The B&O Delaware Avenue Branch

[TrainCat2]

Not true, I do like to run trains and switch cars. That is why I asked for comments on any operational design errors I may have missed.

Now my fav is to run long trains over a long track. That will just have to wait until I retire to AZ.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thinking about the ops aspect, I think you may have reach in issues with all the foreground stuff in the way, especially if they're nice big beautifully detailed buildings.

What's your plan for that?

And what's your motive power plan for this?

[TrainCat2]

I have specifically planned that all buildings between the operator(s) and Delaware Ave, except for the cold storage (4 stories), are only 2 stories so they are not high enough to get in the way. It is 2ft and less from the edge of the module to the most rearward switch.

My motive power is very thin for the switching job. I do have one B&O DCC/Snd Mogal and two B&O DCC only S-4's. Power to arrive and depart cars to the staging will be BLI Heavy Mikes or maybe an F3.

Edit: Thinking about the F series, I could use any of my DCC F3's or F7's from either Kato and/or BLI. Just use the A unit. I had missed out on all of the other Atlas DCC switchers that had come out before I got back in.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I think you'd be OK with the S4s.

I can't imagine a Mike or F unit down there, but it'd be a sight to see!

I have some good news: VO-1000s might be a good fit for you.

http://rr-fallenflags.org/bo/bo-9000.html

I also think you might want to take advantage of MBK's current sale on Bachman 0-6-0s.
http://rr-fallenflags.org/bo/bo-steam.html

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/bachmann-n-50555-usra-0-6-0-swtcher-with-slope-tender-baltimore-and-ohio-1138/
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/bachmann-n-50408-usra-0-6-0-with-short-haul-tender-new-york-central-224/

They're projects, but they have surprisingly good bones.

[TrainCat2]

Thanks Ed,

I was able to grab 2 ATSF 0-6-0 as that is all they had but at least they are DCC Ready. Just need to research if there is a drop-in decoder for it. Also have to figure what will remove the pad printing without stripping all of the paint.

The VO-1000 has a decoder on MBK, but I'm having to deal on FeeBay for one. Don't ya just love those sellers that bundle shipping into the item and when you buy multiple items they get all pissy about cutting you a deal for combined shipping? Clear cut greed.

There are two brand new MP DCC Ready B&O Moguls with different Rd#'s that I might try to get if there is an available decoder for it.

[wm3798]

What about this guy?



They were built to operate the docks in Philly and Baltimore. 
You'll need to grind down some flanges, and remotor, add weight, and figure out where to hide a decoder, but no warehouse district by the harbor is truly complete without one.

Now get to work!!

Lee

[sd45elect2000]

I was thinking the same thing as Lee. I recall micro ace or Tomox  making 0-4-0 chassis to improve the little tank engines or something like little boxcab engines powered by Kato shorty B chassis or something of the sort. Might be worth a visit to Plaza Japan to see what is out there. Add some keep alive caps and I think you might overcome many running issues.

As soon as I saw the track plan I instantly thought tank engine.

Long locomotives don’t like to couple on curves, not limited to model trains.

Randy

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Except... I don't know if those 0-4-0s got east of Highlandtown.

I thought I remember reading they were basically only for use around the Baltimore Inner Harbor.

All that said... http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1801759
E8s are in the picture, lol.

[wm3798]

"East of Highlandtown" was not really part of the equation... not a lot of street trackage or dense heavy industry, there at the time.
I agree that the line from Key Hwy to President St was their prime domain, but Boston St., Fells Pt, and Canton also had tightly curved sidings bending into stacks of bricks.
The 0-4-0s were replaced eventually by yhose rubber tired tractors, which we know operated in both cities, so it's safe to assume that Delaware Ave would have had a few.



But the fundamental truth is it would be cool looking.  My vote goes to a static display if nothing else!

Lee

[sd45elect2000]

I assume you will have a staging yard someplace to get the cars to and from the Delaware branch? Looking at the volume of the traffic I have to assume there would be several transfer runs to and from the branch.

