Urban Layout Industry List

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One of the features of the upcoming NCR Line layout is going to be an urban branch line, currently dubbed the "Guilford Ave Industrial Track".

My current thought is to do some reality-based freelancing (much like the rest of the layout) and include all sorts of cool urban stuff on it.

So, if you were building an urban themed branchline layout, what industries and scenes would you include?

I want to put together a big pool to work backwards from and determine what fits.

Here are some current thoughts to get you guys started:

The Baltimore Sun Plant would receive 3 boxcars or so a day of clean newsprint:
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qjgbtr8mg3vx&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=7161969&encType=1

Inolex Chemical gets three tank cars a day of various chemicals (but what, I don't know, where's Gonzo?):
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qnm1pm8r414j&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=35777461&encType=1

So what would you want to include?

[Zox]

A fuel company, perhaps, getting deliveries of heating oil and/or propane for people who don't have city gas?

[Bob Bufkin]

You gotta have somethng that uses plastic.  Perhaps a small plant that makes plastic bottles.  Flexiflo's anyone.  A furniture making factory (they don't have to be larg) - unfinished wood, chemicals, nails, etc, in, completed furniture out by either rail or truck.

[asciibaron]

1985...

Metal recycling company
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qjdcr28mm23n&scene=7164353&lvl=1&sty=b

GAF chemicals
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qjc4h98mmdqs&scene=31884564&lvl=2&sty=b

Tanker transload
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qjc8798mktkt&scene=7166319&lvl=2&sty=b
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qjkh388mdxmx&scene=31866960&lvl=1&sty=b

Misc warehousing
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qj7vgq8mdd8h&scene=31886727&lvl=2&sty=b

Lumber supplier
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qj5f188mh9pp&scene=31894542&lvl=1&sty=b

[asarge]

A couple of industries here in Winder, Georgia.

Olympic Steel - A processing and finishing plant. Takes Coil Cars and Flat Cars of steel sheets.

Del Monte - Produce Distribution. Gets reefers of fruits and veggies

Also Johns Manville Finberglass insulation plant. Gets lots of covered hoppers. 2600's, 2970's, 2893's, 4427's etc.

[bigford]

a small plant that makes plastic  TRAINS!!!!! ;D

[asciibaron]

a small plant that makes plastic  TRAINS!!!!! ;D

Lifelike moved that off-shore by 1985...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ooh, those are good ones. Thanks Steve!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

a small plant that makes plastic  TRAINS!!!!! ;D

Lifelike moved that off-shore by 1985...

True, BUT, Gregg had told me that they used to fill up either a 60' or 89' car with plastic peanuts trucked down to the tracks in a box truck.

[asciibaron]

this looks like a neat operation on Eastern Ave - maybe martin can chime in...

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qjdyjx8mmw1g&scene=31896237&lvl=1&sty=b

[Bob Bufkin]

Any McCormick Spice places nearby that could be modeled.   

[Bob Bufkin]

You probably have seen this one:

http://www.btco.net/ghosts/railroads/nc/ncentral.html

[wcfn100]

Well all urban areas are different and I don;t know the east coast so I'll add what I do know.

Beer distribution.

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=pk6bb95p2j6h&scene=5776135&lvl=1&sty=b


Steel coil and lumber together. Looks like steel plate too.

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=rh0fck76zf0r&scene=42072412&lvl=1&sty=b&where1=Minneapolis%2C%20MN


Jason

[wm3798]

The Notorious Vinegar plant.
Probably a little before your layout's time, but there were several liquor and beer distributors that were housed at Hillen Terminal.  There was also a lumber dealer that rented the old roundhouse.
If you're thinking urban composite, Steve's suggestions would be nice, but remember, Guilford Avenue was hard by downtown.  Steel processors and chemical joints were all over on the east side.

Unfortunately, you're modeling the dullest part of Baltimore in terms of rail service in 1985.  The real action was over at Camden Yards, which had loads of street running, and yes, viable, tax paying industries that employed hundreds that got torn down so we could have a baseball stadium for a team that sucks.  But I digress.

The other area that would be a legitimate Conrail target would be Boston Street and the Canton Waterfront.  That was accessed from Bayview, though, not from Mt. Vernon. 

You could also foobie in some rail service to Washington Mills there in Hampden.  They're just such great buildings.

Lee

[Wlal13again]

Corn syrup transload is a must...