Chris, A very valid point, however, there are 4 industries on the same reach of track. (Long Bell Lumber, Grain Elevator, Team Track, K&T Supply). I guess with a crossover you can drop off for 2 industry's, cross over and pick up for the other 2. Reverse the process on another session. All kinds of possibilities. John
Great input guys. I ended up exaggerating (?) the length of the house track behind the depot, etc. The industry placement is fairly prototypical, though. I'll see what I can do to fit in a crossover and might move the one in front of the depot a little further to the left (north). I also found a crazy track diagram (LOC collection) for the smelter and power plant area which I might use for further planning. Apparently, there was a second wye that way that was used after the one in front of the depot was removed. The one shown in the plan's tail to the west (down) was yet another mine lead at one time. You'll also note that both the Frisco and the KC FS & M both served Weir City in this timeframe. -Bob T.
Just a thought. Is there scope at the Brick Yard for curving the line around to some staging above the workbench? Dare I say that having done that, then join up the two staging spots and sit back with a beer (or two) and watch the trains trundle through?
Rob, that's a good thought, and aligns with the prototype. The brick yard was about a 1/2 mile down the line from the station on a curved spur, and for some time there was a coal mine on the same. The brick yard persisted through my time in the area (around 2000). I used to serve lunch to the workers from there when I worked at the grocery store in town. Of course the branch lines to Weir were long gone by then. Here is a map from @Karl (I think) passed along a few years ago (around 1910), and a later aerial image c.1950. I am not sure there was still track to the brickyard in 1950, but you can see the path in the photo. I think incorporating the additional benchwork will depend on the final height that I can manage and not collide with the workbench. I guess I could do a ~8-inch wide scene as it is only a single track for the industry. Yes, a closed loop with a drop down at the door might be feasible then. This will be a lower level layout of two levels, with an upper level (the Wichita & Northwestern) indeed going above the workbench.
And for those interested in reading more, here are two summaries of the industrialization of SE Kansas from Ratzlaff and Walther. Dr. Ratzlaff's signature appears on my diploma from Pittsburg State University and attempted to teach me some history back around 1987. https://esirc.emporia.edu/bitstream...atzlaff & Walther Vol 14 Num 2.pdf?sequence=1 https://dspacep01.emporia.edu/bitst...atzlaff & Walther Vol 11 Num 2.pdf?sequence=1 (Courtesy of Emporia State University)
