I need to think of several industries to put on my CSX Southern Division layout. Do you have any ideas?
My BNSF will have several. The basic design is a 20’ folded dogbone, so my industries will be ‘along the line’. I’ve already sompleted the smaller end-loop; which is in a large forest; I have a sawmill there with a siding for two centerbeam flatcars. I am working on the main industrial section now. It will have a small oil refinery with a filling station for tank cars as well as storage tanks. Near by I will have several ‘brick curtain’ type factory buildings, these are good for any type of industry—mine will be paper (wood to pulp from the sawmill). Walthers’ 'Superior Paper Co." is an excellent kit, though a litttle large. It can represent any industry from paper to power.
I assume that you’re doing a modern time period, and I’d also suggest intermodal. I’m trying to basically have as many of my favorite industries as I can reasonably fit. Intermodal is great as there is alot of action. I’m having a small terminal with a crane.
First though, size up your layout. Stack trains, and especially 89’ flatcars need wide curves. I rather ignore this in certain areas., but for this I sacrifice realism, as those cars OVERHANG like no other. My layout’s design though is mostly straight, because I just couldnt live without having and intermodal consist. So if you can manage it, I definitely suggest an intermodal terminal.
Other than that, I will have a downtown district, which will have some small industry like a lumberyard and a produce market. I will also have a military base. I highly rescommend “Superior Paper Co.” and “George Roberts Printing Co.” by Walthers as far as structures go. They present many interesting combinations; and are going to be fun to switch. Hope this helps. Good luck!
CSXGUY,
Take a look at this website: http://www.geocities.com/scotm2_50158/CGWDIR.htm
It’s a list of industries along the CGW in 1957. It shows the name of the industry and what was shipped in and out. Lots of good, prototypical ideas.
jcopilot
A company used to scrap old railcars in my hometown.Their only equipment was actylene torches and a self propelled crane to put the scrap into gondolas.I am going to have a Repair In Place track on my layout,so any type of car on my railroad could be sent there.
One of my favorites is a Team Track. Almost every town has one, and they’re real easy to model.
All you really need is a 10 to 20 foot wide platform, made of concrete or timber, about boxcar-floor high next to the track, with one end that ramps down to ground level. The other end should be squared off, although I’m sure you could find some with ramps at both ends.
Pretty much any kind of car can be spotted there, carrying nearly any kind of load. Cargos were offloaded by hand or by machines (forklifts, portable pumps for liquids, and such). The ramp can be placed next to pretty much any siding, be it stub-ended or not, and poof! Instant versatile industry!
CSXGuy,
Easy Rule of Thumb:
Base it on the type of freight cars you like to see used most often!
Here’s a few ideas.
If you like running plenty of boxcars think of getting a warehouse, furniture company or freight house.
Refrigerated Cars (Reefers): Frozen Juice company, Dairy company, Frozen Foods co.
Covered Hoppers and Centerflow hoppers? Feed Mills, Cement plant, Dry Chemical plant, Wheat and Grain Silos.
Flat Cars: Lumber Yard, Machining company, Tractor Dealership, Construction Machine Dealer, Boat company.
Gondolas: Scrap yard, Steel Mill, Cable and Wire manufacturer.
Use various industries so that you can use a variety of freight cars, but have 2 or more industries that utilize your favorite cars the most. Since I like Boxcars the most I plan on having at least one warehouse and a furniture company. I like flatcars the least but I still plan on having a lumberyard to utilize my flats.
Hope this helps!
Peace.
Search for “Industries” (all one word) or “Industry” on the forum search and you will find alot.
Edited to include some links to related past threads (wow where has time gone?)
Operations Ideas
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=7610&REPLY_ID=48735#48735
Newbie Question -Cattle
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=7669&REPLY_ID=47629#47629
Alternative uses walthers peir ternimal
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=7170&REPLY_ID=47199#47199
Covered Hopper Types and uses
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=9027&REPLY_ID=59209#59209
Modern Military information re rail
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=5892&REPLY_ID=50520#50520
North Eastern Industry
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=9920&REPLY_ID=67595#67595
Favorite Industry?
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=9590&REPLY_ID=65856#65856
Information on WW2 Train Consist (Military Train video from Archives is here)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=9346&REPLY_ID=63093#63093
1920’s industry information
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=11066&REPLY_ID=85568#85568
I assume you live in the area. If so drive around and make a mental note of the industries you see. Then duplicate the ones you liked the best.
Thanks, guys!!! I am finding your advice very helpful. I do live in Peachtree City area and a CSX train goes by every 20 minutes. Keep your advice coming.
Warehouses/freight transfers and team tracks give you maximum versatility. You can have virtually any car spotted on these industries.
Another great idea is to have a nice factory structure with an ambiguous name (I have one named Cobb & Wingett Mfg) that isn’t officially designated for a particular kind of production. If you want to be one type for one operating session, and something else on the next session, you can.
Here’s a couple ideas . . .