Branch line/ISL

[Catt]

To quote Brakie "Playing the devil's advocate :o I will ask this: Why walbash the layout with more track when industrial scenery could be added like a trailer drop lot,non-rail served industries,streets etc?"

I will ask this what is so irelevent about streets,non rail served industries and trailer drops? Incase you hsve not noticed they are rather important parts of our industrialized world.

Don't know about Ohio but in West Michigan walbash and spaghetti have a lot in common. :mrgreen:

[Brakie]

Walbash is a old railroad term for shoving to many cars into a siding or yard track thus fouling the clearance points or the switch its self.

The items I point out is very relevant in planning sceniking and operation a ISL and is offered as suggestions..

Yes,they are different then most but,they are based on years of studying urban industrial leads and operation and as you may recall 90% of my layouts has been ISLs..I have attended several clinics on planning,operating and sceniking a industrial switching layout. Scenery such as trailer lots,non-rail served industries,streets has their part in bringing a ISL to life.

[Rscott417]

"I will ask this" taking a siding and moving it to a different area of the layout makes it "walbash"? If anything I suggested to eliminate a siding. I don't think streets are irrelevant, In fact it's currently the most important topic on my own layout. I put my ideas out there to hopefully help give the member another perspective (like other members do) just to get a response similar to, why would you ever think that's a good idea.

[Brakie]

"I will ask this" taking a siding and moving it to a different area of the layout makes it "walbash"? If anything I suggested to eliminate a siding. I don't think streets are irrelevant, In fact it's currently the most important topic on my own layout. I put my ideas out there to hopefully help give the member another perspective (like other members do) just to get a response similar to, why would you ever think that's a good idea.

One should consider the size of industry buildings before moving sidings. Even a Walthers background building requires space that would crowd the track closer together(another lesson learned the hard way) and IMHO one should avoid flat structure walls glued to the backdrop since there isn't any depth..This is why I decided to use Walthers background buildings and as a added bonus I can add some roof details to a rather boring looking flat roof..

Some lessons I learned.

Over the years I been building and studying ISLs I found less track is better then to much.Unlike normal layout scenery there's guide lines to follow including security,OSHA,EPA(containment walls around tanks) and fire codes that covers the location and number of hydrants. Extreme? Perhaps but,such attention to detail will focus the viewer's eyes on the layout's details not the size of the layout since ISL doesn't have loads of tracks,beautiful scenery and trains running loops like normal layouts..I've been told several times over the years that switching layouts are boring or to much like a puzzle and therefore unrealistic.

Of course one is always free to build the layout the way that serves his needs.

[faraway]

At 7/20 NSHO had the very good plan to give it a try as is and "play" with it for some weeks. I think that is still a very good plan.
I am sure he will get some great ideas about industry buildings placement and he will get also some great ideas how to add more switching opportunities and he will see, lern and experience what can be realistic done with the given space.

[NSHO]

All, I have been struggling with this layout for the past month or so. It appears I was trying to squeeze in more track and "authenticity" than I really wanted to work with. My biggest burden was the yard and rail traffic on and off the layout. I have stupefied it down somewhat. Here is my revised layout.

   
On my layout, incoming and outgoing trains are made up and broken down at a yard not far from this industrial lead. The operator, me, will build and remove trains as the switch list calls. Trains will be shoved in to the scene under an overpass or to be determined scene block. Switching occurs at the industries as called for and the train leaves the scene. Operations are done.

I think I've mentioned this in previous posts. I am not modeling a specific area, however when the time comes to build and construct the scenery, I'll reach out to Google/Bing maps and the many FINE modeling skills of our members here for inspiration.

This is a very straight forward switching layout. I'd kind of like to keep it that way. As always comments and constructive criticism is welcome.

[Catt]

I always try to follow the K.I.S.S. method my self.

[scubadude]

I say start laying track and get some cars on there then tweak it ... Get off the computer and on the bench

[Engfanuk]

I like the latest plan. In fact I might find myself looking at the left hand end of your plan when I'm reworking mine this weekend! Thanks.

[Twist]

Hi there,

so I´m not so deep into that ISL thing it´s always interesting to look at the layouts about them.
So for my opinion that last trackplan looks good and best way to test it out is to lay some track on your existing benchwork and play with it for some time.....I´ve done that on my layout and made some rebuilds on it....
Good idea with the staging crossing over your workbench area....

btw, is there any limit how large an ISL could be?
Is it an ISL if you have to yards,one on each end with some scenery and a lot of industries to switch between the yards?

Cheers,Chris

[NSHO]

Thanks guys for the replies. The track has been laid and operations commenced. So far so good. It can take from 20-40 minutes for 2 trains, AM and PM. I've started mocking up my manufacturing warehouse which I will post pictures of later.

[Mike Kieran]

I reiterate, once again, I am sooooo jealous because you are building my dream layout.

[Rscott417]

I agree with Mike, this is a great plan. I like your "Materials Transfer" siding. Very modern/present day facility and could definitely see this walthers kit to be used there. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-4037">http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-4037</a><!-- m -->
And now with the tsunami soundcar decoder I would use a shoving platform and add a horn/whistle and maybe lighting to it or if you're into something unusual something like this <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/4/4/6/4446.1404209456.jpg">http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/4 ... 209456.jpg</a><!-- m --> although I think it would be tough to hide a decoder and speaker on something like this, and technically it's remote control and not exactly a shoving platform but would give some interest on any layout.

[NSHO]

I reiterate, once again, I am sooooo jealous because you are building my dream layout.

Thank you Mike!!

I agree with Mike, this is a great plan. I like your "Materials Transfer" siding. Very modern/present day facility and could definitely see this walthers kit to be used there. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-4037">http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-4037</a><!-- m -->

Thank you and those loading racks will for sure go on a wish list!

And now with the tsunami soundcar decoder I would use a shoving platform and add a horn/whistle and maybe lighting to it or if you're into something unusual something like this <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/4/4/6/4446.1404209456.jpg">http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/4 ... 209456.jpg</a><!-- m --> although I think it would be tough to hide a decoder and speaker on something like this, and technically it's remote control and not exactly a shoving platform but would give some interest on any layout.

I love it! I've got a couple of cabeese that haven't seen much action. Gonna dust them off and put them in the lead. Just 'cause.

[lajry]

Since you don't have a siding in the switching area guess you'll always have to shove the cars there. All switches there are facing point except one trailing point. Those cars will have to be behind the loco.