, I'd also like to see an operation sequence.

JWB/ Getloose - It is in the RMweb archives here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=47626">http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=47626</a><!-- m -->
I'm afraid it no longer exists - the subject of my serial layout building, so it got scrapped - If you can't get in I'll try and do a download.
The basic method of doing the backdrop was to spray the sky colour on, and then make a stencil, from paper and spray the farthest away buildings in gray, remove the stemcil and spray the area with a VERY light coat of white primer from further away than normal, Put the stencil back, add any further building cutouts, and spray with gray, remove the stencil, and again spray the whole area with a VERY fine dusting of white primer. Repeat the process for as many layers of buildings as you need - in the case of this one it was three layers - Each dusting of white primer fades the buildins and the further away ones become increasingly indistinct and fade into the "Fog". The idea is based on the backgrounds made by Alistair Reynolds for his "Cogirep" layout which appeared in RMweb - To save you hunting <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="seehttp://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=10859">seehttp://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtop ... 35&t=10859</a><!-- m --> and <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/32744-sncf-freight/page-3">http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index. ... ght/page-3</a><!-- m --> second post down

[Puddlejumper]

I like the layout design and it sounds like you have nice concept forming. As for the switchback, let me interject that while a switchback is not optimal, it is not at all unprototypical. (Is that a word?). For quite some time I was under the impression that switchbacks were completely unrealistc, due to so many "expert" modelers saying that the real railroads "would never do that". To be true, they are inconvenient and avoided when possible. But in researching prototype track layouts and through some diligent use of google earth I have found that a switchback into an industry -while not common- is not as rare as I was lead to believe. For this reason I included one in the industrial area on my layout.

Look forward to watching your progress!

Dave

[sailormatlac]

I like the layout design and it sounds like you have nice concept forming. As for the switchback, let me interject that while a switchback is not optimal, it is not at all unprototypical. (Is that a word?). For quite some time I was under the impression that switchbacks were completely unrealistc, due to so many "expert" modelers saying that the real railroads "would never do that". To be true, they are inconvenient and avoided when possible. But in researching prototype track layouts and through some diligent use of google earth I have found that a switchback into an industry -while not common- is not as rare as I was lead to believe. For this reason I included one in the industrial area on my layout.

Look forward to watching your progress!

Dave

The problem with switchbacks on a layout is the lack of space. They quickly became very cramped. Most I've seen on real prototypes weren't huge, but still had enough place to work around cars without too much inconvenient (I'm well aware of places were it was not that simple!). They have to be properly designed in term of cars they can handle and how each industry interact with the other.

That said, we planned to scrap our last switchback on the club layout yesterday, however, a new one, working like an independant switching lead for a large cement plant will be built.

Matt

[getloose]

the switchback is causing quite a stir im seeing...lol

Anyways small update.

Foam Board Glued, and did a little more work in the rooftop of the cement plant.
Still undecided what ill do with the back drop, most likely just a simple repaint with a better shade of blue.

   
   

Some small blemishes and seams to adjust on the cement plant, but its coming along for sure.

[Puddlejumper]

The problem with switchbacks on a layout is the lack of space. They quickly became very cramped. Most I've seen on real prototypes weren't huge, but still had enough place to work around cars without too much inconvenient.

This is true, every switchback I have seen in real life has plenty of room to work. Like everything else on our layouts, selective compression is necessary and can indeed make life difficult!

Dave

[Ralph]

the switchback is causing quite a stir im seeing...lol

Anyways small update.

Foam Board Glued, and did a little more work in the rooftop of the cement plant.
Still undecided what ill do with the back drop, most likely just a simple repaint with a better shade of blue.

Some small blemishes and seams to adjust on the cement plant, but its coming along for sure.

Yep. Just a lighter shade of blue will make all of the difference. Great weathering on the cement plant details!

[FCIN]

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.

[getloose]

Ed, this is very interesting glad you shared this. I looked at the google maps and that place does look awesome, I have a few boxcars, perhaps I could use them in my plan the same way this plant does.

[FCIN]

Just using this plan as shown:     would duplicate the operations as Speed, IN, fairly well in the limited space. Allows for both the small cement hoppers and a couple of 50ft box cars to be loaded at the large shed in the rear. Engine pulls inbound empty cars off interchange track; then places empties and pulls loads for the interchange as required.

[Mike Kieran]

Hey Ed, he needed it for a 78 inch by 12 inch area. Here's the modification.

[sailormatlac]

Nice input Ed and Mike. Adding the bagging plant is a must. Do you think a scale to weight hoppers could be added? It could add a little operating fun that makes moving hoppers more than just pulling the cars indiscriminately.

Matt

[Brakie]

Nice input Ed and Mike. Adding the bagging plant is a must. Do you think a scale to weight hoppers could be added? It could add a little operating fun that makes moving hoppers more than just pulling the cars indiscriminately.

Matt

Matt,Weighing cars is usually done on a in motion scale track at the connecting railroad hump yard.I would try to add a inbound track for sand or gravel even if it means eliminating the engine storage track since it isn't really needed for a private industry locomotive.

[getloose]

These are all excellent ideas that defiantly add more operational value.

[FCIN]

getloose;

Although I can't pick it out in the Google aerial views, most likely any weigh scales would be located at the covered hopper loading point. They really wouldn't be needed for the box cars as the weight and number of bags loaded in the car would determine its shipping weight. Having the scale at the loading point, wouldn't do much for your operation, but you could place one at some other location just to add interest. Be interesting to have the typical two sets of rails going through the scales with switches at each end to keep through traffic off the scales. We had scales like that here in Frankfort.

[Brakie]

Another way to gain room for gravel or sand unloading is to remove that giant bagging plant and use a Walthers background building like this instead.This should open up room for another track.

I'm not advocating using lot of track on a small layout what I am advocating is to use the space wisely.