I may this year have to deal with a smaller foot print for my layout. I have been following discussions on MRH on the "one town layout" concept. Today I bought the new MR and saw the ad for the new Bachmann Frisco 2-10-0, pretty impressive and expensive, but you can find it for around $350. I have looked at Bolivar for a couple of years. If I look at the town schematic posted here there are several MFA feed locations, Teeters Floral and a milk operation. There are also several other Co-Ops listed on the team track. Does anyone have information on these industries during late steam, early diesel era? Also, been checking EBAY for about six months for the January, 1974 Bulletin that has a plan for the Bolivar depot. I have some pictures, but a copy of the station plan would be helpful. Does anyone have it? Thanks, John
Understand the the various depot plans that are posted, are not "as built" plans. The freight/express rooms were often flipped end to end with the waiting rooms. Compare all the photos with the "plans."
As to industries, I think you'll find most shown were around for your time period. If I was going to do a city oriented switching layout, Bolivar would be in the top 5.
The FMIG Number 27 also had a real-life switching at Bolivar that Charlie Dischinger provided. It too is posted on this site.
I have been without a computer for about a week, so a belated thanks Karl for the information. I can't figure out the Bolivar switching problem. What is the history of this? To read it, it sounds like the man who wrote it was talking about a real situation he encountered as a railroader. Yet, there surely was not that much switching to do at Bolivar in the GP era. Also, a couple of industries are not on any of the track diagrams, like Moormans. Finally, look at the list of cars. How do you determine what cars were already spotted and needed to be picked up? The way I read it this a turnaround job out of Springfield. John
