East Norwood, OH in Z Scale

[Jesse6669]

A plant like that is highly unlikely to burn waste paper, you can bale it up and sell it; lots of the 50’ regular height boxcars you see leaving box plants are filled with waste paper. That’s likely the smokestack for some old boiler (maybe in operation or not still) which would have made steam for the corrugator or whatever else they may be doing. Source: I worked for PCA for a few years right out of college and, while we didn’t have a corrugator at my little sheet plant, we still got all the safety stuff surrounding boilers sent to us on the company wide email alerts, and we baled up our waste paper from cutting the sheets into boxes/displays and put it on trailers to ship out.

I didn't mean the paper I meant the dust--notice the pipes from the cyclone dust collector towards that stack.  And it looks pretty new.  Either way, it'll be on the model!

[Jesse6669]

Cork is down. This is 1/16 cork from a big sheet, just cut into strips except for the turnouts, which were done by putting a turnout on the cork and cutting around them.

Next step will be pre-wiring some of the track with soldered feeders and laying it.  I'm planning on starting with the Midland Sub. section that has the cork.  I purchased PCB ties to use at the joints of the modules, so when the layout is dis-assembled the parts can be easily separated, re-connected, and to ensure electrical continuity over the gap. 

So.. I need to think about how to set up blocks--At the very least I will isolate the Midland Sub from the I&O lead and McCullough so switching can take place independently.   I may have a train parked on the Midland Sub while doing switching as well.  Not sure if I really need to isolate the B&O Main 1 from 2.   And I'll probably isolate the Engine House tracks from the yard and lead so there can be hostling done while switching in the yard takes place.  So three main blocks.   

Signalling (CPLs on the Midland) will all be manual--rotary or slide switch for indication, not based on occupancy or any fancy electronics. 

[nickelplate759]

Is your backdrop painted Masonite?  It looks nice and even.

[Jesse6669]

Is your backdrop painted Masonite?  It looks nice and even.

It's 1/8" plywood backboard that came with the modules from T-Trak by Denniston.  It was primered with plain white Kilz then mini-roller of this matte "french blue".  It really is a nice "hazy blue".   Eventually I'm going to have cut-out photo backdrops on it but this is a good stepping stone.

[Jesse6669]

I recently spent several days back in Cincinnati and got a bunch of prototype photos in East Norwood for reference or possible use in the backdrop.  Here are some:   

McCullough locomotive shop.. lots of new (ex CSX & BNSF) GEs, and the sand tower.  Not sure I'll include the sand tower or not--wouldn't be accurate for the 90's-20's but it would add interest. 
 

The view looking west on Highland Ave.  The white building is (was) the Perry & Derrick Paint Company and will be included behind the yard lead curve against the backdrop.  I would like to fit in a siding.. maybe.
   

Weir Frog Co (now Cohen Metals) but I'll be keeping in Weir Frog.. note the detail of the company name added in the facade.      

     

A tree tunnel between GK tower/Zumbiel Packaging.  It's surprisingly wooded here.   

[Scottl]

It is always great to see the prototype, lots of inspiration.  The Weir Frog building is fantastic, perfect 3D print project.