Trial Harbor Belt??

[basementcalling]

It's a temptation I am trying to avoid, but I sketched up a trackplan using Atlas Code 80 track (I have a bunch of old turnouts on hand) in Anyrail just because I am most familiar with its dimensions. Thought about Peco for the tiny industrial switches they have, but not sure any planned motive power would handle those plastic frogs. I would not use sectional track to build the layout, but am also thinking of redrawing using Unitrack (I have a lot on hand as well, but not the curves I would need).

The plan is based on an Ian Rice plan in some back issue of MRP. I could see a small HCD being used here. Approximate dimensions are 28 x 60 inches.  It wants for a prototype, however.



Sections label potential industries. It might actually be a tab too busy with no rail on the switchback spurs left for just moving cars around. Staging is pretty limited, but the interchange connection could easily become a spot to attach cassette style staging.

Attempts to draw in a smaller footprint so far have proved frustrating, though I wouldn't mind if the actual layout came out more in the 2x4 range. My efforts to do that forced elimination of one staging track and the switchback spurs. Too much capacity lost for me.

Give me reasons I should adopt a second layout into the house.

[jpec]

That rocks, Pete! Nice summer project that you can knock out while working on the big one.

Jeff

[MichaelWinicki]

Oooooh!

I like Peter!

It's completely different from the permanent layout– why not do it?

Some industries and buildings that the large layout wouldn't have (and obviously a much different operations pattern).  In addition you can have a much different scenery story to tell.

Looks like it would be a cool project that would provide a different type of fun.

[glakedylan]

very nice plan Peter
I like the amount of industrial space you were able to get in and provide rail service for
the only thing I would change, and it is my own bias, would be the replace the river/water
with a downtown main street and context apropos structures.
go for it!
thanks for sharing
Gary

[basementcalling]

Revised.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Simplify. Bulk should just be a lead.  Ditch the engine house and just leave it a plain track next to the general office building. Also, maybe ditch the oil spot.

Otherwise, I think it has real promise.

[S Class]

Move the engine shed down to lower right, make the bridge straight so you can make it a lift Bridge, I would then make the right hand side from centre point city rather than river and gives a turning basing for barges for grain and metal.

There was a member named Nimo or Nemo on Trainboard doing a bayside layout you should look it up.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Also, have you read Lance Mindheim's great shelf layout books? Sure, they're focused on more linear ops, but for something like this, there are a lot of good lessons to be gleaned.
http://shelflayouts.com/bookstore.htm

[basementcalling]

Also, have you read Lance Mindheim's great shelf layout books? Sure, they're focused on more linear ops, but for something like this, there are a lot of good lessons to be gleaned.
http://shelflayouts.com/bookstore.htm

Ed, I have not read his books, but I read his blog weekly and often agree with his thinking. The books seem a bit pricey to me, but I'm a cheap teacher.  I have thought about cutting the plan in half down the middle and making the two sides into two legs of an L shaped plan, which would put the water either in front or in the background. Either is doable, though all my available corners of rooms have one wall that is only 4 feet long before other objects interfere.

I also thought of using the layout as a base for learning to hand lay turnouts, but that might defeat the goal of quick construction.

[basementcalling]

Move the engine shed down to lower right, make the bridge straight so you can make it a lift Bridge, I would then make the right hand side from centre point city rather than river and gives a turning basing for barges for grain and metal.

There was a member named Nimo or Nemo on Trainboard doing a bayside layout you should look it up.

I'll see if I can unearth that thread, though I rarely read trainboard.

One idea for the left side was to marsh out the harbor there, so the grain and metal shipping areas would be the farthest back in the harbor basin. Might be interesting to see if water products can be combined with static grass to create a salty marsh area like those I see in coastal Virginia near some port industries.

[MichaelWinicki]

I can see Ed's point in nixing the enginehouse. 

But I like having an enginehouse just because... It offers a chance to build an enginehouse.  And that's not a bad thing!  But with the interesting "stuff" one can place around an enginehouse... It's a nice visual point.

[basementcalling]

I can see Ed's point in nixing the enginehouse. 

But I like having an enginehouse just because... It offers a chance to build an enginehouse.  And that's not a bad thing!  But with the interesting "stuff" one can place around an enginehouse... It's a nice visual point.

Exactly. I have a goody set for that spot, IF I decide to go retro on the era. A modern era line would probably not have an engine house as the loco would be contracted out for servicing. Might also depend on where in the country it is located.




Just for kicks, here is an L shaped version. The bulk track is now a lead, colored just for Ed. I managed to add in a LPG Gas tank and a cement plant (ready mix for local use) and substantially increase the size of the grain elevator and add another yard track. Run around might be a hair short however, and staging probably needs relocating, but it could still hide behind oil tanks as in the original. Lift bridge is straight, if a bit hidden instead of front and center in a featured location, but the vertical leg of the L could be quite spectacular with the right backdrop behind it.

[conrailthomas519]

This track plan reminds me of the Toledo, Ohio area.....hhmmm?

[basementcalling]

Side by side comparison of two versions.

Vertical L changed to have bulk transfer yard tracks all off of the runaround.

Right leg of L changed to have direct access to grain elevator without using the switchback. Putting the smaller industry there made more sense.

[Chris333]

Reminds me of the MR MILW project layout.