Montana Rail Link 2nd and 3rd Subs - "The Divide"

[nkalanaga]

I noticed that you were "looking south" in the layout plan, but didn't think anything of it.  I think most layout planners, almost instinctively, "look north", simply because that's the way most maps are drawn.  But, here, the important thing is that the layout fits the space.  Otherwise you won't have a layout!

[trainzluvr]

I noticed that you were "looking south" in the layout plan, but didn't think anything of it.  I think most layout planners, almost instinctively, "look north", simply because that's the way most maps are drawn.  But, here, the important thing is that the layout fits the space.  Otherwise you won't have a layout!

I seem to do everything backwards, apparently...

Up direction on the plan is the actual geographical South of the room location, that's how I ended up with True South railroad orientation.

Did some "pruning" by removing Greenhorn Trestle location becuase I do not feel there's room for both in that area. Since Skyline is better known I'll keep it, that way there's more separation space towards Helena. I'll also put a siding between Skyline Trestle and the Mullan Tunnel entrance.

Would it be a crime if the Skyline Trestle is not curving/bowing?

Then, I removed Harrison since the room for it was nothing to write home about, nor was it far apart from Three Forks. There is a grain terminal in Logan, so that could supplement loss of Harrison.

Also, I'm considering removing Frenchtown paper mill and perhaps putting a generic paper mill in the blob as part of city proper of Missoula. Then I can move DeSmet in place of Frenchtown to give it a bit more distance from Missoula.

[nkalanaga]

Skyline Trestle:  The NP had plenty of trestles, straight and curved, so I doubt that anyone other than an NP historian, or maybe a local resident, would care. 

Frenchtown:  Again, if it fits, do it.  There's no reason that, in your alternate universe, the mill couldn't be in Missoula.  Or DeSmet, for that matter, if it would work better.  For that matter, call "The Blob" Milltown, which is basically part of Missoula anyway, and the mill could replace the sawmill/industrial park.  No need for scenic separation, "Milltown" would simply be a timetable location.

[trainzluvr]

Well WTF! I was away from modeling for a week (back to work) and now this:

UPDATE: BNSF Railway to Reacquire Montana Rail Link Lines

Right when I finally picked a prototype, BNSF deep sixes it.

  

[peteski]

Well WTF! I was away from modeling for a week (back to work) and now this:

UPDATE: BNSF Railway to Reacquire Montana Rail Link Lines

Right when I finally picked a prototype, BNSF deep sixes it.

  

Aren't you modeling MRL as it appeared in the last Century?  Plus, there are many layouts out there based on railroads which no longer exist.  I'm just being funny here, and I'm sure that this development sucks for many MRL employees, but I think you'll be ok. 

BTW, there is a thread about this development in the Prototype section of the forum.

[trainzluvr]

I know, I was being facetious. (EDIT: fastedious->facetious)

Glad that everyone at MRL will get to keep their jobs, though not sure what will happen to the blue colour of the engines, I'll miss it if they paint it over with BNSF.

[nkalanaga]

"Fastidious" or "Facetious"?  Or, maybe, both?  They're two very different things!

[trainzluvr]

You are right, should be facetious. I'll blame hands being faster than the head at that moment.

[trainzluvr]

I managed to squeeze in a bit of time and work on the layout plan more.

Sketched in is the main line and the locations with sidings. The sidings orientations are not necessarily correct, but I'm kinda leaning towards keeping them closer to the aisle instead of their true geographic orientation. The main line is pretty rough - I think I'll push it closer to the backdrop where possible/required.



Some concerns:

- Blossburg isn't much of a location, it is too short and after the short bit the transition on the other side of the backdrop is into Missoula. Not sure if there's anything I could do about it though. Was thinking to push Blossburg further to the right so there's at least one train length from the edge of the backdrop until the Mullan tunnel entrance. Problem with that is the Skyline viaduct will be pushed as well and not be curved anymore (blasphemy?);

- East Helena might be too close to Townsend as well. Moving it to the right closer to Helena is probably doable, just how much space do I need for Helena as it'll have a few local industries there, too;

- Missoula does not appear to have enough space for yard infrastructure because it unfortunately ended up on the shorter peninsula. The blob area could be used for it, but that's where I was going to put a nicely sized Paper Mill (it was originally supposed to be in Frenchtown);

- ?

[nkalanaga]

Helena and East Helena might as well be pushed together.  There really isn't much of interest between them.

[trainzluvr]

Thanks.

What about the other items on my list, do you have any suggestions/ideas about them. or do I just stick with it?

[nkalanaga]

For Missoula yard, I don't have any ideas.  On the other hand, does it have enough industries to need a big yard?  Or will it be a few large industries, and the cars can be pre-blocked in Helena?

I don't think it matters if Skyline Trestle is straight or curved.  The NP had a number of trestles, and most viewers won't recognize it as a specific one.

[trainzluvr]

For Missoula yard, I don't have any ideas.  On the other hand, does it have enough industries to need a big yard?  Or will it be a few large industries, and the cars can be pre-blocked in Helena?

I don't think it matters if Skyline Trestle is straight or curved.  The NP had a number of trestles, and most viewers won't recognize it as a specific one.

Thank you.

Are you bothered that I'm asking all these questions?

It has been brought to my attention through a private message by another member that I'm apparently asking too many questions, and can't make a decisions for myself.

[LIRR]

Less is more……avoid analysis paralysis…

[trainzluvr]

Less is more……avoid analysis paralysis…

My line of thinking was to learn more about Montana railroading as I live in Ontario, Canada and there's only so much research I can do online. I suppose I should take a creative license and "wing it" despite supposedly modelling the prototype.

To me it just says that everyone who's modelling prototype is full of ***** because they make it all up as they go, while claiming it's prototype based. Or worse, the people who are looking at their work and say "Oh, yeah I can see it" as if they recognize the locations and areas on the layout matching exactly the real world. I witnessed that happen many times, and it never looked like the real world.