Am I nuts???? (well, the short answer is yes, but...)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

OK, so I’ve gotten the craziest idea in my head. Back in the May 2007 MR, there was a great article about modeling a juice distribution center in New Jersey. There weren’t any pictures of a model (it wasn’t about a model, but how you could plan it), but several good pictures of the prototype and a few plans of how to sorta model it, but not completely like it was.

so why am I making this post, you might ask? Well, my parents wille tiher be A) renovating the attic for my new bedroom (yes, I am a teenager, not some 40 year old living w/ his parents), or B) I’ll move into the bonus room. If A happens, that I’ll just keep modeling my current layout. But if B happens, I really don’t want to move my 4x8 layout in there. I’ve been thinking about my dream alyout (which I will not be able to build, that isn’t the point of this thread), and one of the scenes on it will be a juice distribution center. So now, I got this idea: What if I get the bonus room, and to have a layout there, I build myself the juice distribution center, and when I can build my dream layout, incorporate it into that? I still will also be modeling on my 4x8 layout as well, and I have tor un this idea by my parents, but still.

So, naturally, step 1 is benchwork, step 2 is get track, step 3 is lay/wire track, step 4 is either build building or ballast yard, step 5 is w/e I did 2nd in step 4, step 6 acquire 25-30 reefers, step 7, get two CSX 6 axle locos, step 8 details, step 9, enjoy.

The building would only be modeled on the rail side, not the truck side, and will msotly be a background flat, ecept for where it comes out for the indoor tracks. I still have to draw up my plan, but I sketched it out in Algebra today.

So, my questions:

A) what do you think?

B) anyone out there who is doing something similar?

Thanks for your input on my crazy idea! [:D]

2

It sounds like the juice distribution center would fit nicely on a shelf say 12"-24" wide with a couple of tracks etc. You might be able to incorporate your 4 x 8 layout with it. Take a look at the “Turtle Creek Central” plan that was a 4 x 8 that later added an branch line extension. MR’s “Jerome and Southwestern” plan from the 80’s was similar, a 4 x 8 with an shelf extension.

You could use the two together now, and later incorporate the juice center into a larger layout

3

Well put. However, this thing will most likely end up being 6-8 ft. long, and will have around maybe 25 or so reefers in the yard. It won’t be a small industry. Also, While I could do that, I already have all the back story for my 4x8 done, and the extension for that will eventually be an ethanol plant. Also, they would be in two seperate rooms. You do give an interesting point though.

4

I personally wouldn’t like that type of industry, it would be very boring in my opinion. Pull a cut of 10 reefers, shove 10 reefers into a track. Wait 8 hours. Pull 10 reefers, set them into the yard. Pull 10 new reefers out of the yard, shove 10 reefers into the track. Wait 16 hours. Pull 10 reefers out of the track, set them into the yard,…

Pretty much any thing that travels in a unit train doesn’t interest me. But I realize other people find it fascinating for some reason. To each his own.

5

Well, the article said that they used to not block them, so you might have to dig into a long string of reefers to find one or two cars that you need. And with a three track yard, that’s probably easier typed than done. The author also said they did start blocking the train, but who says that I can’t say they haven’t started blocking it yet [:-^] Also, on of the indoor docks has an express dock in front of it, so you might have to pull cars off of there to spot cars inside. It mgiht get boring after a while, but it would be better than nothing.

6

You have it out of order…

Step #1 - Research types of loads in and out of the plant
Step #2 - More Research
Step #3 - Planning the track layout
Step #4 - Drawing the track layout
Step #5 - Revise the track layout
Step #6 - Use the track layout to develop an operational plan
Step #7 - Revise the track plan when the operational plan uncovers problems with the track plan
Step #8 - Build benchwork and start laying roadbed and track

Don Z.

7

Whatever order you do it in, unless your dad is also a train nut, build it Modularly, so you can easily take it down when the time comes. Your a teenager, that time WILL come, college, marraige, whatever, time will come in a few sooner than you think years to dismantle the beatsy and move it or store it away for a while. Planning ahead for that inevitability will save you tons of grief trying to dismantle a large built-in layout.

8

Don, I was talking about how I would actually BUILD the dern thing. I have the operational scheme worked out in my mind (a unit train comes on Saturday and drops off the reefers. There is no work Sunday, and then Monday, we begin the task of swapping out reefers, which I will at some point create a list of which reefer to move where once I can actually run trains on the thing and know what the numbers on the reefers are. Then Saturday, the unit train will show up and drop off another set of reefers will removing the other ones, and the whole cycle repeats). As to loads in and out, I’ll be going off the article, which said that the loads in and out are juices (doesn’t really matter what kind, they mostly will be in reefers, but there will be a few insulated boxcars w/ non-cold storage loads (yes, there will be a spur for these). The article also has a few pics of the buildings, and a diagram of it. I can then google it and find more pictures to base my building off of. As to the track plan, like I said, have a sketch, and will work with that in RTS8.0.

