Question regarding layout waterfront population

[Lemosteam]

Hi all, looking for feedback up front on the LIRR IS. The front edge of the layout is mostly waterfront, with a canal spitting it’s center. At the breakwater, I have two businesses that deliver to barges. The left biz will fill the barge from the track using a rail mounted steam shovel. The right will use a more modern machine.

I purchase two barges, and have always wanted a tug boat, so below is my potential placement.

I am trying to determine placement so I can spot them before I finish the water. The water that is there is being completed so I can finish the the canal bridges, and proceed with more detailing on the front of the layout.

What do you think, is it too busy?

[Philip H]

Most of the piers I work around place boats by size of vessel (including draft), shore side services required (like fuel or power) and strength of the pier moorage appliances (like bollards etc). Beyond that, it's up to the harbormaster.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It's not a direct answer, but I have always enjoyed this channel and might be some interesting viewing for anyone interested:

https://www.youtube.com/user/TimBatSea

Tim is a tug boat captain who worked the New York Harbor and is now doing a stint in the Caribbean. Really interesting stuff!

[Lemosteam]

Most of the piers I work around place boats by size of vessel (including draft), shore side services required (like fuel or power) and strength of the pier moorage appliances (like bollards etc). Beyond that, it's up to the harbormaster.

Yes, I realize I need mooring posts, etc. for them to moor to. The barges are not motorized, just pushed, but you give me an idea for the far end of the waterfront…

Really just looking to see if you think the immediate water area is too “busy” with all these vessels or not. I like that they are low and should not block the goings on behind them.

[Philip H]

Really just looking to see if you think the immediate water area is too “busy” with all these vessels or not. I like that they are low and should not block the goings on behind them.

No it's not too busy. If that's all you put in it will be a bit barren.

[chuck geiger]

See:

[eja]

Hi all, looking for feedback up front on the LIRR IS. The front edge of the layout is mostly waterfront, with a canal spitting it’s center. At the breakwater, I have two businesses that deliver to barges.

I purchase two barges, and have always wanted a tug boat, so below is my potential placement.

What do you think, is it too busy?

I would be more concerned about realistic navigational clearances.  That Canal looks too narrow to allow to barges to safely pass each other.  A tug tied to the side of a barge doesn't have much room to navigate or maneuver in the canal or the entrance way.

YMMV   -  ed

[CRL]

The model tug you show isn’t the typical type of tug used with barges. Why not model a small push boat like this…. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Lemosteam]

I would be more concerned about realistic navigational clearances.  That Canal looks too narrow to allow to barges to safely pass each other.  A tug tied to the side of a barge doesn't have much room to navigate or maneuver in the canal or the entrance way.

YMMV   -  ed

The barges will never be beside each other. The imaginary waterfront is very large, the tug would pull the one out, and pull the other away. The front edge of the layout is just a small portion of the water.

[Lemosteam]

The model tug you show isn’t the typical type of tug used with barges. Why not model a small push boat like this…. (Attachment Link)

The layout is set in the 50’s, and this will be a small PRR tug. It’s not much larger than the tug in Ed’s video.

[dem34]

I think people are forgetting that things were a little more, loosey goosey around that period. Here are some aerials of the modelling area in that time period.
If anything I thing the large scows are fine as is, but I would add a couple smaller utility ones dotted around.

[Lemosteam]

I think people are forgetting that things were a little more, loosey goosey around that period. Here are some aerials of the modelling area in that time period.
If anything I thing the large scows are fine as is, but I would add a couple smaller utility ones dotted around.

Sold!

[TrainCat2]

I bought several types of mooring bollards from this guy

https://www.ebay.com/str/thewizardsdenllc/N-Scale-Miniatures-1-160th/_i.html?store_cat=35907228018

[Angus Shops]

With no navigation past the bridges, your distribution of barges and tugs looks fine. I worked at a barge loading terminal on the Vancouver waterfront (False Creek for those of you are familiar with Vancouver) for several summers and we frequently had several barges and a variety tugs rafted up 2 or 3 deep all over the place. We often had to shuffle all of this around when we needed a particular barge up against the wall (sheet pile) or away from the wall (kind of like switching, but more fluid).

One of the ‘model railroad tropes’ that bugs me the most is the “large ocean going ship stuffed up impossibly narrow channel, often with non opening bridge span between ship and open water and impossibly tight bend in the channel” scene. Your waterfront looks fine to me.

[Spades]

The important thing is not to moor the barges to close to the railroad tracks.