Okay-- able to include many of the features of the Rosenberg-Galveston, Texas line for Jimmy Low's room in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. With a few compromises. 3 hidden tracks for Houston staging (mostly UP) behind Alvin scene...behind and possibly even inside back of warehouse front, behind small grain elevator, behind line of trees. Alvin scene has 3 industry spurs and old depot building still exists. Line that runs between Alvin scene and Houston staging represents former ATSF Pearland division. Most ATSF freights to and front Houston used to have to use this route to reach Galveston- Alvin- Rosenberg- Sealy main line. Could be used for a BNSF peddler which leaves cars to be picked up at Alvin by a mainline freight train. That route has also been used for UP trains from Houston using trackage rights over ATSF to go to Algoa for access to ex-MP line to Bay City- Bloomington- Kingsville- Brownsville. I was unable to get that to work here.... just not enough length to put an Algoa connection southeast of the Alvin passing track. I did put an Algoa connection in the middle of the Alvin scene...the same town acts as both Alvin and Algoa. The Algoa staging is on a removable section similar to the west end staging cassette but with 2 differences- built mwith curve, and because it would block access to the Virginia Point scene which is used much more than Algoa, it would be removed and set asaide all the time EXCEPT when being used for a train. A UP train could go to Algoa by entering the Rosenberg scene and Tower 17 from the west via BNSF rails, as if it had come over the BNSF from Sealy. That UP train would continue to Alvin and take the turnout to Algoa. The Algoa "cassette" would then be removed. Galveston causeway ends up 2 to 3 feet long, hardly a representation of the 2 mile long prototype. Two tricks to make it look longer. Rock embankment similar to causeway proper extends onto turnouts at each end which were not actually part of the bridge. And approaches to bridge at each end are on peninsulas with view of water beyond, which adds to feel of big wide bay being crossed. Third trick which is not really a trick but an omission. No liftbridge span in middle of causeway makes the causeway look more linear, creating smaller impression of added length. Galveston is basically a visible staging area. A background scene with port buildings and ships would add a lot, and if passenger trains are to be run, a flat of the 8 story station could be put at the end of the scene. This is a computer conception of a similar scene I am buiulding for my layout:
Okay, this is partly “shameless bump”. After I spent a couple of weeks coming up with a track plan, I wanted to keep it up a few days more. But I also thought it might be interesting to discuss possible operations. UP traffic through Rosenberg, a transcontinental route, should be much heavier than UP traffic to and from Galveston, an end-of-the-line seaport. How to get that balance? 1. UP through trains between UP San Antonio train cassette and Galveston. 2. UP through trains via BNSF trackage rights between BNSF Sealy train cassette and UP Algoa section. 3. UP through trains between UP San Antonio train cassette and hidden Houston staging behind Alvin. This simulates San Antonio-Houston, or San Antonio-Houston-Beaumont or San Antonio-Houston-New Orleans or San Antonio-Houston-Shreveport. All of these through routes represents a PAIR of trains, one in each direction. 4. UP local turn from UP San Antonio train cassette to Rosenberg to switch local industries. Then where? Going to Houston layover would block hidden tracks needed for multiple trains. If the local is a turn, it would usually be reversed before going back to a yard at San Antonio. But where can we make a runaround move? Going to Houston staging and trying to make a runaround on hidden track would be a bit clumsy. Galveston has a runaround, but running the local all the way to Galveston to make a runaround would be unrealistic. UP does not have a modeled runaround or passing siding at Rosenberg. Where then can we turn the train? How about the UP San Antonio train cassette. But a train wouldn’t back up all the way to San Antonio, would it? Remember that we use the train cassettes not only to store trains but also to turn them. So let us imagine after we finish the Rosenberg switching that the UP San Antonio train cassette is not all the way back at San Antonio. We can imagine it is just west of the modeled UP track-- a passing siding. 5. BNSF through trains between BNSF Sealy train cassette and Galveston. 6. BNSF through trains between BNSF Sealy train cassette and Houston, using Tower 17 connection to access UP for trackage rights to Houston hidden staging. 7. BNSF local trains between BNSF Sealy train cassette, switching Rosenberg, switching Alvin, and on to Galveston. (SF used to run opposite direction locals on alternating days, don’t know if that is still the pattern. 8 BNSF through trains between BNSF Sealy train cassette and Algoa (representing trackage rights over UP to Corpus Christi, South Texas, etc.) 9. Amtrak Sunset Limited passenger trains between UP San Antonio train cassette and hidden Houston staging behind Alvin. This simulates visible modeled portion of Los Angeles- Florida route. I would not run Amtrak Sunset Limited to Galveston.