I don’t even know if I will build this, it all depends what happens this spring. Between now and then, i will have time to

9

Yes.

10

Well, he had Lionel trains as a kid, but I don’t think he’s a train nut (I’m the only one in my house).Building it modularly will also allow me to more easily take it to shows. And it wouldn’t be to difficult to build it like that either, because the only structure on the layout will be the distributor building, and even that is just a flat basically. I was going to have it movable from the get-go. Thanks for giving the suggestion of a modular layout, it doesn’t sound to difficult (except for ballasting [:D]), and it would also be a cool thing to do (my dad is good with wood).

11

I even [removed] admit to my friends at school I’m nuts, lol. Really, it’s all a joke. However, yes, I am nuts, and I sure as heck ain’t about to stop being nuts.

12

Or “sectionally,” which implies the ability to take it down and move it.

A “module” has consistent standards and can be mixed and matched (like the Beer Line project layout or N-Trak).

13

Take a look at this benchwork idea I came up with a while ago (you probably remember it) for a friend, which might work for you…

This is the base. It has the surface (plywood, if you want foam it will go on top of this) that is 7 (or 8, or however long your layout is) by 1 1/2 feet deep. If you want 2’ deep, that’s fine too, you’ll just have to adjust the dimensions. This base has 2-by-4s screwed to the bottom. The one in back is flush with the back of the layout surface, and the front one is set two inches back from the front surface. Each end of the 2x4 ends two inches away from the ends of the layout board. The back one has eight holes drilled in it, shown in the illustration. The layout is the same on both ends. The front one has four holes, also shown in the illustration.

The backdrop will attach to the back, bolted onto four of the holes. It will have holes matching up with all eight holes in the 2x4s, but only four (the inside two on each end) will have bolts in them. The bolts attach with the nut end inside the benchwork.

14

Well, I really just want this so I can have a layout there, and it will be pretty cheap (except for the cars [:D] N scale reefers aren’t cheap).

As to switching it, I’ve never tried operations, so I won’t worry to much about that. Also, I was thinking I’d probably get three or four 2 feet long by however wide I want it to be modules that have foldable legs and such (I think there’s a article or two on it in MR, I know there’s one in GMR or something. i also remember an article on Domino benchwork that I’ve got). As to weather it would be boring or not, oh well, I’ll cross that hurdle when get to it. Like I said, this also won’t be my only layout (still gunna have my 4x8), and it’ll fit nicely onto the side wall of the room. Now to finally draw my plan up!

15

You have offended me and most of the older guys (who live like me) on this forum. Just because I’m 43 and live in the basement of my parents house and have no job, no life or no girlfriend does not give you the right to make fun of me. All I have are my choo choo’s. They’re my friends…I’ve even given them names. Would you like to hear them?

16

You’re not nuts… You’re condiments…[:D]

17

OK, sorry if I offended anyone, that was supposed to be a joke, for pete’s sake.

Well, anyways, looking at the plans in the article, I’ve come up with mine (neither had a drill track or yard lead, but I want one, so I can at some point make something to run around it and have continous running, and still be able to work the industry). I managed to make it less than a foot wide, so I might end up creating something for the other side of it if I make the module 2 feet wide (which will probably add stability). So here’s the plan (everything marked):

18

Uh, this isn’t exactly one of those things that you can worry about “later” IMHO… It’s like building your benchwork out of cardboard then deciding “I’ll cross that hurdle when my benchwork collapses!”

Okay, it’s not that drastic, because you’ll only be left with a layout you’re bored with, not a heap of destroyed models on the floor. But still…

Just my [2c]

19

you’re right, it’s not that drastic. And absolute worst comes to worst, I take the skills I learn by scratchbuilding the jdc (juice distribution center, I’m sick of typing that) building, and also get to have some fun building a modular (or sectional, w/e, same diff really) layout., and have soemthing to show off models in my room, and test them on.

20

I’m surprised at the room for discoursing this ideal.

I’m not familiar with the article, ill have to look at it tomorrow at the club.

I’m thinking juice comes in as bulk repackaged and sent to stores,or back out on refers to other parts of the country.

this way u could have packaging items coming in so u could have tankers,box cars,etc.

the only thing that worried me was he skied it out during algebra class[V]…guess thats better then what i did in English class[zzz]… that might explains the poor structure of my posts[:-^]

and being a teenager you may be moving out sooner or later and making it modeler you could always add on th incorporate,other thing as Ur RR grows

my[2c][2c] (can i get some change)

Dan