Any out there that are into a logging set-up, is your layout strictly logging 100%, I’m sure some of you have logging and other regular railroading combined, or one small area dedicated to a small logging operation, let us know if you are completely all lumber/logging related, could be interesting. I did see one layout that was all logging, but it was not very large.
My logging operation (the 762mm gauge Kashimoto Forestry Railway) will initially be a static display at Tomikawa, a source of traffic for the JNR and TTT. If I live long enough, it might be extended (via train elevator) to an upper level where I can represent part of the main line and some of the woods operations.
The prototype was an extensive system, with a main stem built to Class I standards (steel bridges, rock tunnels…) contrasted with temporary branches on trestlework seemingly built from slash picked up off the ground, some with the bark still on!
If I ever change scales (VERY unlikely) I would most probably go with the Kiso Forestry Railway (prototype of my KMT) in On30.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I am into logging/mining themes. There are a lot of supplies available, especially in O scale and Large Scale. My layout isn’t big (for Large Scale) but to me it’s quality not quantity. I chose Large Scale (indoor) because I have no patience working with the smaller scales and because of the many detail parts and supplies for logging that are available. The logging is on 45mm track while the mining/industrial is on 16.5mm track (Gn15).
on30: One of the reasons I like logging was the varience of equipment used in some smaller logging operations, they used a lot of cast-off railroad stock and/or made up their own from discarded older railways, as you can imagine there is a lot of strange looking equipment(mostly scratch) roaming around the layout, no engines match, seems every car is different, flat cars made from cut down boxcars, logging crew quarters from old passenger coaches, kitchen cars from cabooses, this operation is unlimited to one’s imagination and would be as original in equipment as the prototype. As you can see, any of you guys casting off old or odd cars keep me in constant supply of cars and parts at a very affordable price, I would also guess this keeps me from buying a brand new shay for the layout, this logging outfit cannot afford one and it would be out of place next to some of the other rather odd looking locomotives. One high end locomotive on other layouts would be the total budget for my entire operation( thanks to large economical sheets of styrene for buildings) I have a copy of Logging in the Northwest which is out of print and very valuable, I got it as a Library discard for $1.00 (Canadian) have fun ! !
I’m new to the hobby - but I’m going to try a logging set-up as first attempt. My grandfather was the boss of a logging operation that used trains in the late 30s through 40s, so that is the era I intend to model (woods operations to mill). I’m going to be working in N scale (just to make it a real challenge). Being new, does anyone have recommendations regarding where to locate rolling stock appropriate to the era?
A corner of our world will be logging, with a sawmill on a lower level. Our first layout was strictly timber related due to the limited space. Most of our reference materials are logging/railroad related.
We are modeling HO in the Pacific Northwest during the late 1940’s.
Sue
I must admit that a ON30 version of the Lake Tahoe Railway And Navigation Company would be the ideal layout, only two locomotives, half a dozen pieces of rolling stock or so and 100% lumber oriented, though when befallen by hard times,l SP saw fit to aquire the line in 1926, standard guaged it for the sole purpose of transporting tourist to the lake and surrounding area
Sure, there are a lot of us out there. Not everyone runs a “big boy” or strings of diesels …
I model logging (and a little mining) in the Sierras in the 1920’s on my Oakhurst Railroad. Shays and strings of log cars on steep grades with a job to do …
This is my log dumping and sawmill area …
and the roundhouse area …
My layout is a 2 level layout in a bedroom sized room with a helix connecting the levels.
http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n183/mkbradley_photos/
What are you planning?
Marty
Starting out? try abook, try “Logging by Rail” The B.C. Story a great book for details of logging, also there are many books on logging in specific areas of the U.S.(many, many books) these will give you great ideas on the actual logging operations. Oakhurst::: great photos, nice layout and thanks for the perfect picture of a helix, that photo explains a lot to me.
Great shots, Marty.[tup]
Sue
Chuck. What is a train elevator and how does it work?
GUB
My main theme is logging in the 21st century. I have logging, lumber mill, chipper, and papermill. I also have a couple of industries that support the papermill and others. My layout is in a 14x28 foot building in N-scale. I am modeling a portion of Alabama which has all these industries.
Craig
14x28 in N scale? yikes ! ! it must be immense, that is a very large layout, even in HO scale, I don’t think I have ever seen an N scale layout that large, must keep you busy, Now that’s a lot of trees.
my narrow gauge portion will be more a coal handler, but lumber will be a part of it. Kinda similar to the EBT, but using another true but abandoned 3 foot line feeding the N&W, I just never “abandoned” the line.
My very small layout will have a train elevator hidden in a mountain for two reasons. #1 The layout is too small to gain height by normal inclines or with a helix. #2 I like the looks of multiple levels, mountains, and trestles along with mountain waterfalls and streams.
One end of my layout will have a logging camp on the upper level, with a logging village below. The other end will have a gold mine and marble quarry on the side of a mountain. Connecting the two ends at the back of the layout will be a mountain with the train elevator hidden inside.
The main track on the bottom level will go through the mountain on it’s regular route. If I want the train to go to the mines or logging camp, it will go in the mountain, stop, and the the train elevator will carry it up to the second level, where it can exit the mountain in either direction to get to the logging camp or mines.
The lift mechanism for the elevator will be hand built to resemble a sissor jack car jack used to change tires. The sissor jack will be powered by an old motor out of a broken paper shredder.
I’m about 3 to 6 months away from begining construction of the elevator itself. Right now I’m building the mountain it will go in, as well as the other mountains.
I was directed to a web site (by previous postings) that showed a sissor jack elevator in use and the basic construction details. You should be able to research my former posts to find the site.
Woodlandtoots
My model railroad is based around steam logging in the early 1900’s. The logging show is freelance HOn30. The RR servicing it is real SP ( Klamath Falls Branch 1910).
Peter Smith, Memphis