Ramal do Montijo, Portuguese Railways

[luis_lopes]

Hi all.

Yet another project 

Although I don't have any rolling stock in N scale, this last show I attended made me want to build something, in portuguese H0.

So, I started to collect info, using Google Earth, and some lost bits of info here and there, and here I am.

So, Montijo is a small town to the south of Lisbon.



Up until 1987, Montijo was served by a branchline (Ramal is a portuguese word for branchline), and its main purpose was passenger service, cork and cereal transportation.

With this in mind, started to think about building a small layout that I could fit almost 300 metres represented in 2 metres.

Here, David K. Smith was a big help, and I can't thank him enough. He was able to draw a track plan that amazed every portuguese friend I have that is into model railroading.



David, even being on the other side of the Atlantic, and not knowing anything about Portuguese Railways made a fantastic job.

So, here I am again, starting a new project.

Well, and what about my American N scale layout? I think I'll start to lay down the track as soon as I get my AMTRAK Superliners.... but these days are so much hot - we are having 42ºC to 48ºC.

Here we go!...

[luis_lopes]

The rolling stock:

A diesel railcar that has to be scratchbuilt:


This is a CP class 1200, that I need to get the PIKO SNCFBB6300 model to paint


This little guy must be chopped from a Bachmann 44-tonner.


A KATO RCS-2 will give life to this one


For cars I can get enough, without any problem...

[Philip H]

This should be a very nice little switching layout.  The railcar build will be fun to watch.  Any shots of the buildings you plan to use?

[luis_lopes]

Yeap.

Here they are:

the station, very tipical


the station with the railcar - this was the last trip


These photos were made in 2003



the warehouse:



Aerial view:


You can check the place by searching the address "Rua da Estação, Montijo" in Google Maps ou Bing Maps.

Cheers.

[Philip H]

NIce.  Are there kits available in HO that you can use, or will they be scratchbuilt as well?

[luis_lopes]

Everything must be scratchbuilt.

That is one of the reasons I want to try this: I want to see How far I can go.

[GaryHinshaw]

Very nice little plan and concept, which I'm sure you'll work your magic on, but will you be able to operate anything on it?  The switching lead is very short, and there is no runaround.  If you main goal is a diorama, then please ignore my comment.

-Gary

[DKS]

Very nice little plan and concept, which I'm sure you'll work your magic on, but will you be able to operate anything on it?  The switching lead is very short, and there is no runaround.

There will be a little staging yard/cassette attached to the right end. I'm also tweaking the plan to possibly incorporate a runaround. I've given Luís four variations from which to choose, so stand by for an update from him.

[GaryHinshaw]

I thought that was the case: the lead begs to be extended as you indicate.

-gfh