Howard Branch - Switching Layout

Having a fairly large N scale layout, and 7.5" in the backyard but decided I'd like a small HO switching layout based on a local prototype to see what I could do in a small space and make it lightweight so I could take it to our local NMRA meetings, or train shows to let people operate and switch cars on it.

It's 21"x96" with a 7"x96" cassette for staging.

I'm documenting it as I go, and plan on running a series in the "Division Points" newsletter of the Indian Nations Division of the NMRA, our web page can be found at tulsanmra.org and will be starting it in the next issue.

Steve "Doc" Campbell had provided me the track diagrams from Tulsa Terminal Zone 6 which I later also found on this site from 1978, so that is the year I'm going to capture. Have the diagram, have the industry names makes it easier. In a small switching layout you can't include everything (even though the Howard branch would make a very nice home switching layout in my eyes.) I'm modeling the southwest end of the line, starting at 13th street to the right to where Lowes (Unfortunately) sits now. I had to eliminate the spur that went to OK natural gas and OK pipe...just ran out of real estate.

I wish there was more information on this branch, I'm curious how the Frisco operated it...did the trains come from Cherokee yard, take the first leg of the wye in go in and do their work, run around their train at the end of branch, attaching a caboose to the end and then head back to Cherokee yard? Did they pull past the wye and then back in caboose first, drop their caboose on a trailing point, proceed to do their work, then on the way out pick up the caboose and take the other leg back to Cherokee yard? Those are just some of the scenarios I conjured up, might not be anywhere close on how it operated.

For motive power in 1978 I figure SW's, maybe a GP7, GP15 or Gp35? Not sure if Baldwins or F-M's may have been used? Did they use wide vision caboose, end cupola cabooses, or transfer caboose, or any and all depending on what was available that day?

A lot of lumber and supply businesses on this section, figure lumber in box cars, materials in box cars, maybe even bulkhead or center beams? PSO box cars for materials at the loading dock at the building? Did they also get poles delivered in Gondolas? The large concrete lot south and west from PSO building to Mll Creek, or was that area part the mill Creek that was to the east of there location south of the tracks for storing additional lumber? Hanna Lumber it shows it on the maps so it will stay on my layout, guessing lumber and materials to them also? Chandler Supply - box cars and covered hoppers? Of course the Yale Team track is a free for all.

Even though as a kids grew up in East Tulsa, I only remember one time crossing Sheridan on our way to Wonderbread and getting stopped my a short train once (how I wish there were photos of it.)

Sorry for all the questions. That's my story so far, feel free to help me along with details, information, photos from back in the day. I will say thanks in advance for any feedback!

Thanks,
Dave

 

This will be an interesting project to watch. Do you have a track plan started yet? If so, please share it with us.

Unfortunately, I don't know any specifics for that zone as to how it ran. As far as motive power, the F-Ms were all retired in 72, so those would be out. There were a handful of rebuilt Baldwin VOs still on the roster, but they seem to have made their last stand in Springfield. Your most likely candidates will be the NW2, SW7, SW9 and SW1500. Luckily for you, there's still some of the new run of Athearn SW1500s on the shelves if you look around. There's also a run of NW2s from Walthers coming out in a few months. I would go with one of those two.

 

Thanks for the motive power info, I was leaning towards the SW1500 already, so that is what I'll go with.

Here is the area I was focused in on...

This is what I ended up coming up with...

There is an 8' staging cassette off to the left...


Dave

 

Track plan looks good. Are you going to use DC or DCC for a power source?

Diving into rolling stock a little bit, I think a mix of big door box cars and bulk head flats will cover your lumber and drywall deliveries. Center beam flats hadn't quite come in to style yet. For box cars, I would go with a mix of SP, UP and shortline/leasing cars that are designed for lumber service. The Frisco moved a lot of lumber in from the PNW via the UP, you could reflect that in your waybills if you wanted. I have a lot of that type of traffic on my upcoming layout.

 

I'm going to go DCC for this one, not that it is needed, but figure I'll jump in and add a sound loco.

I figured big door boxcars would be a majority of the traffic. Figure a couple Bulkhead flats would be good too. Wasn't sure about center beams, so good to know (wasn't a big fan of them anyhow )

Dave

 

Luckily for you, Midwest MRR still has all 3 road numbers in stock with DCC and Sound preinstalled.

https://midwestmodelrr.com/ho-scale...500&Road+Name=St+Louis+-+San+Francisco+(SLSF)

As for freight cars, both Rapido and Athearn Genesis have run box cars that would fit lumber, plywood and drywall service.

https://www.springcreekmodeltrains....-pcf-box-car-freight-cars-athearn-genesis-ho/

https://www.springcreekmodeltrains....o/50-pcf-b-70-box-car-freight-cars-rapido-ho/

As for bulk head flats, Athearn RTR and Atlas have had several production runs in the past. Scaletrains also has a model that would fit the bill. I actually just ordered these a couple days ago for the same service.

https://www.springcreekmodeltrains....-counter-f68-bulkhead-flat-car-trailer-train/

 

There's definitely a chance that a GP38 could have shown up in industrial service. I had suggested the SW's because they're easier to come by right now. Someone keeps buying up all the old stock GP38s

 

I was able to get the last of the track down across the joint , and connected the two sections up for the first time. I used hinges with removable pins to hold them together. Next up when I get the chance to work on it will be to get all the feeders in, filler ties at the rail joiners and then paint the track.
Dave

 

Looking good