Westbrook
#1
Hi. A New Year often means a new layout for me for 2014 I've decided to definately build a New England layout.

My last layout CSX Transflo,NY was a bit of a compromise. It started off as a UK themed layout and then,unable to resist the lure of US model railroading, I 'converted' the layout locating it in upstate New York.

As I mentioned in my last thread, I'd vacationed in New England in 1993 and 1994 and had always wanted to build a layout based there.

Using my usual footprint of 9ft x 15ins, I decided on another simple plan. Just 2 industries. I wanted a warehouse that could take 3 boxcars ( paper products) and a grain (feed) unloading facility.

I included a siding (run-around) as I prefer to watch the loco leading and this arrangement allows incoming cars to be left on the siding while the industry spurs are switched out.

Of course, the layout can be operated 'Inglenook' style with the loco shoving cars. Here's the plan

The inspiration for the location of the layout came from watching videos of small branch operations in New England. A small branch runs fron Portland ME to a paper mill at Westbrook ME.
The traffic nowadays appears to be only Kaolin (clay)

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0MJh2STotc&index=3&list=FLBRJkqxcAgVProgmb0YmaJQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0MJh2S ... ogmb0YmaJQ</a><!-- m -->


Mal


Attached Files Image(s)
   
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#2
I'm a big fan of your work, Mal, and am especially looking forward to watching this one develop.

I particularly admire the way your work wonders with Peco Universal track, which seems to work flawlessly and looks far finer than I know it is.

Looking forward also to the first screening of your video when you get round to it.

Good luck!

Jonte
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#3
Thank Jonte.

I do admire that you are able to build your own track. I use Peco Code 100 for it's reliability and robustness, I've even re-cycled a few turnouts.

After painting and ballasting the track can be made to look quite good.

Before painting and ballasting -

   

and, after -

   

Mal
Layout videos - <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Alcanman1">http://www.youtube.com/user/Alcanman1</a><!-- m -->

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#4
Mal,Your track plan is simple,straight forward and very workable.. Thumbsup Gotta love that in a ISL design..

Excellent job on that industrial building.. Cheers
Larry
Engineman

Summerset Ry

Make Safety your first thought, Not your last!  Safety First!
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#5
Thanks Larry.

I try to re-cycle from previous layouts as much as possible and the warehouse was constructed by joining together 2 small warehouses and using styrene strip to hide the joints.

The other main structure on the layout is the grain (feed) unloading facility. When Walthers announced a new Cornerstone kit 'Rail to Road Aggregate Transfer' I thought it would be perfect,

so I placed an advance reservation and luckily the kit has now arrived.

   

Mal
Layout videos - <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Alcanman1">http://www.youtube.com/user/Alcanman1</a><!-- m -->

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#6
Mal,Those silos could replace my transload track..I Need to think that over..
Larry
Engineman

Summerset Ry

Make Safety your first thought, Not your last!  Safety First!
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#7
alcanman Wrote:"After painting and ballasting the track can be made to look quite good."

'CAN' being the operative word Icon_lol

As long as you know what you're doing. Although this aspect of layout building is well versed in the modelling press and on helpful fora such as this, I've yet to reach this stage of layout building so have no idea how it's going to turn out. I reckon you chaps make it look easier than it actually is.

As for the home made track............I just got lucky. Let's just hope the solder holds up: at least until I get it wired up Wink

Regards,

Jonte
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#8
As long as you know what you're doing. Although this aspect of layout building is well versed in the modelling press and on helpful fora such as this, I've yet to reach this stage of layout building so have no idea how it's going to turn out. I reckon you chaps make it look easier than it actually is.
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Not really..We ah,mm,ah,let's just say we don't show the oops! this 35 or even this Wallbang ..

Slate Creek took around 28 months to settle on a plan first N Scale then later HO and then some fine turning and longer still to build.

Its only 1' x 10 ' ISL but,I wanted it right since I don't intend on building another..
Larry
Engineman

Summerset Ry

Make Safety your first thought, Not your last!  Safety First!
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#9
'CAN' being the operative word Icon_lol

As long as you know what you're doing. Although this aspect of layout building is well versed in the modelling press and on helpful fora such as this, I've yet to reach this stage of layout building so have no idea how it's going to turn out. I reckon you chaps make it look easier than it actually is.

Definatlely not easy, especially when planning a small layout. For this layout I had decided I didn't want to cram in lots of 1 spot industries. The warehouse can take 3 x 50ft cars which can adds a little more switching complexity.

Also, for some time I'd wanted to include a covered hopper unloading facility. Although Walthers offer quite a few Cornerstone kits for hopper loading the new kit is the first for unloading/transloading.

I've started to build the kit and it fits nicely in place. Also, I've added some ground cover and greenery.

   

Mal
Layout videos - <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Alcanman1">http://www.youtube.com/user/Alcanman1</a><!-- m -->

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#10
alcanman Wrote:Definitely not easy, especially when planning a small layout. For this layout I had decided I didn't want to cram in lots of 1 spot industries. The warehouse can take 3 x 50ft cars which can adds a little more switching complexity.

Mal

Mal,Those are words of wisdom for all that planning on building a small ISL.. Thumbsup

Planning a small ISL does indeed take time and less is best usually is the best path to take when planning a small ISL instead of having a "cram a track everywhere" marathon..

I now fully believe larger industries with several spots is the better approach for interesting operation.

And if you don't mind here is the Slate Creek that almost became a reality and I think I reversed one of your plans. :o

[Image: HO7Plan2.jpg]
Larry
Engineman

Summerset Ry

Make Safety your first thought, Not your last!  Safety First!
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#11
Good old Walthers.. Wink Big Grin That Rail to Road Aggregate Transfer Kit.......uses parts, That, were used in the Medusa Cement Company kit, that I haven't had a use for since I got the kit !
( several years Wink ago. Big Grin )
In my case it would, probably, be more of a Ship to Rail transfer. Icon_twisted 357 357
We always learn far more from our own mistakes, than we will ever learn from another's advice.
The greatest place to live life, is on the sharp leading edge of a learning curve.
Lead me not into temptation.....I can find it myself!
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#12
Ever notice how the price doubles on Walther kit parts when they create a new kit from parts of old kits.
Johnathan (Catt) Edwards
"The Ol Furrball"

"I'm old school,I still believe in respect"
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#13
What makes the layout New England, though?
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#14
jwb Wrote:What makes the layout New England, though?

Mal will need to answer that question..

But,here's food for thought..

A ISL only covers a industrial area not the whole state or city and as you know New England is made up of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut so, Westbrook could be in any of those States..
Larry
Engineman

Summerset Ry

Make Safety your first thought, Not your last!  Safety First!
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#15
Brakie Wrote:A ISL only covers a industrial area not the whole state or city and as you know New England is made up of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut so, Westbrook could be in any of those States..
I thought it was New York, New Hampshire and New Jersey -- I know it's not New Mexico.
David
Moderato ma non troppo
Perth & Exeter Railway Company
Esquesing & Chinguacousy Radial Railway
In model railroading, there are between six and two hundred ways of performing a given task.
Most modellers can get two of them to work.
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