Need Idea for Modeling

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am considering making a building and supply warehouse structure for my layout. I know that a building and supply warehouse would have loads of lumber being shipped loaded in or out by boxcar, bulkhead flatcar or center beam flatcar. It could also have sheetrock and drywall either loaded in or loaded out by boxcar. Does anyone have another any thoughts about commodity loads either in or out from a builidng and supply company that I have not mentioned?

Thank you for your time and suggestions.

2

Take a walk throught Home Depot or similar place and look at the shelves.

Electrical conduit

Plumbing/sewer pipe

Landscaping materials

Boxcars of all the misc stuff

3

As you state “warehouse,” it seems inbound rail traffic with truck distribution is plausible. No manufacturing?

  1. Roofing material of all types

  2. Concrete blocks, building and decorative stone, bricks

  3. Precast concrete items (stairsets, septic tanks, pipe, etc.)

  4. Large electric control boxes, transformers, reels of wire

  5. Large water distribution items (pipe, valves, pumps & hydrants)

  6. Plywood, particle board, waferboard, sheetrock of all grades

  7. HVAC supplies of all kinds.

Some of the above is stored INSIDE, while some is left OUTSIDE.

4

Also, with perhaps some era dependence, brick, bagged cement, fencing, and coal for retail sale.

5

Here is a list that may be of help:

6

Bob, what program are you using?

7

First, let me state a “BIG” thank you for the wonderful answers by your responses. WOW! Thank you so much.

Second, would all of the above products as inbound and outbound loads be transported by boxcars only? Or would there be other type of cars to carry some of these commodities?

8

Not an expert but think the era and product would determine the type of car used.

9

The program is one I am currently developing. What you saw is just a very small part of the entire application. PM me if you would like more info.

10

A software product with similar data is currently available from Shenware, called Waybills.

A large database of real-life incoming and outgoing shipments (which is incorporated in Waybills) is available free on the Operations SIG site at this link as text files.

Shenware offers a free reader, IndMan, for these industry files. Here’s an IndMan screen grab:

(I have no official connection to Shenware, just a Waybills customer and OpSIG member.)

11

Thnaks cuyama for the great information. I will peruse the link that you have provided for us. Thanks a million!