City Switching

[Ian MacMillan]

Ok....so I have begun to like MS Live Maps better than Google Maps for its "Bird's Eye View". It really helps to get down in there and take a look around.

With that...I have once again been bitten by the bug to build a city switching layout. I had been pondering the Nicollet Ave industrial track in Minneapolis, but I'm now thinking more towards trackage in Chicago.

The layout is designed to be taken to shows as a stand alone unit. Layout would be L shaped with each leg being about 12'-16'

I was also thinking of maybe a straight design that went about 20', but I kinda like the L shape better.

Soo Bandits are really getting me in this mood too.

This would not replace my currently layout, but be pretty much for shows...also all handlaid so maybe I can use it as sales tool!

[tom mann]

cool, don't forget this resource:

http://chicagoswitching.com/v5/articles/mapdisplay.asp

You can pick an area based on the frequency of photos.

[Ian MacMillan]

cool, don't forget this resource:

http://chicagoswitching.com/v5/articles/mapdisplay.asp

You can pick an area based on the frequency of photos.

Post whore, who could forget your site!

[diezmon]

chicago.. bah..

you should model the GN in NE minneapolis.. along the Mississippi 

[Ryan87]

How bout the Soo Line (Ex Milwaukee) Elevators along Hiawatha Ave. You could even model it as Minnesota Commercial if you wanted.

[diezmon]

How bout the Soo Line (Ex Milwaukee) Elevators along Hiawatha Ave. You could even model it as Minnesota Commercial if you wanted.

ooh baby.. you could have the mpls depot on one end too

[3rdrail]

Don't forget the many switching short lines in the New York area, like Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal, Jay Street Connecting, Bush Terminal, Hoboken Shore, and East Jersey.

The ultimate switching line, IMHO:







Just a few photos to whet your appetite. 

[wcfn100]

I always thought that the Commercial along Hwy 280 would compress into a neat layout.  I want to get an outline of those industries someday.  I know I remember lots of coil cars and I think some center beams.  But I always like the terrain.


Jason

[Ian MacMillan]

Ah, no on the NY stuff....same with Boston terminal switching railroads. In my opinion they are just too plain dull and I have never had any interest in them.


I have also been looking over some of my 1973 B&M track maps of the street trackage in Manchester, NH and that may be of interest. However since thats what my main layout is based off of I don't think I will be going with it. The Chicago and Nicollet seems like it will be the way to go.

[Ryan87]

I always thought that the Commercial along Hwy 280 would compress into a neat layout.  I want to get an outline of those industries someday.  I know I remember lots of coil cars and I think some center beams.  But I always like the terrain.
Jason

Oh yeah with the Hennepin Lead and the Large Pascal/IPSCO Plant that would be sweet.

Have you seen this site (horribly out of date but...)
http://www.mnnr.org/prototype/tour/

He also has a timetable with Switching Profiles
http://www.mnnr.org/prototype/timetable/

[diezmon]

I always thought that the Commercial along Hwy 280 would compress into a neat layout.  I want to get an outline of those industries someday.  I know I remember lots of coil cars and I think some center beams.  But I always like the terrain.
Jason

Oh yeah with the Hennepin Lead and the Large Pascal/IPSCO Plant that would be sweet.

Have you seen this site (horribly out of date but...)
http://www.mnnr.org/prototype/tour/

He also has a timetable with Switching Profiles
http://www.mnnr.org/prototype/timetable/

I just got a response from MNDOT.. apparently they have RR valuation maps of many areas..  those would come in handy too

[Iain]

New Bern, NC in the 1890's; SIX railroads, curves tighter than a frog's butt at a watermelon seed spittin' contest, and plenty of switching.  You can combine logging, a port, nice street running, narrow gauge, etc.

[Ian MacMillan]

New Bern, NC in the 1890's; SIX railroads, curves tighter than a frog's butt at a watermelon seed spittin' contest, and plenty of switching.  You can combine logging, a port, nice street running, narrow gauge, etc.

Uh no...

[tom mann]

Ian, you need this:

http://www.mrha.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=135

[wm3798]

I always thought the belt line around Baltimore Harbor would make a great urban switching layout.  President Street station on the east, Hillen Terminal and Calvert Station to the north, Camden Yards to the West, and Locust Point to the south, with a spiderweb of sidings and spurs around the inner harbor.  Into the 1960's the joint was jumpin'.

Too bad you can't use google maps to go back in time...

But I do have a Baltimore City map from 1948 showing all the different rail connections, and every siding located in the city...

Lee