Switching Challenges?

[Rossford Yard]

As noted on two other threads, I will soon be moving and starting an 8 x 17 switching layout, which is under design.

I think I have posted this years ago, maybe on Atlas forums, but I would like to get nearly every type of switching challenge (save large yard and/or hump trimming) in this layout for the maximum fun.  Looking for pix, plans or verbal descriptions of every type of switching challenge, like:

Single Siding Trailing Point
Single Siding Facing Point
Mix (Timesaver)

Single Long Track Multiple Customers (requires moving some cars to place others)

Single Long Track Multiple Doors for Single Warehouse Customer, requiring some moving of cars for spots)

Off Spot Switching (i.e., put cars on nearby siding for placement later when customer is ready)

Industry with multiple tracks, switching only one track a day, or requiring re-spots

Transload Terminals - Paired tracks for truck access, most often used to unload covered hoppers and tank cars

Team Track for Box Car, Flat Car, Lumber loading (single or double ended)

Large Industry with multiple tracks and car types (i.e.,
 Soft Drink Maker - Corn Syrup In, Cov Hopper for other chemicals In, Insulated Box Out)
 Steel - scrap gons in, coils, flats, etc. out

Loads In, Empties Out -  Lumber Store, Coal, Gravel, etc.

Long Spot - Grain Elevators creeping under loading bin at slow speed for loading (could also be ore or coal loading)

Long Spur - must travel some distance on branch to get to one or more sidings

Interchange track(s) at a junction (perhaps with junction, crossing, other main etc. affecting operations)

Switchback (Longer the Better!)

Tight Curve requires spacer car

Flying Switch (i.e. using speed to kick a car into a siding) (probably not practical in N)

Not really affecting switching, but some different looks I like:

Siding(s) going into a covered bay or the building, a structural canyon or a water front scene. 

Quarry scene with tracks descending into quarry pit.

Street Trackage

That seems pretty comprehensive a list to choose from, but it's pre=coffee on a Sunday morning, and I appreciate anyone who can add more!

[mu26aeh]

You might be able to draw some inspiration from here:

http://oscalewcor.blogspot.com/2011/01/inland-container-layout-design-element.html

Website hasn't been updated in a few years, but has many pages of information on different area industries.

[Rossford Yard]

Thanks and looks good.  Think I might use that corn syrup loading almost as is.  The main in the center of a holding and spotting track makes a lot of sense.  Plus, holding up to 30 cars (proto, will be scaled down) but spots for 6 (also scaled, maybe at same 5 to 1 ratio) means loco will need to come out from somewhere else on a regular basis to rotate cars. Kewl!

Also, seems as if Class 1 brings the cars, but old Alco's switch the industries.....I had planned on using Rail America or similar Atlas GP38, or rotating class 1 roads every session as the mood struck, but why not have ancient locos switching an old industrial area?

[mu26aeh]

This is along the Gettysburg & Northern line in southcentral Pennsylvania.  Cars are dropped at Gettysburg by CSX or Mt Holly Springs by Norfolk Southern.  In case of corn syrup cars, they come up from Gettysburg.  G&N currently rosters a two GP10's, and a FP9

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Go, right now, to Lance Mindheim's website and buy all of the books:
http://lancemindheim.com/book-store/

Start with the ops one. It'll change your life man.

[Rossford Yard]

This is along the Gettysburg & Northern line in southcentral Pennsylvania.  Cars are dropped at Gettysburg by CSX or Mt Holly Springs by Norfolk Southern.  In case of corn syrup cars, they come up from Gettysburg.  G&N currently rosters a two GP10's, and a FP9

Whoo Hoo! I can switch with an F unit in the 2000's?  This just gets better and better!

Ed, I have all Lance's books, but was looking for actual track arrangements that provide switching challeng from you guys.!

[mu26aeh]

Whoo Hoo! I can switch with an F unit in the 2000's?  This just gets better and better!

Ed, I have all Lance's books, but was looking for actual track arrangements that provide switching challeng from you guys.!

Here is footage of it leading train to Biglerville and points north

The F unit in question is an ex-Algoma Central unit, patched for Pioneer Rail (owner of G&N).  There is also a B unit and I think another A unit floating around somewhere as well.  I remember an ABA set when they were delivered via CSX interchange in Gettysburg years ago.  If Intermountain gets off their butts, this unit is in their announcement in Algoma paint.  Just have to patch out AC markings and letter for PREX.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok, good.

I'll go back to lurking then.

OOh, wait, I do have a suggestion...

Start going through these:
http://www.multimodalways.org/archives/rrs/CR/CR%20ZTS/CR%20ZTS.html

They're Conrail's ZTS maps, which are basically maps of the entire railroad, showing all customers, the trackage, and loading facilities. They're very useful.

Can I point to good ones? Hmm.

I'm a big fan of the last 10 or so pages of this:
http://www.multimodalways.org/docs/railroads/companies/CR/CR%20ZTS/CR%20Harrisburg%20V1%20ZTS%2010-1992.pdf

[OldEastRR]

What, no produce yard? Freight switching on a passenger train schedule.

[Rossford Yard]

Ok, good.

I'll go back to lurking then.

OOh, wait, I do have a suggestion...

Start going through these:
http://www.multimodalways.org/archives/rrs/CR/CR%20ZTS/CR%20ZTS.html

They're Conrail's ZTS maps, which are basically maps of the entire railroad, showing all customers, the trackage, and loading facilities. They're very useful.

Can I point to good ones? Hmm.

I'm a big fan of the last 10 or so pages of this:
http://www.multimodalways.org/docs/railroads/companies/CR/CR%20ZTS/CR%20Harrisburg%20V1%20ZTS%2010-1992.pdf

Ed,

Thanks.  Appreciated and downloaded. I especially like the Toledo Division, as relatives there worked for both Conrail and Chessie (and predecessors.) While I ID with the B and O side,  the NYC Stanley yard went through our family farm near Andrus road.  Ditto the PRR Outer Yard.  Both had roundhouses just south of Andrus, and there is still a concrete foundation for one and a pile of bricks from the other in the woods.  There is even an old engine house track with a few long abandoned freight cars on disconnected track there.

Lots of good track layouts, and the best ones are in fact prototype inspired.

Old East, just north of Andrus, now a mobile home park, used to be one of the largest produce yards around, circa 1940 or so.  I think the biggest problem in devoting so much track space to a single type of car (reefer) is less interesting.  Will probably put in a modern cold storage facility or some such.  Considered Auto Rack yards and so forth as well, but figure I want to eliminate the large cars on this layout, due to tighter radius. 

Thanks for all the input.

[TLOC]

Ed, thanks for that download, I liked the Chicago division. You have me rethinking why I am doing the CN Valley Sub in Wisconsin when my heart still lies in the Chicago area where I grew up. So many of those maps hit home...

TomO

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The zits maps can lead you down a real rabbit hole. I'm glad you guys enjoy them.