Layout Infrastructure

Once the layout benchwork is up, track laid and mechanically sound, most modelers want to put fascia in place to dress up the edge of the benchwork. The fascia provides a great base to attach layout infrastructure to.

I thought I would show everyone some of the layout infrastructure I use on the Frisco Northern Division.

The first photo shows the communication system (phones), a Digitrax throttle pocket and a car card box. My phone system is a very elementary party line system assembled by a local retired ATT employee. The throttle pocket and car car box was developed and produced by a good friend John McBee. These niftly little devices are nice when you just want to put the throttle somewhere or when you are switching a yard and you want a stable platform to operate the throttle from.

The second photo shows the car card box in Rosedale and highlights the moveable track designation cards that I made. I simply developed a form using MS Word and then laminated it at Kinkos with the 10 mil laminate. You will probably notice on the 19th St Industries card the beginning of the industry spot number and name to aid the yard crews in sorting cars for their proper destination. These track designation cards are moveable to adapt to the flow of traffic through the yard. You will also notice a skewer or a pick that we use to uncouple cars on a small tray in front of the card box. This tray is very useful to set car cards out for sorting without needing to set them on the layout against the car.

The third photo shows a track schematic for the 19th St Yard. This schematic is used by crews to identify the tracks in a given area, especially industry spots. This was done in MS Powerpoint and was laminated at Kinkos with 10 mil laminate.

The fourth photo shows the job description for the 19th St yardmaster. This description outlines the job duties, lists inbound/outbound trains and shows all the industry spots this job is responsible for as well as industry spots for the Rosedale job for later transfer runs. My operating session are in 8 hour shifts (3:1 fast clock) so my job descriptions are tailored to each shift. These documents were laminated in 5 mil laminate.

The fifth and final photo show the track designation cards at the 19th St yard where cars are routed to connecting road. These cards were developed on MS-Word and laminated in 10 mil laminate.

I will also mention that I am a little intense when it comes to the industries used on my car cards. The customer and shipper names on my car cards are actual industries that were in business in 1950. Most of my operators could care less but I like this added touch and don't mind the extra research required.

If anyone would like a soft copy of my paperwork, you are welcome to it. You only need to provide me with an email address to send it to.

Ship IT on the Frisco!

Rick

 

Re: Layout Infrastrucuture

For those who like to use real industries for their car forwarding systems, the information on the Operations SIG website is a real gold mine. Check it out on the web below.

http://www.opsig.org/industrydb/

Ship IT on the Frisco!

Rick

 

Re: Layout Infrastrucuture

This is what I find most fascinating about "hard core" operators.

I am in a group that meets every Thursday night for about 2 hours. The engines are solid but not fancy, as is the rolling stock. A large majority of the buildings are cardboard mockups or painted Quaker Oats round boxes, etc.

But the operating session IS "Model Railroading" where the tire meets the pavement, or the wheel meets the rail.......

 

Re: Layout Infrastrucuture

Forgot to add, this particular gents layout depicts the Pennsy near Pittsburgh in the late 50's. Town and yard names are real. Train names and/or numbers are real. There is a schedule posted which we follow.

For newbies, it brings a whole new understanding to what cars are in a train and why.

I have always felt that model railroading has been a boon to me personally, as it has been to others.......in that it leads us down many different trails in life, from historical research, to just a better sense of awareness of what we see on a daily basis driving down the streets and roads.

 

John,

Well said. You are right about the different approaches that model railroaders take. Some simply like the equipment, some like operation, some like shooting photos of the prototype, some like the history aspect, some like Lionel, some even like Thomas the Tank Engine.

Bottom line, Rule 1 is always in effect and I certainly respect that. My only aim with this thread was to share things that have worked for me so they might save someone else time as they enjoy their favorite things about this multi-faceted hobby.

And what a great hobby it is and full of great people.

Ship IT on the Frisco!

Rick

 

I was using the Union Pacific link provided by Rick. I can get Van Buren, AR (mostly Restricted by AM) but not Fort Smith, AR, where the FSR swtiches for the UP. Also can't get anything for Russelville, AR where there is interchange with the D&R. Any ideas?

 

Steve,

I have not used the UP link on the Op Sig website but I have looked up the UP Recip Agreement which lists a ton on industries. Keep in mind that if you are looking at the UP Recip, that is a 2008-9 document and may not represent industries from the past.

On the Op Sig detail by region, these are industries contributed by people with CLIC/industry switching charts that are usually dated. This list is a "best effort" compilation from contributors. There are a few industries for Russellville and Ft. Smith but not many.

I contributed to list some time ago and have gotten more track charts since then so I need to go back through my paperwork and see what else I can add. I would encourage all All Aboard members to search your track charts and contribute to the cause. Please use the format on the list including date, industry name, city, state, ship (S) or receive (R), products, etc.

Ship IT on the Frisco!

Rick