jwb Wrote:I hate to ask this, Reinhard, but can we see the north side?

Sure, same logic. Photo taken from the center (behind the iMac)
From Center to west (window)


From center to east (door)


The four track hidden staging yard has been some kind of a harbor two years ago. It did not work out because the automatic uncouplers did not work as reliable as needed and leaning over the tables to uncouple is not what my back likes. I did make minor modification to the east end to get four run through tracks and left the ground cover unchanged. The tracks run mostly in plaster. Changing that would create a mess but give no advantage for a hidden yard. the small strip at the wall is used as a temporary for some older unused buildings.

And for completeness the east and west sides

The west side (window) looking from the ISL (south) towards the staging yard (north)


The west side (door) looking from the ISL (south) towards the staging yard (north)


At the east end of the staging yard is a sail ship model. My father made it for me when I was a little boy as a nice toy. His not so intelligent son used a felt pen and added black cannon spots....


He did his master piece when he retired. This model is done from scratch following the original plans of the prototype. It is under glass in the living room. He was a much better handcraft man than me. He loved precision and had a all the necessary patience to do it really right.

WOW the harbor/wharf scene is gone !!!??!! Normally I would have been besides myself in hearing something like that but having seen what you do on the other parts of the layout I can wait to see what come of it. For those that haven't seen that well done scene here it is for the 2011 freelance thread. <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=4138&hilit=freelance+2011&start=105">viewtopic.php?f=46&t=4138&hilit=freelance+2011&start=105</a><!-- l -->

Steve

ratled Wrote:WOW the harbor/wharf scene is gone !!!??!! Normally I would have been besides myself in hearing something like that but having seen what you do on the other parts of the layout I can wait to see what come of it. For those that haven't seen that well done scene here it is for the 2011 freelance thread. <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=4138&hilit=freelance+2011&start=105">viewtopic.php?f=46&t=4138&hilit=freelance+2011&start=105</a><!-- l -->

Steve

This is how it looked when it was a harbor yard



It was nice but I could not handle it because it is behind working desks and computer displays. Really very bad for my back

Reinhard, do you have a typical operating sequence that you could walk us through?

jwb Wrote:Reinhard, do you have a typical operating sequence that you could walk us through?

John, it is a very simple setup.

a. A "train" of up to four cars arrives at the small south side yard.
b. The engine does s run around if it arrived from the wet side
c. Ready cars are collected from the industries
d. New cars are distributed to the industries
e. Some collected cars may be temporary stored in the two stub tracks to be picked up later
f. The train proceeds in it's original direction to serve other industries.

The "fun" is that I try to run as best as I can according to the rules (GCOR). It takes at least 45 minutes to handle one train.

That's very interesting. One thing I've noticed about the north side of your layout is that you do have some opportunity for additional scenery -- I dnn't think you have any overpasses anywhere. Look at this situation at Kaiser Yard on the BNSF, I think the overpass here is Cherry Ave.
[attachment=13300]
You have a chance for an engine terminal, with all that added interest but no need for uncoupling. The overpass could happen right as the tracks duck behind your computer. Also, notice there is dirt or pavement covering the ties in this area, too.

John, the north side has no scenery at all. What you see on the photos is only the damaged old ground cover built for the harbor scenery some years ago. The buildings at the wall are stored only. Some are placed upside down or stacked on on top of the others. I am always short on storage space...
I did often look for a possible overpass at the south side but could never find a location that fits really. It should not block my view in a sitting position, not interfere with a location I use for coupling and uncoupling and not interfere with other scenery. I had an overpass in the past. It was on the hatch at the east end but has been replaced with my favorites LA building more than three year ago. That remote location did not interfere with any operation.

Reinhard,

You haven't posted in several weeks, are we in for an entirely new layout

Bruce

bdw9535 Wrote:Reinhard,

You haven't posted in several weeks, are we in for an entirely new layout

Bruce

No, I am doing a lot of operation with various setups (BN, UP, SantaFe, BRC, Conrail .... In Chicago, Kansas City, LA.....) and think about a small change. Morton Salt Chcago would fit fine at the center background industry.
But you are right, a total rebuild 2013 is also an option in my mind.....

Model Railroader March 2013 arrived some days ago. Page 42 is brutal challenge to my current " all brick building phase" :o

Uh Oh Reinhard, here we go again :-)

Looking forward what you will come up with, you know that resistance will probably be futile.... :-)

Koos

faraway Wrote:No, I am doing a lot of operation with various setups (BN, UP, SantaFe, BRC, Conrail .... In Chicago, Kansas City, LA.....) and think about a small change. Morton Salt Chcago would fit fine at the center background industry.
But you are right, a total rebuild 2013 is also an option in my mind.....

Model Railroader March 2013 arrived some days ago. Page 42 is brutal challenge to my current " all brick building phase" :o

Sounds like you've been Mindheim steamrollered.

My freelance salt packing plant inspired by Morton salt in Chicago started today.
The prototype is at 1357 North Elston Avenue Chicago, IL 60642, United States
I exchange the north and south end (brick office building right end, salt storage left hand) and do not implement the curve of the loading ramp and track and have only a single track.
https://maps.google.de/maps?q=morton+sal...eg=90&z=19

First test with raw structures on the layout.
I have to think how to do the huge silo. It will cost a fortune if I use a stack of evergreen sheets only....

ps. I had luck to find some elements from kits that could be used to form the row of 18 windows

Characterful structure Reinhard, looks to be an interesting build.

Cheers,

Kev

Great start to a very significant buildings complex. Good idea, good realization!