East Norwood, OH in Z Scale

[Jesse6669]

I recently relocated from Cincinnati out to my dream cabin in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains and have determined the laundry/storage room has sufficient space for a small layout.  With the ex-SP Roseville Sub. nearby, you'd be thinking a mountain mainline theme would be appealing?  On the contrary:  I'm planning on modeling a little slice of Ohio out here in the west.  Operating sessions will include Skyline Chili and Hudy (or Ale81 or Sam Adams if Hudy isn't at hand).   

Some of my overall requirements:
--6' x 6' space for layout, along the walls.
--Z scale to maximize use of space.
--Modular shelf construction that can be dis-assembled and moved relatively easily.
--Use readily available commercial track.
--Modest design/track plan.
--DC power with blocks.
--RTR rolling stock with minimal extra detailing, painting & weathering needed.

Why Z?  I have been modeling in T (1:450) and ZZ (1:300) scales for several years, but I want to do this in a scale with commercially available, reliable track, and RTR rolling stock.  I still want the advantage of the small size for more realistic curves and a better "scenery to train" ratio in the space allowed.  And I'm familiar with the difficulties of very small scales.  Z (1:220) fits the bill.  Between Atlas and MicroTrains, there are good looking North American prototype track and turnouts.  And AZL, MT, IM, and Rokuhan (among others) offer some great locos and rolling stock.

My actual modeling workspace is small (it will be tucked under the shelf layout along one wall) and at least initially I won't have a spray booth or 3D printer set up.  Therefore, most painting and weathering with be brush and/or rattle-can.

As for the prototype:  I'm a fan of motive power and variety of rolling stock, so I'd like an engine facility and yard;  I also would like some switching to keep me busy, but nothing too complicated;  I like recreating prototype scenes.  And I am a fan of Conrail, the B&O, and the modern day I&O regional. 

After some time mulling this over, an area of Cincinnati came to mind as an almost perfect fit: Norwood, OH.  Specifically the junction between the ex-B&O Midland Subdivision (formerly Ohio Division mainline between Parkersburg and Cincy), and the lead to McCullough Yard (former PRR CL&N).  This was at one time a crossing, but that was removed when the Norwood GM plant was shuttered in the late 80s.  I could realistically include anything from B&O and PRR to PC, Conrail, N&W/NS (who had trackage rights over the Midland before NS acquired the old Big 4 from Sharonville to St. Bernard), CSX and of course the I&O under a variety of owners up to G&W.   The industry and scenery along the line has changed a bit over time but a lot has remained the same.  There are some nifty old structures that crowd the yard lead through East Norwood.  I've railfanned around there for many years and have tons of photos as well, and have fond memories of the area.

The plan is to include a selectively compressed stretch of the Midland Sub, generally from Bond Hill to Oakley, the junction to the PRR/I&O at East Norwood, the lead to McCullough Yard and the locomotive facility.

Elements:
--McCullough Yard (with Inglenook-style switching)
--B&O GK Tower-East Norwood Jct.
--I&O locomotive facility w locomotive shop
--Cohen Scrap
--GM autorack lead
--Zumbeil Packaging

I'll try to use existing structure kits (for example the loco shop will be the HTT loco shed).  I'll probably use ScaleScenes card buildings for Cohen and Zumbeil.  But GK Tower will need to be 3D printed which I'll design and print.  I'll also need some B&O CPLs for East Norwood.. probably also 3D printed.
 
Operations will include switching Norwood Yard; Local traffic for Cohen, Zumbeil;  Interchange with B&O/CSX (which later is I&O to Queensgate).  The engine shop will have some activities as well, there's a sand tower that should get a covered hopper, and locos can be shuttled from service to ready tracks.

Here's the initial track plan.  Let me know any comments or suggestions--!  I look forward to "breaking ground" soon and sharing updates here.  - Jesse

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Here's a pic of an I&O power lashup on the Midland Sub at GK/East Norwood;  That's Zumbeil Packaging behind the locos, and the yard lead going to McCullough.  Wesley Ave is the overpass in the background.
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[ednadolski]

Looks nice!  Are you planning to use the MT905 couplers for switching?   They work ok for coupling without a lot of force, but I found that I had to install drag springs on my freight cars to arrest the slinky action.  That does tend to reduce the loco pulling power to some extent.

That said, I think that when @turbowhiz releases his new N-possible couplers, I will be buying them for Z-scale as well as N scale

Ed

[Jesse6669]

Are you planning to use the MT905 couplers for switching?   They work ok for coupling without a lot of force, but I found that I had to install drag springs on my freight cars to arrest the slinky action.  That does tend to reduce the loco pulling power to some extent.

That said, I think that when @turbowhiz releases his new N-possible couplers, I will be buying them for Z-scale as well as N scale

Ed

Given that I'm starting from scratch, I'm open to whatever works best and is available;  Probably the MT905, but will also look at any alternatives.  Thank you for the suggestion about drag springs. 

