Southern Pacific's Jefferson Branch

[ratled]

Arcatia Plywood.

I found a nice picture of the Arcata Mill that really could fit the bill to model my version off of.  The link stated there were two mills in the 60's.  I'm thinking they opened a 3rd in Jefferson
Arcatia Plywood mill referance




I went ahead and mocked up Jefferson as I was having troubles walking it through how it would flow. The issue stems from when I changed from A W&D to Arcata Plywood off a switch back from Vegely DeFind. It wasn't bad when it was a single track, 2 car industry but now it's a 2 track industry that may handle as many as 5-7 cars on the same switch back.

I'm not a big fan of switch backs but I wound up down that path anyway. I want to be sure not to foul Vegely DeFind when working Arcata Plywood. Although there is a run around in Jefferson it doesn't allow for an easy set up to be able to push cars into Arcata Plywood. I spent the day roughing out different scenarios trying to eliminate the use of the switch back, maybe using a crossing tracks etc. The solution I'm leaning towards is to be sure the there is enough track to use next to Vegely DeFind and adding the Jefferson team track.

The new team track is on the far side of the main from the run around. The bonus going this route is it makes great place to set out the off spots.







I gave it a second look at it again and took pictures this time.  I also marked out how it was in case I wanted to go back.



The two issues for me were that the train would have to blocked properly before leaving the yard or the road crew would be in trouble.  With the 3 facing points and one trailing point you have to have Arcata Plywood in the back and use the caboose has a handle to switch.  Then anything for Seiad Cement in the far back corner and it goes on from there as there is no way to run around if you clear the main as you pull into town and still be able to break the train into manageable industry bites.  .  The other is more me but you have to back too close back to the yard.







I did leave it as is with the 19' crossing in place for now and will give it several more looks over the next 24 hours.  I always like using 2" foam as a base to be able to do things like this with just a few pieces of track and some push pins