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 Posted - September 26 2016 : 9:22:23 PM
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My layout will still use a (modified, most likely) Kato Black River Junction, but I've made some important changes since my introduction. Since actual tracklaying won't come till after Christmas at the earliest, I figured I'd outline it here.
Setting: The setting has flipped from 70s to ~1955. I did this after I realized the only thing keeping me in the 70s/80s was the more modern companies. Speaking of whiiich....
Companies: Maryland Midland no longer features on the layout, since I don't have a good way to include it that isn't about really intrusive or badly integrated. Plus, it de-shackled me from the later setting. Also, I'm still using the power of handwavium to add in one company, CSX. Whether or not they'll be an adjacent mainline or just a train I switch in to play with every now and then is still unknown, but I'm a sucker for CSX and their motley crew of repainted stock. (There's just something about a Chessie System boxcar or Lousville & Nashville hopper with the big CSXT reporting marks that's... neat).
Switching: Still using a fiddle yard, but once I set up stuff in a fiddle yard I'll have a switcher roll into it, couple, pull it out onto the track, detach (read, me poke it with a stick), and then back onto a siding to let the main engine roll up.
Power: Walkersville Northern will still operate 2 Alco RS3s, but also an additional switcher, of which I don't yet know the model. Was going to use a Model 40, but I saw another engine in an issue of Model Railroader that I want to use.
Couplers: I was originally going to use hook couplers, but the local hobby shop having decent deals on kadee-equipped cars ($8), most of the engines I'm looking at having kadees, and just general future-proofing have led me to convert to kadees full on. (Note: the $8 cars with Kadees aren't kits or like boxed RTR, just random cars with kadees. Will move to kits once those run out).
Industries: Original industries included a coal mine, a paper mill, and a scrapyard. Space concerns nixed the coal mine, and the Grocery Warehouse featured in Model Railroader's "How To Build Realistic Layouts: Industries You Can Model" has kicked out the paper mill for boxcar-served industry. (The warehouse will be build from those DPM modular kits most likely, and I'll probably brand it for Safeway)
So there's all the modifications to the current plan. Funny how things evolve, isn't it? Can't imagine this started as a loop with a bunch of sidings, running a smorgasbord of companies. (It was originally Burlington Northern, Chessie System, and Rock Island in a color scheme from the 50s!).
sim-al2
Also since they cut track maintaince the trains had huge trouble making over the railroad by the end
純那
yeah
They did a Rock Island volountarily
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Posted - November 08 2016 : 9:00:54 PM
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Well, this post needs a lot of updating.
The layout itself might still use a modified Kato Black River Junction. Maybe. Now that I have some basic track on the table, it's set gears turning for a different idea more specifically tailor to my industry plans.
Industries
Richard's Wrecking Yard
Yeah I know "Wrecking Yard" is more of a British term (iirc), but I like the sound of it. A large yard, that will probably resemble a 60s or even 70s railroad scrapyard more than a 50s one. They'll be plenty of wooden and outside braced rolling stock, and some steamers, but I'd prefer a big yard full of cut up early diesels and electrics than rolling hills of steam reminiscent of the Barry Island Scrapyard. Service to it is handled by WKN 1, bring scrap in and on occasion taking chemical tankers out.
Reporting Mark: RWYX
Roster
RWY 1 - Plymouth Centercab
RWY 3 - Gondola - Boxcar cut up
RWY 4 - Flatcar
RWY 5 - 200-ton crane
Glade Chemical Works
A small chemicals plant near the scrapyard, served by rail. Receives chemicals from many places, including the scrapyard which sends their "waste" chemicals there for recycling. Service is handled by WKN 1, which brings in the occasional tank car from Richard's Wrecking Yard. This is the most likely to be ditched if space problems arise, which with only a 4x8 they very well might.
Reporting Mark: GCWX
Roster
GCWX 100 - Tank Car - 3 dome
GCWX 101 - Tank Car - 3 dome
GCWX 102 - Tank Car - 2 dome
Grocery Warehouse
Served by rail, this grocery warehouse intakes food products from boxcars and reefer cars. A two track loading area where cars are brought in is connected to the warehouse proper. Service is provided by WKN 2, bringing food primarily from local stations, with the occasional car from connected railroads.
