I got curious about one of the layouts - Corydon, Indiana. Original poster of that layout proposal mentioned that Corydon had an interesting small 4-track yard (which he had not modelled) with a engine barn and a depot, among some local industries.
So I went to look at the prototype on maps.live.com: http://tinyurl.com/23tmp6 (right click, chose “open in new window” to spin off as separate browser window - at least in IE - scroll right to see more of prototype).
Looks more like a pretty good starting point for a small industry LDE. I wonder if this little yard/depot/engine house could be modelled okay in 2x8 feet without totally dominating the whole 2x8 module ?
Would something like this work for a 2x8 end of branchline module - connecting to the rest of the layout on the right (labelled “east to Corydon Junction”) ?
Anyone else have suggestions for improvements or changes to improve operations or make it more like the prototype ?
A few years back my layout was Corydon Indiana to Corydon JCT. based in 1952 ,. My layout included the 4 track yard and engine terminal , I also modeled the branch line that forded the river to a quarry . I had planned to update the layout to the 1980’s and include the industrial park and the scenic railroad operations , but a move to a new house with less room killed that plan , but some day I plan to try again . The railroad has alot of potential , for many years their lone diesel a 44 ton switcher swithched 86 foot auto parts box cars . A real case of the little engine that could . As business grew the railroad added some Alco engines , s-2 , rs11 and a sw7 painted for the GTW and RDC’s used for the tourist line .
The scenery in that part of Indiana is very hilly and the railroad is a steady grade up to Corydon JCT . and follows the valley that Indian creek runs through .
I wasn’t able to locate the quarry, but I have been looking all over overhead pix of this railroad on http://maps.live.com/, switching back and forth between road view (map view) and hybrid view (overhead pix with road names superimposed on terrain pix).
Is the branch line you are referring to above the track that goes south on the east side of Indiana 135 from roughly the junction of Indiana 135 and old Indiana 135 ?
Closeup overhead pix: http://tinyurl.com/2cua8p (all links - right click and chose “open in new window” in your browser to spin off a second window showing the overhead pictures I am referring to).
Just south of the branchline junction, the branchline south crosses Sky park Drive NE at grade. There is some kind of industry between the track and Indiana 135 here:
Doesn’t appear to be a siding for this industry - at least not now ? Trucks parked west of track in a place where there may at some stage have been a double ended siding.
Then the track appears to cross Interstate 64 (even number, so the interstate goes east-west) on a single track curved bridge bridge and run south along Landmark Avenue, through a wooded area.
Roughly across from Federal Drive there appears to be a trailing spur (when coming south) curving east to an industry of some kind: http://tinyurl.com/3c8jjq
South of that industry the track appears to continue in a curve
I am glad you found this little railroad as interesting as I have .
You mentioned the river crossing , this one is a bridge , the non bridge river crossing is further south . The Quarry has been closed at least 60 years , . The last time I was there a few years back the tracks were still in place but nearly over grown , I could not see them from the satalite images .
But South of the bridge is the Furniture plant on my design . Most of the industrial park north of there is also where the new yard and engine terminal is . The old engine house by the station is used to store the 44 tonner " Betty Sue " and a fully restored wooden caboose . The railroads office is still in the old station there on Water Street .
I’ll have to look but I do believe I still have a few photos of my old layout , if I can find them I will post them.
On another note both Atlas and Athaern have produced LNAC boxcars .
As the masthead on National Geographic Magazine says (or at least used to say, IIRC), I am interested in “The world and everything in it” [:)] There are very few things that are dull when I dig a little into them.
But yes - I do find Corydon interesting as prototype inspiration for several kinds of LDEs - especially industry parks and the interchange.
I tried to look for traces of a quarry south of the river, but couldn’t see anything obvious. Whereabouts would this crossing be, roughly ?
Mmm - where is the station and the old engine house - just south of the furniture plant, on Water Street ? Which building is the old engine house and old station ?
I would love to see some pictures from your old layout.
