Created the following for someone interested in a plan for an 18-inch by 6-ft switching layout. As we need more Frisco modelers out there, I submitted this for the request and also in the Micro/Small Layouts group on Facebook. It is based on an Sanborn map of Cherokee, KS from 1913. Plan is HO Scale, grid in plan is 6-inch divisions. Drawn in AnyRail 6, using #5 FastTrack turnouts from their database. Cherokee Interchange - 2020-01-01b by rjthomas909 posted Jan 1, 2020 at 10:51 AM Sanborn map: Ksrl.kc.sm_cherok_1913_001-cropped by rjthomas909 posted Jan 1, 2020 at 10:52 AM Additional Notes: There was an interesting platform between the Parsons Sub and the Interchange to the Afton Sub, which is a nice modeling element. The Long-Bell Lumber Company started in Columbus, KS, just to the south of Cherokee. I know that Weir City to the south-east had one of their lumber yards. I am making an assumption/tribute here. The Roller-Mill is a nice complex with several spots. From the Sanborn map, it looks like it closed around this time period. I know that the Kelso Grain company moved to Pittsburg sometime in this period, maybe causing this closure. The Afton Sub would have run North-South, but is angled here to save space and look as if it aligns to the interchange. The station at Cherokee was a brick structure with a nice turret at the corner of the intersection. A Bachmann 4-6-0 ten-wheeler with a 36-ft boxcar needs about 14-inches of clearance for switching from the ends. This plan provides about that much distance.
I like your layout design Bob!!! It matches pretty much with the real railhead map and that's why it's interesting. A lot of potential for the owner of the layout. Great job!!! Joe
Yet another version of this layout. I am thinking about building as an add-on to the Crawford and Cherokee, or another stand-alone switching layout. This would be four sections, each 4 ft long. I think this would be a nice layout for photography and model display.
Interesting that someone "liked" this today. Over the weekend, I drew up yet another version as a 2-ft X 12-ft set of 4-ft sections. I am thinking of building this one and taking to the Red River RPM with my ~1900-1910 rolling stock. Take Care All, -Bob T.
That was me, Bob. I was actually thinking of building the 18”x6’ version at the top of the page for a diorama/switching puzzle. Regards, John
Something that came to mind looking at this again, I remember a MRR Magazine article from a while back that discussed kind of a tack on staging track for operating at shows like you have thought about. Essentially, it's a couple feet of track that can be tacked on beyond the main layout to hold a few cars as a staging area. I'll have to see if I can find the article.
