Housatonic track plan

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi all,

I am looking for input on a track plan that was published in MR. It was the Housatonic RR designed by Mike Tylick. I have the plan and am considering building it and wondered if it offers a lot of operations potential? I am pretty much a lone wolf modeler and I am wanting to model a New England railroad and this one seems to be the perfect candidate for someone that is looking for a smaller railroad and one that would support a single operator nicely. Any opinions on the plan are appreciated. You can find it in the track plan database if you do not have it handy.

2

If the Housatonic doesn’t work out for you, I have a 10x14 “Rutland” inspired layout plan.

3

I have about 48 linear feet of wall to use in a use configuration. I’d be interested in seeing your Rutland plan if you don’t mind. I am not partial to any railroad so I am really just looking to building something that is interesting scenically and offers enough operating potential to keep me busy for a couple hours.

4

If you’re interested in the Housatonic RR have you seen Craig Bisgeier’s Hosatonic web site?

Well worth a visit if you’ve not been there already.

Regards,

Charlie Comstock

5

I think there has only been one commercial locomotive (an ALCo RS-3?) But Decals are available to do any of their locos, (GP-35 & RS-3). The same is true of the Rutland.

6

I really like that track plan. I have it tacked up on the wall of my cube along with a few others as to serve as example when thinking about the track plan for my next layout.

I always thought it wants to be opened up a bit so the curves cold be expanded and the aisles widened.

I have not done any real op sessions so I can’t really answer to your question directly, other then to say that I think the staging needs to be looked at closely… not sure the lower staging would really work as drawn.

Mostly I just wanted to say “Yeah, I like that one too!”.

I saw a very smartly done Housatoic N-scale loco at a hobby shop last year, I think it was an Atlas GP-35.

Regards,

Chris

Great site… almost makes me want to switch to steam. Almost.

7

Charlie,

I have been to Craig’s site many times but that is a bit older timeframe than I was planning for. He does have a wealth of info though. I am planning on the modern day Housy from Canaan, CT to Pittfield, MA

8

I am thinking HO for the layout so undecorated units should be relatively easy to get and i can paint them myself.

9

Another NE local RR is the Providence & Worcester. It operates between Providence and North Adams Mass I believe. Think they are runnining SD-70’s. Google it, they have a website with maps. It may interest you?

Jules