Selecting a location and locomotive for my switching layout

Discussion in 'General' started by Isaiah, Mar 15, 2019.

  1. Isaiah

    Isaiah Member

    I'm considering building a 1x9 switching layout, but I can't figure out how I would like it to be themed... There's not a whole ton of space, but there should be room for some grass and a tree or two, and I'm wondering what area I should conform the scenery to.

    I whipped up a track plan in the 1x9 space I have to use in XTrkCad, and this is what I decided on. A small yard on one end, a carefully measured and integrated run-around in the middle, and 3 separate industries on the far side. The problem with finding a location to base this layout off of is that a warehouse/manufacturing building (far left), a team track (middle left), and a cement plant (center) could really be anywhere in the states, so it doesn't give me a good idea of where to set this scene.
    Screenshot_2.png

    I figured I might as well set it close to home, as I've seen all these types of industries in my drives around Springfield, MO. With that in mind, the dominant railroad of this area is the Frisco, and the time period I'm modeling (late 1960's) would be quite nice for a Frisco themed layout.

    So I figured I would ask you, the Frisco people, what sort of scenery, locomotives, and other decisions I should try out to emulate the bumpy, clay-caked terrain in and around Springfield. What color of grass, what time of year, what color of soil. What type of manufacturer, what kind of Frisco rolling stock, and maybe some other prototypical Frisco stuff along the right-of-way. In other words, how can I incorporate cool Frisco stuff into this layout?

    Thanks for listening!
     
  2. gna

    gna Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I like the plan. HO scale, right? I would think an NW-2 or SW-7 would be good power, or an SW1500 in the late ‘60s or ‘70s.

    Rolling stock would depend on industries, and I’m afraid I can’t help you there. TRAINS had an article on the Frisco several years ago that had maps of Springfield. Or plenty of people here can help.
     
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  3. Isaiah

    Isaiah Member

    I'm planning on having a medium-length locomotive that was introduced no later than 1960. Also hoping for something slightly exotic and uncommon, maybe a rarer Alco or a Baldwin/FM locomotive. Also probably a bit beefier than 1000-1200 HP, more in the range of 1400-1600 HP. Still, I can't really find many manufacturers selling a Frisco/Mopac scheme'd version of a locomotive that would fit the bill....

    Also, on the topic of Rolling Stock, I already have more or less all the cars I would need, the problem now is finding a location in real life that serves the cement, team track, and warehouse buildings I've picked. It may be backwards of the real process, but I think there's probably a town or 2 I could use as an inspiration for scenery style. Any ideas on that front?
     
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  4. gna

    gna Member Frisco.org Supporter

    GP7 fits the bill for power, I guess. If you want rare, the Frisco had both FM H10-44s and a couple of H12-44s, as well as Baldwin VO1000s, VO660s, and DS-4-4-1000s, none of which has the HP you're looking for. They also had Alco S-2s and S-4s, not to mention the oddball Whitcomb, or 44 /45 ton switcher.
     
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  5. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Late 60s? Switching area in Springfield? A Baldwin seems to be the most common in the photos from the 1960s.

    Neat plan. A Baldwin would look and sound great switching that!

    Andre
     
  6. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Agree with gna. Get one of the soon to be released Athearn Genesis GP7's, which come in three different versions and will be very well done. 1500HP should satisfy you. Also, though 1000HP, the Walthers H10-44 FM, the Stewart BLW VO-1000's (three stack options), and the Stewart BLW DS-44-1000 are each excellent models and are not rare, but somewhat uncommon. To add a little spice into the mix, consider the BLW Stewart VO-660. Very nice, but 660HP. All available in Frisco b/y.
    K
     
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  7. Isaiah

    Isaiah Member

    Excellent. Will be checking out that GP7 offering. Also, I don't care exact HP so much as I want something that speaks "small road locomotive" more than "plant switcher". Since BLW and FM typically build longer, bulkier locomotives for the same HP, I could definitely consider them.
     
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  8. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

  9. patrick flory

    patrick flory Member

    A two track yard, runaround track, and three industrial set outs in 1x9. That’s pretty good. I’m impressed.
     
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  10. Isaiah

    Isaiah Member

    Thanks! I worked a lot on making sure it was all spaced in such a way that the switchback nature of the layout wouldn't become a pain, and it really paid off.
     
  11. patrick flory

    patrick flory Member

    My layout is basically two of yours connected by a branchline with two communities between. I tried to upload some helicopter tour videos but can’t seem to get it done.
     
  12. patrick flory

    patrick flory Member

    Think of it.... all real railroads are multiple connected switching layouts .
     
  13. rjthomas909

    rjthomas909 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I have several Stuart Baldwin VO’s if you would like to have one until the GP-7s come out. They don’t have decoders installed, but are new in box. I sold off a decoder equipped VO-1000 that was one of my favorites.
     

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