Northwest Industrial Park Engineering Report

[SSW7771]

I am starting this topic to track my progress on my Northwest Industrial Park N scale shelf layout. The main purpose for this layout help me build up my modelings skills. That way when (if when) I get a chance to build the "dream" Layout I will be better prepared.

The layout was inspired by Lance Mindheim's book "How To Build A Shelf Layout" however, I changed the locate to the real Northwest Industrial Park in NW Houston, Texas along SP's Houston-Dallas Line. I chose several industries and relocated them to the same lead which I used as the basis for the layout.

I started the layout about a year and half ago just after I got married. The layout as if currently stands is fully operational and has very rough scenery. Couple of the structures are in progress. Now for a few pictures...




Thanks,

Marshall

[auburnrails]

Welcome!  Looks awesome, too.  I'm also inspired by Lance's work and gradually working on a modular industrial layout.  It's nice to see your work.  It's hard to tell from the pictures, but do you use a cassette for the lead?

Great job!

-Dave

[packers#1]

sweet, looks good. I also enjoy Lance's work, and I'm beginning work on a small inglenook layout that will be operated like an industrial park a bit. Looking forward to seeing more work 

[SSW7771]

Welcome!  Looks awesome, too.  I'm also inspired by Lance's work and gradually working on a modular industrial layout.  It's nice to see your work.  It's hard to tell from the pictures, but do you use a cassette for the lead?

Great job!

-Dave

Thanks for the comments guys!

Dave, yes that is a cassette on the right. It provides a swtiching lead and staging at the begining and end of the op session. I orginally built the layout on top a shelving unit in my old apartment. The cassette went across the bedroom door and was removed when the layout was not in use. Since then we bought a house and now it is mounted on the wall using the adjustable shelving from Home Depot. Below are a few pictures of the cassette:




Thanks,

Marshall 

[James Costello]

Always good to see the SSW/SP here 

[auburnrails]

Thanks for the shots of the cassette.  Nice!  I was asking about it because my under construction will need one as a lead but it will stick out into the middle of the room about 5' so I'm not sure how to proceed yet.  It's early - plenty of time to plan it - but it will need at least a leg of some sort since I don't have a wall to rest it on. 

Great job!

-Dave

[squirrelhunter]

Always great to see someone modeling a TEXAS prototype!

I grew up in Houston and spent a lot of time driving around the old H&TC from Houston to Hearne and the old Katy along I-10.

You will need some GP-9E's or SW-1500's for the 80's and 90's, or throw in some RS-11's and RS-32's in the 70's. UP has used a collection of GP38/40/60 series and B40-8's on the locals that run this line.

[postman]

Like your layout. I´m also building a switching layout inspired by Lance Mindheim´s work. Have 2 industries, a food processor and a transload terminal.  I´m modeling CSX in South Florida.
Any update?

[SSW7771]

Thanks for the comments guys!

Here is a quick update. I have not have much train time between my travel schedule for work and house chores. A few weeks ago I caught my cat Thor getting a little too personnal with the layout. Sorry for the fuzzy picture, I stepped out the room for a second and upon return caught him red handed.


So I switched gears and starting building a lighting valance to take care of two issues:
1. better layout lighting
2. a place to mount a cover to keep Thor off the layout when not in use

Here is the current state of the valance. I still need to paint and install lighting.


Thanks,

Marshall

[auburnrails]

Looks great!

-Dave

[SSW7771]

Layout Update!

I have not had much layout time since the last update, but I did get the lighting valance finished and installed. Below are a few pictures of the lights I installed, I plan to change the light bulbs out with some LED bulbs later on. Overall I am pleased with results. For those who have a good eye, you will notice that the light fixtrues were about 1" too big. I may extend the valance in the future to hide these.







Thanks,

Marshall

[avel]

This is cool, makes me want to get my plank out and do a little work on it. Maybe extend it just so I have an excuse to get some of the Exactrail bulkhead flatcars.

[Supaned]

Great layout - one question I have.

Do you manually uncouple the cars or use magnets for hands-free?

[SSW7771]

Great layout - one question I have.

Do you manually uncouple the cars or use magnets for hands-free?

I use a Rix pick uncoupling tool for manual uncoupling. It works good for my application.

Thanks,

Marshall

[squirrelhunter]

Looks good! What is the area in the foreground going to be? I think it is listed as Energy Alloys on your schamtic.