Hi All
On Walther website (http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/rail_shops_modeling) there is an article about modelling a Rail Shop. I hope to build the layout shown but I am looking for ideas to expand operations to allow me to bring cars into the yard by using the track at the front of the layout
Thanks
John A
I am building a new layout myself with a large classification yard in it, within the classification yard is an engine shop, service tracks for coal and water and sand as well as tracks for servicing diesels. Also I have couple of tracks for servicing passenger cars which include a car scrubber to clean the outside of the cars and a commensary to replentish the diners as well as replace soiled linens from the pullmans. Also I have a spur line coming off the classification yard to a rolling mill. B&O had one of these in WV and I used it as a guide to show wnother reason for industry and activity in the yard. Just a few ideas of what you could use to add a reason for the trackage.
SteamDemon
John,
First off let me welcome you to the forum glad to have you here. Just for your information that module depicted in the Walthers catalog is more a way for them to showcase their models then an actual prototype situation. If you want to get an idea of how a prototypical servicing facility situation would be arraigned with trackage layouts etc. a good reference book in my o/p is Model Railroaders “The Model Railroaders Guide to Locomotive Servicing Terminals” by Marty McGuirk a very well written informative book with plenty of pictures and how to information. He illustrates the differences between steam & diesel operations and the placement of what should go where and why on tracks with in the yard.
A scene such as depicted in the Walthers module would have been part of a rather large facility servicing both passenger cars and major locomotive repairs such as what would be done in the "railroad shop or “back shop” as it was more commonly called. a place where major overhauls would have been done. Tracks would be on the other side the car shop so they could be brought in via those tracks but working strictly with what they show there it can’t be done so more trackage would be needed a track leading to the transfer table on either or both sides would be the likely scenario.
Now not claiming to be an expert an only going by pictures that i have seen it would be doubtful that passenger cars and locomotives would have not been repaired in as close a proximity as shown in the module. Just for what it’s worth sounds like a nice project to model but don’t rely on Walthers as your only source of reference, they are in the business to sell models and are not railroad authorities.
Thanks for the welcome and advice folks. I will order the book tomorrow, however I may reduce operations to freight only cars but still kep the transfer table and repair shed. That way I could build a small shelf layout.
John
John,
I have found that usually one’s first idea is the best idea. I have a transfer table that i purchased but have not yet installed that i bought from Walthers when it was on sale for $200, basically i can’t refuse a bargain…lol How ever in my defense I’ve been doing a lot of research on the use of transfer table in servicing facilities and found that they were primarily used in locations where passenger coaches and locomotives for the most part diesel locomotives were serviced. Passenger coaches required a lot more TLC shall we say then freight cars. Interior work, a body shop of sorts to repair or replace damaged exterior sheet metal, cabinet shops,upholstery shops and so on. Same goes with diesel locomotive repairs. One bay may have been dedicated to gen set repair or power units (diesel engine it self) power trucks, paint shop etc. so the use of a table to move equipment from shop to shop IE: bay to bay by the use of a transfer table would have been warranted. Now I am not an expert but form the research I have done and seen in person the transfer table has been pretty much replaced by traveling over head gantry cranes large enough to pick up a locomotive and move it while suspended through the air form area to area in the shop. I saw this first hand when I was lucky enough to visit the Bailey Yard out in North Platte while employed with a company that made replacement diesel engine components. Something truly incredible to see a gigantic six axle road diesel being moved through the air like we would pick up one of our models and move it from track to track.
Freight cars are the ugly ducklings so to speak of the railroad industry always have been and i guess always will be. For the most part railroads never cared too much what they looked like or if they were clean or not as long as the ran and hauled the freight Revenue service is what brings in the money for a railroad not passenger lines which are typically more demanding then freight companies. So freigh
Yep. I had been thinking that myself. I may keep to the original plan but still would like to know what size I need for the baseboard.[:)]
John
a couple of things come to mind as far as figuring out what size module you will be needing. Obviously the bigger the better but we all have to live with space constraints at leas to some extent. There are some free track planning programs such as Atlas Right Track Software but I don’t know how helpful it will be in your situation but it’s a free program so what do you have to loose but some time. Another way of planning it is the way many modelers I’ve known have used and it works well and is cheap. Get a large roll of butcher paper and roll out as long of a piece as your area will allow. Now find all the structures you want in the Walthers catalog or on line. One very helpful thing Walthers does is give you foot print dimensions so you can cut out a cardboard template of each structure including your transfer table and place them in a configuration the same as or similar to what they show in the catalog picture. When your satisfied with the placement of the structures. you can take a few pieces of flex track and use them as drawing templates or just free hand it some what with a pencil to give you a rough idea as to how large of an area you will need.
Is this going to be a stand alone module or part of a larger layout? in either case you’ll have to work with in the layout space you have available in your basement spare bedroom garage or where ever your train room is.