Again from the traffic volume I assume that there are engines and crews assigned to the branch and that there has to be some engine servicing tracks someplace.

It appears that in order to switch every track during an operating session it could take about 4 different crews and engines providing that there is one round trip to the staging yard per session.

The transfer job would be larger MU locomotives, perhaps the Baldwin VO 1000 as mentioned earlier in multiple.

The other option would be to base the crews and locomotives from the staging yard but one crew could not switch every spot in a shift plus return to the staging yard in one 16 hour shift unless the switches are split between two or more crews. I think the customers would insist on 24/7 service especially when it comes to unloading vessels so it is logical to base a couple of jobs on the branch. That means there needs to be a yard office and an engine service area with fuel,sand,water etc.

Randy

[Ed Kapuscinski]

"East of Highlandtown" was not really part of the equation... not a lot of street trackage or dense heavy industry, there at the time.

My reference was more "they didn't leave Baltimore".

Somewhere in my mess of a library I have an article from the B&OHS that talks about the operations around the harbor using those things. Apparently they were so under powered that they often needed helpers to get out of Mount Claire heading to Pratt St.

If I remember correctly a lot of that super tight trackage was switched using single truck electrics and horses until the tired switchers came along.

[TrainCat2]

Great point Randy, I can add a small one over on the rear right module. As for the staging, see below. I have not designed that area yet but it will have a service facility as well.



As far as operations, I am really a lone wolf. There is only one other person in my area that I could invite since he is into N as well as RC planes at the same club as I belong. I did get a hold of a B-Man 0-4-0T this morning (B&O #98) and we shall see what I will do with it. I also got an Atlas 0-4-0 Shifter, 2 DCC Ready MILW VO-1000's that will get stripped and repainted and I'm watching another B-Man DCC loco to see where the price ends up. I have "0" experience in loco rebuilding and conversion so I guess I'm gunna get a crash course on that too. Just hope you guys don't mind stupid newb questions.

[sd45elect2000]

My reference was more "they didn't leave Baltimore".

Somewhere in my mess of a library I have an article from the B&OHS that talks about the operations around the harbor using those things. Apparently they were so under powered that they often needed helpers to get out of Mount Claire heading to Pratt St.

If I remember correctly a lot of that super tight trackage was switched using single truck electrics and horses until the tired switchers came along.

By single truck electrics I assume you mean battery electrics? I haven’t seen any trolley wire in the provided photos unless I’m missing it,, but there almost needs to be otherwise there would be no way to charge batteries.

I would use either tank engines or new fangled oil electrics. .

[sd45elect2000]

Great point Randy, I can add a small one over on the rear right module. As for the staging, see below. I have not designed that area yet but it will have a service facility as well.



As far as operations, I am really a lone wolf. There is only one other person in my area that I could invite since he is into N as well as RC planes at the same club as I belong. I did get a hold of a B-Man 0-4-0T this morning (B&O #98) and we shall see what I will do with it. I also got an Atlas 0-4-0 Shifter, 2 DCC Ready MILW VO-1000's that will get stripped and repainted and I'm watching another B-Man DCC loco to see where the price ends up. I have "0" experience in loco rebuilding and conversion so I guess I'm gunna get a crash course on that too. Just hope you guys don't mind stupid newb questions.

These might upgrade the older drives:
https://www.plazajapan.com/4957265140360/
https://www.plazajapan.com/2010010000820/
I did see a rod connected chassis for oil electric or electric also. In addition, there are several drives small enough for little boxcab oil electrics and a few different shells on Shapeways.

A lot of it is going to depend on the specific era you which wish to represent.

[wm3798]

Somewhere in my mess of a library I have an article from the B&OHS that talks about the operations around the harbor using those things. Apparently they were so under powered that they often needed helpers to get out of Mount Claire heading to Pratt St.

Heh.  An unusual case of Bachmann offering a truly prototypical engine in the 70s!