Frisco Friends, There is currently a planning contest for the Model Rail Radio podcast. The rules are HO scale in a 12 x 18 ft room with a door (you can place door). I am thinking of submitting a Parsons Subdivision plan for the contest and would welcome input. Any resulting prizes will be shared liberally. Below is my first cut at a plan between Cherokee (Afton Sub) and interchange with MK&T at Parsons. While not quite prototypical (Neosho River is on other side of McCune), I am hoping this arrangement allows for towns to be equally spaced and a passing siding to be available in between the two ends. I am thinking that I need to re-order the turnouts at McCune to make the passing siding longer than the house track. Also, the strange wye in Parsons allows me to provide interchange tracks and still turn a locomotive. Modular-MRR-Parsons-Sub-2019-12-21a-cropped by rjthomas909 posted Dec 21, 2019 at 10:57 PM Merry Christmas, -Bob T.
A few tweaks before bedtime: Modular-MRR-Parsons-Sub-2019-12-21b-cropped by rjthomas909 posted Dec 21, 2019 at 11:28 PM
One of the items on the Parsons-McCune line was a small Coal fired electric generating plant. Single siding is all I know about. Tony LaLumia
Thanks Tony, That would be a good alternate to the munitions factory lead, as it was not there until 1946. Probably a better match for a Cherokee with a roundhouse. -Bob T.
Another excellent suggestion. Would pair well with Tony's recommendation. It also points out that I could use two sides of a wider peninsula in the middle of the room. Edit: There was a "Makie J. Mine" on the Parsons Sub just west of Cherokee. Could also represent this one as a small bump-out. Thanks guys! -Bob T.
Another idea, If you add in weir, could you hide a couple staging tracks behind to use to represent Pittsburg for points of interchange? I would have to go look at a time table, but I think locals originated and terminated at Pittsburg
Ethan, Pittsburg staging is an interesting idea. I am going to have to think over a major shuffle. -Bob T.
This is a great plan Robert. It is very interesting with great switching opportunities. You could even come off that RR xing at grade at Cherokee and tie into that MK&T track with a Y switch addition and have a lift out for continuous running if you ever want to as well.
Good Morning Friends, I received a note last night from Tom Barbalet and Ron Klaiss that the Parsons Sub plan was the winner of the Model Rail Radio contest for 2020. Attached as a PDF is what I had submitted. I want to thank all for their input here. I hope my description of the history is somewhat accurate and represents the Frisco Nation well. Tony, I was able to include your recommendation in the plan an write up (as a pre-WWII alternative). Ethan, I am sorry that I could not find a way to fit in the Pittsburg staging without a significant redesign. Ron is sending a couple of Mine Mount structure kits as prizes, and I get a locomotive weathering job by Ralph Renzetti (sp?). I am planning to send one of the new Athearn GP-7s for that and will feature it in photos here. I am not sure if I can fit the structures into the Crawford and Cherokee. Tony, Tom, and Ethan, let me know if you would be interested if I don't have a use for them. Thanks Again All. Take Care and Stay Safe. -Bob T.
Congratulations are in order here for a great layout and winning the contest! Question if I may. Is there a possibility to have staging tracks attached by a separate module, that in my opinion would really enhance an operations stand point to this gorgeous layout. I have a feeling you may have thought this out and have plans on it that I am not aware of. John
Hey John, Ethan and Tom suggested the same if I interpret their comments correctly. Basically, representing the direction of Pittsburg KS on the Parsons Sub. I was up against the contest deadline and when I tried to re-organize, I just made a mess. The contest ended at the end of March and I was out of time. The room constraint was 12 ft x 18 ft with a single door anywhere you wished. If we relaxed that, it would be a little more straightforward to add. I am thinking that the staging could be through a drop down and include an elevation change between the two ends. One would run the trains off of the diamond at Cherokee (may have to angle it a bit) and underneath the area at Parsons. I am sure one could gain enough elevation without disrupting switching too much. That might work with this footprint. Edit: I think there is a plan for Clinton MO somewhere with a similar concept. Thanks all for the encouragement! Again, willing to share the prizes. -Bob T.
Patrick, this was a plan only for the contest submission. The squares are 6-inch. Similar to my home layout but neighboring part of the Parsons Sub. -Bob T.