Hello, I am about to embark on building my first Shelf layout. I have been busy with some designs and would like user comment on what you think. I have tried to fore see any and all issues with regards to opperations but as I am a newbie to opperations it is this aspect that concerns me the most. I am modeling in HO, North America between 1990 and 2000. I will be trying to concentrate on scenery and fine details and my wish is for realistic opperations of an industrial area. I do not specifically want a yard and have designed a shelf to "fiddle" the trains that would enter the Industrial Zone to swop out/move and spot cars at various industries. I am looking at a concrete product plant, grain/feeds manufacture(Mana Pro), a Building materials site and a paint and plastics site. Perhaps Paper and some others too... I want to use SSW GP40-2 PhII to switch with and still need to identify my final area to prototype. I have looked at Kansas City MO, Phoenix AZ, Denver CO, and Fresno and others in CA. I would like to achieve something along the lines of Pelle Soeborg and Lance Mindheim in time but my main aim here is to aviod any OBVIOUS opperational issues. I will be opperating alone mostly. Let me know what you think... Scale:HO Grid: 100mm (3.93inch) Min Radius: 610mm (24inch) Turnouts: #6
I think this is a very cool plan. I like the way the industries are organized - a good balance for each direction. It's big and spacious for a switching layout. Is the fiddle part of a lift out? The long run-around with the associated sidings can function as your "yard", and it looks like you are aware of this. Lance Mindheim wrote a few times words to the effect that the more one understands how the prototype operates, the less track is needed, and I could not agree more. Your plan would keep an engineer and a brakeman very busy. Really nice! Ric
Thanks Ric, Since you are in Texas would you say there were a few SSW GP-40-2PII's around in the mid to late 90's? I have looked up the loco's I have and they are in service under UP in Phoenix and the Tuson area
I'm not sure; only lived here a bit more than one year. Espee at one time operated the "macaroni" line from Rosenberg to Victoria, but it was abandoned I don't know when, and was purchased and rebuilt by KCS a few years ago. Southern Pacific had a large presence around San Antonio and probably lots of other places in Texas. Some of the old heads on the 'Board would know better than I. You might also try looking at the "Fallen Flags" rail photo website; lots of pictures, most with locations and dates. Good luck! Ric
I grew up in North Texas in the 90's and can remember seeing Cotton Belt equipment all over the place, even after the merger.