Flash, Where can I get this model http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/99951? Looks like Tower 17. Jimmy
That is an American Model Builders laser cut wood kit number 602. It is kitbashed to look like Tower 3 in Flatonia, Texas. Easy to assemble. Hope this helps. I think Tower 17 was similar but a little larger.
I have revised my track plan and here is the XtrkCAD of the plan. Feel free to comment. You can also post directly to my blog - http://rosenberg-meet.blogspot.com/2009/02/layout-critique-2-open-for-comments.html Jimmy Low
Hi Jamie Since the last update on TrainBoard.com, which was months ago, I have revisited my track plan. The overall vision of modelling Tower 17 Rosenberg all the way to Galveston remained unchanged. If you take a look at my new track plan in my blog, you will see Tower 17 repositioned to the left wall (as recommended by Kenneth). At this position, I can lengthen the UP Glidden and BNSF Galveston. I also removed Galveston and placed it at lower deck. You are right about the tight radii. I have increased to 15" and in certain spots a minor 13" radius. Dash 9 and SD70s are regulars on those locations. In this new plan, I am more convinced, on paper, that it will work and look more aesthetic. Your thoughts please. Jimmy Low
Kenneth, Thanks for the possible scenarios. I didn't quite like the cassettes. It leads to nowhere and will have problems turning around. However, your scenarios will work nicely in my revised layout #3. Check my blog. With 2 decks and helices to allow continuous running for both BNSF Galveston and UP Glidden, your above scenarios will be interesting to operate with 3-4 operators. I hope you will come and operate with me when the tracks are up. Jimmy
Malaysian Rendition of Rosenberg Meet in N-scale Last weekend was another productive one for me. I am happy with this latest track plan for Rosenberg Meet (btw, Rosenberg Meet is the unofficial name of my N-scale layout between Rosenberg and Galveston in Texas. For more info, visit my blog - http://rosenberg-meet.blogspot.com) Let me run you through this update and the motives behind each track arrangement, position and industry. Give me your feedbacks - positive and areas to improve. I always welcome comments. Overall Layout My layout will occupy the existing 11.5ft x 10.5ft utility room. Madam President has approved my real estate acquisition based on the boundries below. I need to present to the Board of Directors the budget, revenue projections, etc. for this project. After all, nobody wants to run a loss-making enterprise, even in a 1:160 world. Why Rosenberg? Tower 17 interlocking tower charmed me when I first saw Wes Carr's photo. Since then, I have been researching more about Rosenberg and this is the one for me. I like BNSF and UP, the two Class 1 railroad west of Mississippi River. Both railroads run long trains on their respective subdivision to Galveston. Modelling BNSF Galveston and UP Glidden subs along this stretch in my utility room fit nicely. Focus is Tower 17 Rosenberg I kept reminding myself that Tower 17 junction had to be right to capture the feel and awe of BSNF and UP trains crossing each other. Today, Tower 17 is a museum piece but on my layout, I want to re-enact the last few days of Tower 17 still in operations and with various BNSF and UP liveries still plying that route (if you see some of the photos taken by railfans, SP, SF, BN liveries are still spotted) Tower 17 will NEVER be boring. There is a story to tell and I will be the story teller. Both UP Glidden track and BNSF Galveston tracks run parallel to each other east of the Tower 17. UP Glidden (to Houston) will disappear at Point B to subroad level and re-emerge at Point B after Alvin. I will model the cotton gin factory at the curve and north of I-90 highway. Smither's Lake Between Richmond and Alvin, there is a junction to Thompsons and Smither's Lake where Houston Light and Power (HL&P) coal-fired power plant is located. I will model compressed coal deposit pit and power plant. The track to no-where is the bypass track that connects to UP Popp sub at Alvin. So, it looks like it disappear off the scene and reappear as 90deg crossing at Alvin. Cool eh? Algoa Algoa is the intersection between UP Angelston, BNSF Mykawa and BNSF Galveston subdivisions. As mentioned earlier, trains will reappear on Point B and cross below the bridge after Alvin (in reality, there is no such crossing) I added to make the UP Glidden run more interesting as well as allowing UP Glidden to have a continuous running. I added a wye near Algoa which connects to UP Angelston (lift-up bridge) to the other side of upper deck and another track that disappears to no-where. On BNSF Galveston, the track after Algoa will head downgrade to a helix to lower deck (staging yard for