Woodbine Industrial Track

[conrail1973]

I would like to start out by staying that this a work in progress for me.  The Woodbine Industrial Track is on a 30x80 HCD that I've been working on for the past 7 years.  At some point, I would like to change out the Atlas True Track, but I'm okay with it for the time being.

The time setting for the Woodbine Industrial Track is 1991 (the year I graduated from high school).  The physical setting for the Woodbine Industrial Track is in the Scranton, PA Area.  I model Conrail, Reading and Northern and Susquehanna motive power.  It's also a good time where I can model some vehicles from the late 1970s and 1980s.  I currently model three industries:

Three Daughters Brewing Company:
Receives: Corn, Malted Barley, Corn Syrup, Hops, and Cardboard
Ships: Beer

Public Team Track:
Receives: Produce, Lumber, Paper Products

Coleco Industries:
Receives: Plastic Pellets
Ships: Games

Operations:
I run a 5 day schedule M-F schedule on my layout using a switch list modeled after one that was shown in one of Lance Mindhiem's books.  My layout is receiving anywhere between 3-9 cars a day.  I also like the fact that this is a shoving operation that allows me to run each train with a caboose.  I also run an operating session that is about 30 minutes in length for each day.

Scenery:
This is where I need the most help/advice for this layout.  I started placing some styrene sheets on part of the layout, but I don't know what to do with the area around the brewery with regards to roads/parking lots.  I would like to add some ground cover (grass/dirt) and trees on my layout, but I'm puzzled as to what to use. 

Structures:
I think the grain elevator might be a little too much for the brewery, but I don't know what to replace it with.  I would like to place some sort of silo next to the Walthers American Hardware Building  as well (Coleco Industries), but I don't what to do with that idea.  I'm also open to some more ideas with the team track as I have the ramp/loading dock there.

I appreciate any feedback with my layout.  I'm very happy with regards to the operations of my layout, but I would like to make improvements to the scenery when I have the time between family and work.

Thanks,
Adam

[garethashenden]

I know you say you're happy with the operation of the layout, but I think you need to add a run around. Currently there is no way to spot a car at the loading ramp and not trap the locomotive at the end of the track.

[Philip H]

So I like the track and I agree about the run around - you'll thank us.

As to scenery, the roads look ok as a template, though I'm not sure I'd wrap all the way around your brick building in the middle. My biggest issue is its too flat. Doing trees of different sizes can mask that some, but at the end of the day even the supposedly table top Midwest is not really flat.

[auburnrails]

I think it looks great.  If it weren't for the customer at the far lower right in the first photo, I'd disagree about the runaround.  In fact, my shelf industrial layout will not have one partially by design as it will require the exact same shove with a caboose - er, shoving platform as part of the operational interest. 

Having said that, I don't have anything against the idea of you adding a runaround if it improves what you're doing.  I just know that for me it is part of the design purpose of my layout.

-Dave

[conrail1973]

I appreciate the feedback!  The runaround is an idea that I will play around with because I do see them on the few Conrail ZTS charts that I have on industrial tracks.  I generally stage my trains where the ramp is by that station.  I don't use the ramp from a prototypical basis, and I was wondering if I should get rid of it?  With regards to the scenery, I agree that it is too flat for that part of the country.  I'm still researching old Railpace magazines and Google maps to find a way to blend some of the natural scenery in an urban/suburban environment.

Thanks,
Adam

[crrcoal]

What a simple but great switching layout! These HCD's are just amazing!

[jpec]

Very nice! The plan's mirror image reminds me of an industry near me in Odenton, MD that  made a wide range of products like non-conductive components and countertop laminates over its lifetime. Check out some of the layout engineering reports here such as Dave Vollmer's PRR and the Seaboard Central and NKP threads as well as Conrail 1285.com  for lots of great scenery tips. I like the Atlas C65, with some painting and weathering it can look good; I wish they didn't threat it like the ugly stepsister and expand the product line.  If you don't use the loading dock, or even if you do, I'd put a cleat on the door edge and clamp a staging lead for your train to enter/exit the scene.

Jeff

[conrail1973]

I will go ahead and check out some of those threads.  I never thought of weathering the track, and that would be a fun project to do.  That will definitely be on my to do list for 2016.

Thanks,
Adam

[jpec]

I will go ahead and check out some of those threads.  I never thought of weathering the track, and that would be a fun project to do.  That will definitely be on my to do list for 2016.

Thanks,
Adam

Also check out the Trenton Transportation Company thread and the Canton, Highlandtown & Fells Point thread here as well.I'm not sure if the photos are still upon the Trenton thread but Google John Sing as well...both modelers do a commendable job working with Unitrak which is hinkier than True-Track...

Jeff

[GimpLizard]

Speaking of True-Track... Does anyone know if Atlas is still planning on expanding that line? Years ago, at Trainfest, an Atlas employee (don't recall who) told me they were planning numbered turnouts and more curve size options. I've been waiting ever since.

By the way, Adam, I like what you've done so far. But I also agree about the run-around.

[Cory Rothlisberger]

Speaking of True-Track... Does anyone know if Atlas is still planning on expanding that line? Years ago, at Trainfest, an Atlas employee (don't recall who) told me they were planning numbered turnouts and more curve size options. I've been waiting ever since.

By the way, Adam, I like what you've done so far. But I also agree about the run-around.

That's a goal of mine for 2016. The place we moved our track to is just getting themselves familiar with producing our N True Track line. There are things drawn,  so it's only a matter of time and hopefully, my HO projects don't get in the way... 

[GimpLizard]

That's a goal of mine for 2016. The place we moved our track to is just getting themselves familiar with producing our N True Track line. There are things drawn,  so it's only a matter of time and hopefully, my HO projects don't get in the way... 

Curses to HO! Curses, I say! 

Oh, and thanks, Cory.

[Cory Rothlisberger]

I like switching layouts and got a little bored over lunch. Just sayin'...

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[GimpLizard]

I like switching layouts and got a little bored over lunch. Just sayin'...

(Attachment Link)

That last one... on the far right... is for the Back to the Future, Part III, levitation train?

[wm3798]

As for scenery, if you're familiar with Scranton, you know it's far from flat...  One very simple way to bring the terrain into better focus is to (horror of horrors) pull up all the track, and put a layer of 2" foam panel between the track and the door panel.

Then all you have to do is carve away everything that doesn't look like Scranton.

Lee