Down the line, I may tinker with my own design-- a knuckle coupler made for T-scale that's pretty accurate but it's just a simple spring-lock, not designed for remote uncoupling/shoving.

[Jesse6669]

A prototype photo from close to the same location as the other photo, but in the 70's.  That's the GM plant on the left, all gone now.  I'll keep the siding un-spiked though for "retro" operations if needed.

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This is the train room "blank slate" I'm working with.

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[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm assuming you have the AZL CR SW1500s, right?

[Jesse6669]

I'm assuming you have the AZL CR SW1500s, right?

Not yet... they are on the list though, as is an SP SD40T-2 and a BN SD40-2.  The I&O always has had an eclectic mix of 2nd (or 3rd hand, or leased) power.  I can legitimately run a NYSW SD70M for example.  And a NKP GP30 (the Cincinnati Dinner Train power).  I'm going to have to do some I&O decals in Z as well. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Not yet... they are on the list though, as is an SP SD40T-2 and a BN SD40-2.  The I&O always has had an eclectic mix of 2nd (or 3rd hand, or leased) power.  I can legitimately run a NYSW SD70M for example.  And a NKP GP30 (the Cincinnati Dinner Train power).  I'm going to have to do some I&O decals in Z as well. 

If you find that you're having a hard time tracking them down, let me know.

I have a pair. I'm not planning on getting rid of them, but if I knew they were going to a good use, I could be convinced.

[NorthWestGN]

Cool! A Z scale build, nice plan, looking forward to seeing your progress..

Brent

[Jesse6669]

Since I don't have a wood-working shop (and tools), I am having modules custom built; I put the order in this week and they should be on-hand in a month or so.   

In the meantime, I picked up a few pieces of rolling stock and a couple structures.  I got one of the Archistories grain elevators (even though it won't be on this layout) but I wanted to get a feel for their kits.  Actually I'm going to incorporate it in a diorama that would represent a grain elevator out on the Midland or Mason subs with cars moved "by the hand of God" over to the layout for classification at McCullough.  I also received some Atlas Z flex track to test out painting and ballasting.  I'm going to try using grout sand again for ballast.  In Z it should look pretty good as I was quite happy with it in T/ZZ scales.   

I have also been sifting through some more old pics from the early 2000's.  Here's a view of McCullough Yard with the shop building just visible on the right.  This scene will be a major part of the layout.  Archistories has a nice engine shop now that looks very close to this one, and I'm going compare to the HTT etched one..   


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[490Steam]

The engine facility and yard tracks still look the same, I was just there last week. I live in Sycamore Township about 10 minutes away. Let me know if you need any updated photos om info.

[Jesse6669]

The engine facility and yard tracks still look the same, I was just there last week. I live in Sycamore Township about 10 minutes away. Let me know if you need any updated photos om info.

Thanks, I appreciate it.  I know the sand tower has been moved to the engine shop area, that's how I'll model it (if at all).  I did drop my Facebook account recently so I'm kindof missing the RR Groups.  Ugh, maybe I'll create a "dummy" account again just for that.

[Jesse6669]

I received an update from Stuart at T-Track by Denniston of the modular benchwork in progress, which is coming along very well (as you can see).  In addition, I have a shipment of my tools coming in the next couple weeks and should have these in hand by then to start (thinking about) laying track.  In the meantime, I started on an Archistories grain elevator, which simultaneously makes me want to 3D print an elevator but I shall endeavor to persevere!  Speaking of which, I'm searching for drawings or blueprints of GK Tower (East Norwood).  It seems to be a one-off, not a standard B&O design.  I can wing it using some baseline assumptions like door size if needed but actual dimensions would be great.   

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[Jesse6669]

Trying to solve the basic dimensions of GK Tower, I searched out the Sanborn map showing East Norwood in 1922.   

I love these maps..!  I was able to determine basic size for GK Tower, and the crew room/tool building adjacent to it.   

Plus I can identify some of the customers along the old CL&N--now McCullough Yard lead-- and the footprints of their building.   

Interestingly--what is now Cohen Scrap was once the Weir Frog Company.  I'm torn whether to model a modern-day "what if" Weir Frog survived, or just go with the actual Cohen Brothers as the industry.  Maybe I could have interchangeable signage (if any, there's not much signage anyway)..  Both would likely get gondola emptys in/loads out.  Also, note how the end of that spur extended to the John Douglas Company--makers of toilets and other bathroom appliances.  Supposedly, the slang "Go to the John" comes from that company.  I used to have a Douglas toilet in the basement of my old Cincy home, so I might take some modeler's license and put it on the south side of the spur track with a spot for a boxcar door to load up "the Johns".  Finally, note J. Charles McCullough was the landowner seen above Highland Ave, after whom the yard (not yet in existence in 1922) was named.   

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[Chris333]

Where is East Norwood? Google cannot find it.

[Jesse6669]

Where is East Norwood? Google cannot find it.

Norwood is in Cincinnati, OH (it's actually a separate city within Cincy).  Here's a link to the same location as the map:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/juS52bmuer6txpFr5