The Railroad
Walkersville Northern
The main railroad! Serving the scrapyard, the grocery warehouse, and the chemical works, this busy shortline is my main focus. Crewed by Alcos and a small switcher, this little railroad sports a tiny roster of 3 locomotives, 2 bought brand new and one bought second hand. Also cataloged is a tiny yard slug, built from scrap.
Reporting Mark: WKN
Roster
WKN 1 - Alco RS-1 - ex-PRR 5628 (Picked this since I found a picture of it on the Pennsylvania, or I guess at this point Penn Central, scrap line in Altoona in 1969.)
WKN 2 - Alco RS-2 - Bought brand new after good experience with the first Alco locomotive
WKN 3 - 0-4-0 - Bought second hand in 1953, scrapped due to reliability problems 2/54
WKN 4 - Whitcomb 20-ton
WKN 5 - Yard Slug - Built from a scrap ex-industrial Plymouth locomotive
WKN 100 - Gondola - 40-foot, high side
WKN 101 - Boxcar - 40-foot
WKN 102 - Refrigerated Boxcar - 40-foot
WKN 103 - Refrigerated Boxcar - 40-foot
WKN 104 - Boxcar - 40 foot
WKN 105 - Boxcar - 40 foot
WKN 106 - Refrigerated Boxcar - 40 foot
WKN 107 - Caboose - Bay window
WKN 108 - Caboose - Bay window
WKN 1000 - Side Dump - MofW
WKN 1001 - Boxcar - MofW, Outside braced
WKN 1002 - Gondola - MofW, Outside braced
Interchange!
The railroad will interchange with the Pennsylvania and Baltimore & Ohio railroads, through the York, Hanover, and Frederick Railway Company and the Frederick Branch respectively. The railroads primarily bring in scrap loads, old locomotives, damaged stock, just general unneeded garbage.
Switching!
Featuring a proper yard, switching will be handled by the WKN 4 and WKN 5 combo of Whitcomb 20-ton and yard slug. Might introduce a PRR 44-ton as a helper locomotive, if the scrap loads get too heavy for the little critters.
sim-al2
Also since they cut track maintaince the trains had huge trouble making over the railroad by the end
純那
yeah
They did a Rock Island volountarily
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Posted - November 09 2016 : 10:33:39 AM
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Sounds like an ambitious and comprehensive scheme going up,
Pokemon. I would enjoy seeing some photos of any aspect of
its construction.
I got into the Kadee craze some years ago, rather felt like I
had to in order to be taken seriously. It was a nightmare of tedious
springs flying over my head and hours trying to get the coupler
heights just right and sticky lateral movement.
All my colleagues insist on colleagues insist on Kadees, and I watch
in bemusement, during open house exhibitions particularly, as their
trains uncouple and derail over dropped couplers routinely.
Just my small, personal opinion and style. I like your "poking
with a stick."
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Posted - November 09 2016 : 4:32:55 PM
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I would post pictures but it's currently just a loop w/ a siding that I set up to run a train in circles. While I understand the fact that Kadees can be finicky, since I'm running fairly short trains (maybe 6-8 cars) over a flat surface (either completely flat or very gentile inclines), I'm going to stick with Kadees. I've heard installation can be hell, but most of the stuff I buy comes with kadees (or clones) and is still pretty cheap. They run about $8 at the local hobby shop, I've gotten them as cheap as $3 (thanks Chevelle454!), and I haven't visited the local train show yet, which is where I plan to stock up.
sim-al2
Also since they cut track maintaince the trains had huge trouble making over the railroad by the end
純那
yeah
They did a Rock Island volountarily
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Posted - January 23 2017 : 5:20:40 PM
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Okay, let's update this post again. This will mostly be a roster update, and I should also note the date has become a bit more "floaty" from 1955-1966. Mostly just to shoehorn in some diesel scrap.