now, Galveston in the future). There is some empty space right of Algoa (above the helix). I want to model grain elevator. Thus, I am using my creative license to do just that. Is there one in the real Algoa? I did not see it in Google Map. West of Tower 17 The double track north of Tower 17 is BNSF Galveston sub to Sealy and Temple. Not much focus there but the tracks are long enough to hold 2 locos + 10 cars (represented by light blue line and curve). It heads to Point C and into a double track helix to lower deck staging. Meanwhile UP Glidden heads west to San Antonio (represented by track to helix). I don't plan to do much at this corner. Tell me what you think I am happy with the overall layout and track arrangement. I will be using Atlas and ME code 55 flextracks and turnouts. The minimum radius is 15 inch to accomodate 6-axle power motives that ply the route. I could not go beyond 15 inch without compromising on the aisle space. This layout is intended to be run by 3-4 operators. The layout will be DCC using NCE PowerCab (and upgrade to PowerPro later). The turnouts will be #5 and #7 for most of the locations. I am considering whether to invest in handlaid turnouts. I have 26 turnouts at upper deck. Maybe it is economical after all to buy Fast Track jigs and do it myself. Jimmy Low
Hi Everyone I am still hoping to get some comments on my track plan before I start construction in early April. Appreciate any comments. Thks Jimmy
Looks good to me. However, I am used to designing track plans that fit on NTRAK modules so don't have much experience with full blown home layouts.
Thks Russell. We can take each part of my layout as a "module" or layout design element. Anyway, let me start construction and give me feedbacks as I progress.
Jimmy, I am real impressed with the amount of research you have done on the area you area about to model. The concept looks great and the reasons behind your track plan are solid. The only thing I am not crazy about is the duckunder, or is this a liftout, swingout section. I had a duckunder on my last layout and it was a real pain however I still like your plan the way it is, it looks like it would be fun to opperate. Bring on the benchwork.
Thk Ken for your feedbacks. I wanted continuous running for UP Glidden in the event I am operating alone. The space below the lower deck will be occupied with Madam President of railroad company's "junk". Thus, the lift-out is the only way to make sure it is accessible at other times. Yes, the benchwork will start in April. Do visit my blog regularly for progress. All aboard! Jimmy
Jimmy, Regarding the helixes- looks like the one at the lower left of the plan (west of Rosenberg) has a diameter of about 24" and the other is not much larger. Is this correct? If so, that means you will have a 12" radius at most is the helix; possibly smaller since it looks like one has double tracks. Also, for the gin at US 90 just east of Rosenberg, that would be a good way to hide the UP track disappearing out of site. Also looks like you could have it served by rail even though the real one is not (maybe was at one time?). Jamie
One other thing--are you planning on modeling the bridges over the Brazos River between Alvin and Thompsons? That would be a real nice scenic highlight. Jamie
The cotton seed oil plant in Richmond still has a switch. As for the Brazos bridges at Thompsons, here is a photo. The UP bridge is in the foreground and the BNSF bridge is in back. Here is just the BNSF bridge. Still using some of the old piers from the through truss bridge that was replaced.
jamie / Russell, 1. Both helices have max radius of 15 inches or slightly more since I measure from track center. For the one at lower wall, the outer track is 15 inches radius and inner one 13 inches. I am maintaining 2 inches between center lines for curves to avoide overhanged equipment from hitting each other. There will be some auto racks and trailers plying UP Glidden. Do you have a formula to calculate helix? Dave (ppuinn) posted bowl shaped helix when I could not afford the space. 2. Cotton gin plant is meant to hide the track. My plan was for UP Glidden at Point B to go downgrade below the subroadbed and underneath the scenic divider only to reappear at Point B after UP Popp crossing. This track will be at a lower level when it reappears as it will cross below BNSF Galveston track just before Algoa. 3. I will add bridge at Brazos River between Thompsons and Alvin, diagonally just like US 90. Thanks for the feedbacks
Anyone heading or planning to head to Rosenberg, Richmond, Alvin, Algoa, Arcola and Smither's Lake? I would like ground level photos for the locations I am modelling. Google Map images can only provide aerial view and I am trying to make out some of the blurred ones. PM me pls. Thks very much.
