11-22-2011, 02:37 AM
Here's a 16in X 96in HO scale switching layout plan that I've designed for a friend based on the Golden Peanut Company facility in Ashburn, Georgia (Google Aerial View: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ashburn,+G...a&t=h&z=17).
As you can see by looking at the aerial view, the track plan is pretty darn close to the switchback arrangement of the actual facility, although straightened out a tad to fit the available space. Still, being based on a prototype location and track layout is a big plus.
My friend likes covered hoppers and tank cars, so we've got that covered with this facility and can also use box cars for peanut loading if desired. There is room to spot 2 covered hoppers (or box cars) for shipments of peanuts and one tank car for peanut oil loading (with room for another empty to spot later) at any one time. Also allowed for a "company switcher" to be parked on the end of the spur if desired (I suggested a GE 45 ton), or you can just have a road engine staged with the inbound cars on the connection (Prototype road is the Georgia Southwestern), pull in to the scene, do the work and then shove back toward the main.
Track will be code 100 with Peco medium radius turnouts and I have several surplus structures (grain bins and a few odds and ends) that can be used on the layout. Even though he primarily just wants a small layout for testing the locomotives that he details, modifies and paints; over the past year, I've managed to get him very interested in switching operations. So after hunting for some possible prototype locations that might fit and trying a couple of possible plans, it looks like he may go with this one.
With the limited space, traffic is limited to 3 (or 4?) cars inbound/outbound maximum per operating session, but with the two separate industry tracks and car spot locations, it should be interesting enough to keep him busy when the mood to do some switching comes along. It's also a nice small plan for a first time layout builder to work on his skills, IF he wants to go further than just laying and wiring the track and having a couple of structures on the layout.
Right now, I have no idea when he might actually start working on this layout, but it would take only a short time to get the track laid, wired and be able to run something. He did go home last night with the plan and a big smile and since he's already purchased the shelf - it might be this week.
Perhaps, a small prototype based plan like this one might interest someone else. I'm actually tempted to do this layout myself in addition to my much larger switching layout, currently being developed.
My friend likes covered hoppers and tank cars, so we've got that covered with this facility and can also use box cars for peanut loading if desired. There is room to spot 2 covered hoppers (or box cars) for shipments of peanuts and one tank car for peanut oil loading (with room for another empty to spot later) at any one time. Also allowed for a "company switcher" to be parked on the end of the spur if desired (I suggested a GE 45 ton), or you can just have a road engine staged with the inbound cars on the connection (Prototype road is the Georgia Southwestern), pull in to the scene, do the work and then shove back toward the main.
Track will be code 100 with Peco medium radius turnouts and I have several surplus structures (grain bins and a few odds and ends) that can be used on the layout. Even though he primarily just wants a small layout for testing the locomotives that he details, modifies and paints; over the past year, I've managed to get him very interested in switching operations. So after hunting for some possible prototype locations that might fit and trying a couple of possible plans, it looks like he may go with this one.
With the limited space, traffic is limited to 3 (or 4?) cars inbound/outbound maximum per operating session, but with the two separate industry tracks and car spot locations, it should be interesting enough to keep him busy when the mood to do some switching comes along. It's also a nice small plan for a first time layout builder to work on his skills, IF he wants to go further than just laying and wiring the track and having a couple of structures on the layout.
Right now, I have no idea when he might actually start working on this layout, but it would take only a short time to get the track laid, wired and be able to run something. He did go home last night with the plan and a big smile and since he's already purchased the shelf - it might be this week.
Perhaps, a small prototype based plan like this one might interest someone else. I'm actually tempted to do this layout myself in addition to my much larger switching layout, currently being developed.
Ed
"Friends don't let friends build Timesavers"
"Friends don't let friends build Timesavers"