Walkersville Northern (Reporting mark: WKN)
Locomotives (100 Series)
Alco RS-1 - WKN 100
Alco RS-1 - WKN 101
Whitcomb 20 ton - WKN 102
Plymouth Slug - WKN 103 - Deadline storage
Whitcomb 50 ton - WKN 104
Boxcars (200 Series)
Outside Braced - WKN 200
Outside Braced - WKN 201
Double Sheathed - WKN 202
Outside Braced - WKN 203
Outside Braced - WKN 204
Outside Braced - WKN 205
Hoppers (300 Series)
2-Bay - WKN 301 - ex-RDG
3-Bay - WKN 302 - Deadline
3-Bay - WKN 303 - Deadline
Refrigerated Boxcars (400 Series)
Wood-side/end 40" - WKN 400
Wood-side/end 40" - WKN 401
Wood-side/end 40" - WKN 402
Wood-side/end 40" - WKN 403
Wood-side/end 40" - WKN 404
Wood-side/end 40" - WKN 405
Wood-side/end 40" - WKN 406
Gondolas (500 Series)
Steel, Medium Sides - WKN 501
Steel, Medium Sides - WKN 502
Flatcars (600 Series)
40-foot - WKN 600 - Deadline
Cabeese (700 Series)
Bay Window - WKN 700
Bay Window - WKN 701
Bay Window - WKN 702
Frederick Recycling Company (Reporting mark: FRCX) (This is the replacement for the Glade Chemical Works)
Locomotives
GE 23 ton Boxcab - FRCX 23
Tank Cars (30 Series)
3-dome - FRCX 30
3-dome - FRCX 31
Boxcars
Double Sheathed - FRCX 36
Richard's Wrecking Yard (Reporting Mark: RWYX)
Locomotives
GE 44-ton - RWYX 100 - Leaser
Plymouth MDT - RWYX 101 - Leaser
Plymouth ML-8 - RWYX 102 - Leaser
EMD Model 40 - RWYX 103 - Leaser
These will be modeled as I can pick them up, they're not a primary objective.
Also, updates to the track plan. The scrapyard will gain another track, for more locomotive storage. One or two more sidings (space dependent) are being added for 2 small industries, a soda bottling plant and a small ice cream factory. The yard curves up next to the main line, and slots in below the recycling plant with 3 tracks.
sim-al2
Also since they cut track maintaince the trains had huge trouble making over the railroad by the end
純那
yeah
They did a Rock Island volountarily
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Posted - January 23 2017 : 6:54:20 PM
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don't forget railroad crossings, tunnels & bridges 
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Posted - January 23 2017 : 8:50:08 PM
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I've briefly considered adding in a tunnel or bridge, but haven't had a real place for it. This is a very industrial layout, and the industries take just of a bit of a precedent over the towns, so road crossings will be a bridge I cross when I get there.
sim-al2
Also since they cut track maintaince the trains had huge trouble making over the railroad by the end
純那
yeah
They did a Rock Island volountarily
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Posted - January 24 2017 : 10:15:01 AM
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| I like bridges, too. They are challenging to fit, like you say.
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Posted - February 08 2017 : 7:43:14 PM
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Different sidings will be condensed, definitely keep scrapyard sidings and ex-coal dealer deadline. Food warehouse might be switched for soda bottling plant, or if possible have both. Two units will also be added to the roster
WKN 105 - NW2 - Bought used from the B&O, WKN 105 is an ex-Pere Marquette switcher brought in for heavier duty due to problems with the first "heavy duty" switcher, WKN 104, a Whitcomb 50-ton. WKN 104 is sidelined as it was a heavily-worn ex-industrial unit and due to the declining state of Whitcomb's parent, the Baldwin Locomotive Works, sourcing good quality parts has become a near impossible venture.
WKN 106 - GP9 - A brand new EMD unit, WKN 106 assists heavy scrap freights and is also used when WKN 100, the oldest of the railroad's 2 RS-1s, goes out of service for maintenance
sim-al2
Also since they cut track maintaince the trains had huge trouble making over the railroad by the end
純那
yeah
They did a Rock Island volountarily
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Last Visit: March 14 2019
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Posted - February 09 2017 : 06:31:28 AM
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Rock on! Now that I think of it, the great, late, Dave Frary did
a magnificent layout in about 4x8, bent to fit, of industrial. It
incorporated a harbor, I recall, and it was astonishing how he
worked in bridges so they looked completely natural.
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Posted - February 09 2017 : 07:04:43 AM
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I'll have to look at that Chops, sounds like great inspiration.
sim-al2
Also since they cut track maintaince the trains had huge trouble making over the railroad by the end
純那
yeah
They did a Rock Island volountarily
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Posts: 283 ~
Member Since: August 22 2016 ~
Last Visit: March 14 2019
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