Well progress on layout is kinda at stand still, waiting on my order of track at the shop. This weekend in going to order a pikeville kit and some detail items. In the mean time enjoy this photo of an SD35 I'm weathering.

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Nice weathering job..

Appreciate it brakie, ill post more as it comes along.

So after seeing your guys input and adjustment to my original plan, i've decided to go with what you guys have modified. I just re-did it to fit exactly how id like with Xtrk Cad, although its your modifications you've suggested. I like having a large Cement Load / Unload area especially because i enjoy seeing large modern industrial warehouse "type" buildings. So that's what you can expect to see there. As for the sand load or unload, not to sure what ill have going on there i have some idea's..im going to browse some protoype photos.

Photo has been flipped (finally lol) to how the layout will actually be viewed.

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If you're happy far be it from me to say anything so,I just ask a question.

How are you going to switch the sand unloading track or does the local arrive with the engine in the middle of the setouts? :?

Keep in mind that the Medusa Cement has 8 silos. You could load cement, sand, fly ash, and gravel all on the same siding. The silos could hold all of these products as well as others. You need a drill track that's at least 24 inches long, so I would use the track labeled sand load / unload as the drill track. I drew up another track plan. I put a parking Lot / loading dock area on the right side with an overpass hiding the end of the drill lead.



or we could simplify the track work.

I haven't drawn it up, but replacing the centre turnout with a double slip and continuing the track to the right, with a turnout in the top right track would give you a runround loop - you only need enough room for a loco at the end of it, and the track can still be used as a drill track.

Mike, I like your idea of that being a drill track over sand, makes for better operation. And your point regarding what the silos could store is a though of mine as well.

getloose Wrote:Mike, I like your idea of that being a drill track over sand, makes for better operation. And your point regarding what the silos could store is a though of mine as well.

You still will need to see saw the inbounds with the outbounds since you really won't have that much headroom..The secrete will be not to "wabash" the cars like in the top plan.

Both of Mike's plans have interesting potential, but I should point out that if this facility is manufacturing cement, it is produced from limestone and clay quarried at the facility and the silos are for storing the finished product; to be shipped either in bulk or bagged. They don't receive sand and gravel as you might at a concrete batching plant and I don't think that fly ash is a byproduct of the process. Look around at the Google aerial view I linked to in the previous post.

Since this is a single industry switching layout - that would mean you only need the covered hoppers and box cars and thus you'd have more room to work and one less car type and track to try and squeeze in on the layout. I'd probably go with a version of the lower plan, as it requires fewer switches and doesn't look so filled with track.

Just purchased for the layout...

Atlas silver series gp40-2.

Soon to be weathered.
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I took a quick look at the thread and the photo above and thought, "My gosh! He ran that loco through the washer!" I get it...different one!

FCIN Wrote:Both of Mike's plans have interesting potential, but I should point out that if this facility is manufacturing cement, it is produced from limestone and clay quarried at the facility and the silos are for storing the finished product; to be shipped either in bulk or bagged. They don't receive sand and gravel as you might at a concrete batching plant and I don't think that fly ash is a byproduct of the process. Look around at the Google aerial view I linked to in the previous post.

Since this is a single industry switching layout - that would mean you only need the covered hoppers and box cars and thus you'd have more room to work and one less car type and track to try and squeeze in on the layout. I'd probably go with a version of the lower plan, as it requires fewer switches and doesn't look so filled with track.

Got a point there Ed. Maybe an aggregate company and an industry of some kind. This layout may be an interesting candidate for a GERN plant.

Brakie Wrote:

getloose Wrote:Mike, I like your idea of that being a drill track over sand, makes for better operation. And your point regarding what the silos could store is a though of mine as well.

You still will need to see saw the inbounds with the outbounds since you really won't have that much headroom..The secrete will be not to "wabash" the cars like in the top plan.

Sorry Larry, I forgot to remove the other cars.

Mike Kieran Wrote:Sorry Larry, I forgot to remove the other cars.

Mike,Wabashing cars does add "fun" to operations on small ISLs..One really needs to plan their moves..

I've done it before on my small ISL it just for the change of pace and even as a former brakeman I've done this a few times because I had more cars then headroom but,it added to the fun..