Modern US Layout in SA

[SSWUPinSA]

So I have completed and sold my "Lance Mindheim" style ISL Shelf layout and had a break from modeling.....long enough to take not of the new generation N Scale locos that are arriving on the scene with fine details as in the FVM GE ES44AC I acquired in NS colors. I'm more of a modeler than a train fanatic but modern US power is where my heart lies, even though I live thousands of miles away in South Africa. Here is my HO ISL http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=4271 using UP and SSW re-patched locos based on prototypes in the late 90's.

I have always wanted a Geneva Sub style layout with MU trains of Inter-modal cars or Hoppers and reefer units dragging through scenic areas or mountain passes, hence me wanting to get into N Scale so as to make use of the space I may have available.

Here is my basic idea, Intermodal yard and a few other industries on route to a mountain pass on the southern section of the island then dropping under the shelf to emerge again in the NE corner. Designed with a staging yard underneath that would just hold cars and with the possibility of having a continuous train running while swithich the Intermodal yard or any other industry...

I realize there are no points or crossovers shown,this is just a basic idea till I open up the full version of anyrail that will allow me to use more items... Let me know what you think

[SSWUPinSA]

Sorry grid dimensions are 100mm x 100mm... Basically a 3 meter wide by 3.4 meter area in my garage. Will be a fixture except for the southern island which I want to make on a hollow core door that connects when in use.

[peteski]

Interesting.

Looks like perfect thread for the Layout Engineering Reports (Chronicles member's layout design, construction, and operations.) section of the forum.   

[packers#1]

Looks like a good mainline shape, any ideas on what part of the country you'll be modeling?

[SSWUPinSA]

Oh, hope I didn't post in the wrong place...if so maybe a mod can move it?

I would probably model the area south of Chicago where NS and UP lines are shared, I love the NS and UP lines. I may be way off with that assumption regarding the area, perhaps some of the forum members can help with that. Basically the requirements are a Class 1 line that would see NS and UP sharing power for intermodal, coal, grain....then have a mountain pass at some point but this can be freelanced into the layout.

All advice is welcome....

[GaryHinshaw]

Welcome to the Railwire!  South of Chicago sounds like it would fit your druthers just fine for everything except the mountain pass...  Looking forward to seeing your modern modeling here.

The Layout Engineering section is intended for folks who want to chronicle their specific layout builds over time and discuss aspects of it along the way.  If you would like us to move it there just say so, but no harm having it here either, except that it bugs Peteski. 

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Welcome to the international builders club. I'm planning a small shelf layout for our retirement house in Thailand.

[packers#1]

I would probably model the area south of Chicago where NS and UP lines are shared, I love the NS and UP lines. I may be way off with that assumption regarding the area, perhaps some of the forum members can help with that. Basically the requirements are a Class 1 line that would see NS and UP sharing power for intermodal, coal, grain....then have a mountain pass at some point but this can be freelanced into the layout.

With what's going on currently in the world of US railroading, you could realistically pick any spot in the country and see power from all of the Class I's; just the other day in Clemson I saw a Norfolk Southern mixed freight with a Norfolk Southern locomotive on point, followed by a patched Southern Pacific unit and a Union Pacific unit; Kansas City Southern units are also pretty common on a couple of joint freights (I saw a trio of them leading a freight this summer), and BNSF, CN, and even an unpatched Death Star IC SD60 have come through here.

Also, I really enjoyed reading your ISL (what does that stand for?) layout thread over on Big Blue; thanks for the link, I really like those types of layouts and want to eventually get around to building one myself

[mu26aeh]

Just looked over the link at Big Blue.  I live in Gettysburg, about 10 miles south of Biglerville and Inland Container.  You did a great job recreating that area.  If you look up Butch Eyler, who posts here every once in a while, you'll find some pics of the same area, in model form and prototype.  He takes photos in that area all the time for research and doing custom cars for prototype meets.

[SSWUPinSA]

I really enjoyed reading your ISL (what does that stand for?) layout thread over on Big Blue; thanks for the link, I really like those types of layouts and want to eventually get around to building one myself

Thanks for that. An ISl is an Industrial Switching layout if I am not mistaken, could be wrong. Think its just a term for modeling an industrial spur that is based mostly on servicing industries through switching operations only.

[SSWUPinSA]

Just looked over the link at Big Blue.  I live in Gettysburg, about 10 miles south of Biglerville and Inland Container.  You did a great job recreating that area.  If you look up Butch Eyler, who posts here every once in a while, you'll find some pics of the same area, in model form and prototype.  He takes photos in that area all the time for research and doing custom cars for prototype meets.

Thanks Mu26, I'd love to see Butches work, please send a link if you can. I did all my research via the net and google/bing maps using as many references as I could, I'll never really know how close I got the the original as its too far for me to "go have  a look"LOL

[mu26aeh]

http://oscalewcor.blogspot.com/2011/01/inland-container-layout-design-element.html

This is another layout that is based on the Gettysburg line that Inland Container is on.  Not sure what happened to the owner of the layout, he hasn't posted or been heard from in a few years.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=504

Here is a link from Mr Eyler's posts here on TRW, he also hasn't posted here in a few years.

[SSWUPinSA]

Had some time to detail and weather my FVM NScale NS8112 GE ES44AC.... I'm loving the new NScale stuff...

[eric220]

Had some time to detail and weather my FVM NScale NS8112 GE ES44AC.... I'm loving the new NScale stuff...

.... Dang...   

Seriously, the diameter of the handrails and size of the couplers are the only things that gives those photos away as models. Phenomenal job!

[SSWUPinSA]

Agreed, I think the biggest fail on N =scale locos are the front and rear grab rails, wire would be better. As for couplers I recon these will be a great addition for Nscale... http://www.model160.com/n-scale-news-blog/nzt-announces-new-n-scale-coupler/