Southern Pacific Switching Layout

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Hmm... Well before I start building the layout I want to consider all possible choices, so if you guys know of any other industrial parks that I could model in my space PLEASE let me know

I'm going to give you some suggestions, but i strongly reccomend researching this yourself. See if you local library has any railroad books that pertain to your interests. if you can find some cheap on amazon, ask about the, and then pick up your own small library. Research is a part of life.

Anyways, my final suggestions

Morristown & Erie-

The Morristown & Erie was a shortline railroad in northern New Jersey, which has a mainly Alco fleet since 1982, when the bankrupt shortline was bought by a financial group. The Alco Centurys were all unwanted Conrail units. I'm pretty sure they serve a few industrial parks, and if you track their lines using bing, Google Earth, and Historic Aerials, you should be able to find a branch or industrial area that you can model in the 1980s with Alcos and first-generation EMDs.

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Also, if you want to just see track and figure out the trains later, Conrail ZTS charts.

You WILL find plenty of industrial parks, and the maps describe everything about the tracks.

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That question is so very open it is a save inhibitor for any further progress other than paper planning. I seriously suggest you start building the layout now.

I agree!

Don't succumb to "analysis paralysis". To consider ALL possibilities would take an infinite amount of time, so settle on a plan that is solid and you can build (or build on). Remember "The Perfect is the enemy of The Good".


Andrew

Exactly! you need to settle on something, or you'll never get anywhere. It seems your problem is that you're trying to combine to many unusual things. Its giving your layout a major identity crisis and this needs to be resolved before you begin.

Not that the weren't industrial parks in the 1980s, but they weren't around then like the are around now. In those days, there was still branch lines with industries along them.

Alcos aren't really conducive with the 1980s, with only a few operators left (mostly short-lines like the M&E mentioned above)


Bottom line, get out there, read books, watch DVDs, cruise RRPictureArchives.net , and research it yourself. find your model train identity.