GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

While i do hope to expand my layout soon, i have come up with a temporary solution to the yard problem.

Basically, i will split "track #1" into two tracks, by adding a #4 switch passed the original snap switch, and then replacing Track #2's switch with a #4 switch. This will condense the tracks together without the cars being TOO close, and will give me a few extra "feet" of car capacity.

The new plan will add 23 inches to my yard. When considering that the average 50' boxcar is just under 7 inches (6.8"), that is a fairly good gain, almost three boxcars worth. True, some of this length is taken up because the locomotive needs to "straighten out" on curves in order for the couplers to align, but a small switcher like the SW9/1200 (more on that later) will definitely minimize the impact. I think my yard will still be congested, but it will allow more room to "sort" and set out cars. At the very least, i might have enough space for two trains worth.

The average train on my layout is two 50' boxcars, two 50' Airslide hoppers, two 40' tankers (5.5"s each), a little over 38" minus the locomotive/caboose. This can also be shortened by using either on Long hopper, or i could use two smaller 40' hoppers instead of 50' hoppers. "Beer can" tankers are also common for corn syrup deliveries, and they're even shorter, at 30'.

I'm sure it won't work out that smoothly once implemented, but it might give me some more capability, and maybe it will look cool in the process. At the very least, it gives me something to do this summer!



In other news, i added a new locomotive to my roster, an "SW1200". Right now though, the SW1200 is seeming like a bad choice, particularly this road number of SW1200 (9344), which did not receive the full Conrail paint on my model until later in life. The model also lacks some important SW1200 details. That said, there is an SW1200 known to work in New Jersey in the late 70s, 9340, one digit off. Unfortunately, I'd have to remove the whole road number to replace it.

On the other hand, if i'm going to go that far, i could just renumber the unit as an SW9. The SW9 is externally identical to the SW1200, and so it would be possible to match up the tiny details with the older SW9, and just pick a unit where the conrail logos are all in about the same place, and where the unit operated in New Jersey.

The new model-



SW1200 #9340 in New Brunswick, NJ. This implies it had to have run over the NEC to get here, so that only adds its appeal to me. I would still need to Install the extended range fuel tanks. I think Custom finishings makes the parts i need.



A possible SW9 to model, this one in Elizabethport, NJ during December 1978. #8991 is the most consistent with the P2K SW9/1200 model i have. The model comes with those spark arrestors, and so it wouldn't be very difficult to accurately model it. The handrails don't match, but that can be fixed (indeed, the handrails on the p2k model only match a few units of either SW1200 or SW9s)

Finally found that box of old train mags and started flipping through them. Gonna take a while, there's a bunch. Tons of plans. Just need to find the one i'm thinking of. Your mention of implied ops is a good idea for running your passenger units. Can't escape that darned compression in this hobby. Initial thought is that a classic folded figure 8 with some sort of staging would be a good start within 8x9 feet. Yeah, it'll be a roundy, but I think you could squeeze in 2 or 3 decent scenes to be viewed seperately from inside or outside the "donut". Plus you have enough room for those 24 to 26" radius curves.

Cool! Let me know if you find something electric (so that i know which back issues to search for). I know in the early 90s there was a few MR articles on commuter trains, and it was a two parter, but that was it.

You COULD escape compression, if we somehow managed to find the space! Back in the real world though, it does suck. I'd like to visualize your idea, but my brain is not playing nice.