Southern Pacific Switching Layout

[FCIN]

Industrial parks are not really prominently pictured or mentioned in most of my books (or at the very least, they are not pointed out).

How true! This is one aspect of the railroad industry that seems to have been greatly overlooked for many years. One that in my opinion is the most interesting aspect of railroading. After all, rail shipments must originate and terminate at their customers.

Couldn't tell you how many times I've seen a photo or video of a crew working such and such an industry and thought to myself, "what are they shipping/receiving" - "what does this facility look like?", etc.

Perhaps with all the interest these days in industrial switching, we'll start to see more information about such operations. Even though my layout is currently in the planning/testing stage but can be operated, I've gotten more enjoyment from modeling and operating an industrial spur than any other layout theme I've gotten in to over the years.

It's great to see modelers like Jack Hill, who actual work in the industry, take the time to photograph and explain the way railroad service works at specific industries/locations. Hope to see more of this in the future. I sure wish I'd taken a camera with me years ago and photographed what took place at the distilleries and other industries around here!