08-03-2011, 03:21 PM
How about an automobile distribution facility?
Before i sound insane, i've seen one in the middle of nowhere in Montana. It was essentially a spur with a Run around on the spur, and maybe an extra track (gotta find it again). The entire run around was flush with the asphalt. The locomotives would pull in with the Auto racks or flat cars (which were loaded with construction and farm equipment), and run around back to the branch it came from. There were about 4 portable ramps that could be rolled around to any particular location, and cars and trucks unloaded.
Automobiles are typically shipped by rail if distances are beyond ~200/250 Miles, and any distance shorter than that is handled by truck. You can model the flow of new automobiles to rural areas. Because this IS a rural distribution center, it doesn't need to be big. The one i found in Montana had a storage lot smaller than the parking for the local shopping mall, and you don't have to model the whole thing.
Before i sound insane, i've seen one in the middle of nowhere in Montana. It was essentially a spur with a Run around on the spur, and maybe an extra track (gotta find it again). The entire run around was flush with the asphalt. The locomotives would pull in with the Auto racks or flat cars (which were loaded with construction and farm equipment), and run around back to the branch it came from. There were about 4 portable ramps that could be rolled around to any particular location, and cars and trucks unloaded.
Automobiles are typically shipped by rail if distances are beyond ~200/250 Miles, and any distance shorter than that is handled by truck. You can model the flow of new automobiles to rural areas. Because this IS a rural distribution center, it doesn't need to be big. The one i found in Montana had a storage lot smaller than the parking for the local shopping mall, and you don't have to model the whole thing.
Modeling New Jersey Under the Wire 1978-1979.
![[Image: logosmall.png]](http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg445/CAB_IV/Model%20Trains%202013/logosmall.png)