Robatron86 Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Good evening everybody. My name is Rob and I am new to this forum. I love the fact there is a dedicated section for American and Canadian railways, so I would like to share my little slice of America. Set in New Mexico around 1995, it is a small diesel refulling and service area. Both ATSF and BNSF railroads are represented. It is 4ft by 1ft using Peco Code 100 track. I have been working on it now for about 8 months and keeping the budget as low as possible. And now for some pictures. That is just a small taster of how it has progressed so far. Any comments welcomed. Thanks for looking. Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Welcome to RMWeb and the USA and Canadian Railroads section. We also take on board the whole of North America. Which includes the countries of Mexico down to Central America and the whole of the Caribbean and Bermuda... Many thanks for sharing! You will get comments. All the best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted June 27, 2013 Author Share Posted June 27, 2013 Wow! Lots of scope for new and exciting layouts. Thank you for the warm welcome Pete. I'm glad you like what you see so far. Plenty of work to still do. Thanks all, Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Welcome to RMweb yo'll get loads of ideas here,it's nice to have another darksider!! Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted June 27, 2013 Author Share Posted June 27, 2013 Thanks Ray. I'm already gaining insipration as we speak! Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Nice layout Rob. Look forward to seeing more. I'm a big fan of small layouts and they don't get much smaller than this. Great work and welcome to RMWeb. Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northpoint Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Great stuff, Rob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
squeaky Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I like it, amazing how much detail you can get into 4ft x 1ft. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinw62 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Like it, looks like you have a good start there. Keep up the posts Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Thank you all for the encouraging comments. Some more pictures for your enjoyment. Until next time, thank you for looking. Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 One more Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Evening all, I have just completed the yard office for the layout and wanted to get your opinions. This is the office from the Walthers Washington salvage kit modified to stand alone. Comments definately welcome. Thanks for looking, Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWB Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Yard offices in the current era tend to be prefab. Here is the BNSF yard office at Kaiser, CA Here is the UP yard office at Mead Yard, Wilmington, CA One project that's been at the back of my mind has been to look at the various web sites of temporary office companies, get dimensions, and scratch something like this out of card. It would be an inexpensive way to add individuality. Also, a yard office typically has employee cars, company cars, crew jitney vans and taxis, and company maintenance of way vehicles parked around it. It's worth keeping a sharp eye out for inexpensive vehicle candidates for this sort of thing. You probably also wouldn't have a grounded caboose body along with a yard office. If it were me, I'd put that caboose body back on its trucks and convert it to a shoving platform for use on the layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Thank you for the info JWB. I had an inkling they may be prefab buildings, but the office was in the kit and I thought id take a punt on it. The caboose has been removed (the pictures with it in are early shots) and replaced witha fuel tank. Thanks again Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelawareAndHudson Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 I'll agree note about many modern yard offices being prefab numbers. Norfolk Southern just had a large 3-section office/reporting location constructed at the east end of East Wayne Yard in New Haven, Indiana where I live. This particular office is for track crews/maintenance of way and is not a 'yard office' per say as train crews don't use it. Now for my big exception statement. It just depends on where you are, what is existing at that location, and what type of railroad. Near as I can tell, train crews report to a brick building behind the engine facility at East Wayne. I believe that particular building dates to the construction of the yard in the early 1950's. It is definitely not a decaying, sagging old wood frame building from the late 1800's or early 1900's. It looks rather stout so I imagine that NS feels there is no reason to replace it with a prefab building. Now for the caboose. It is entirely likely that on a small shortline, you may encounter a grounded caboose as the office. Even in 2013. There is just such a situation 45 minutes from my house up on the Kendalville Terminal Railway in Kendalville, Indiana. This is a shortline that was created sometime in the 1980's I believe. To my knowledge, they did not receive any buildings when they purchased the line so at some point, a caboose was brought in. I remember it was still on it's wheels when I first saw it but for many years now, it has been grounded on cribbing that appears to be built from old ties. I found a couple of pictures online. These shots show the caboose in it's former Norfolk Southern Maintenance of Way orange. It has since been repainted into an attractive red/white/blue scheme that I photographed on June 8th. I just need to figure out how to post photos on this board so I can share them with you. http://www.railroadmichigan.com/kendalville3.jpg This shot shows the "locomotive shop" and the "yard office". This is pretty much all there is to the facilities on this railroad. http://www.railroadmichigan.com/kendalville2.jpg A shot from the west side. http://www.fwarailfan.net/images/ktr-caboose2.jpg So, if I were building a layout based on modern era BNSF, I'd either go for a prefab type building or something more permanent but post-WWII vintage. If I were modeling a modern era shortline, I'd almost definitely go with an old caboose sitting on the ground. Jason Cook New Haven, IN Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Love the second photo there, Jason - the track appears to have just been 'plonked' on top of the ballast!! A prototype for 'snap-track' if ever there was one!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted June 29, 2013 Author Share Posted June 29, 2013 Thanks for the in depth information Jason, very interesting and useful. So, if I were building a layout based on modern era BNSF, I'd either go for a prefab type building or something more permanent but post-WWII vintage. If I were modeling a modern era shortline, I'd almost definitely go with an old caboose sitting on the ground. So based on that, say my yard was built late 50's/early 60's, and I am modelling the early 90's, is a brick built office plausible, if it was in a good condition? Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelawareAndHudson Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 I think you can probably get away with most anything you want. Here's a sampling of BNSF yard offices I've been able to find. Minot, North Dakota http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=s15qp36js18h&lvl=19.64&dir=2.77&sty=o&q=108%20Main%20St%20N%2C%20Minot%2C%20ND%2058703&form=LMLTCC Combination BNSF office and Amtrak station in Fort Madison, Iowa http://www.flickr.com/photos/grefe_stricken/4286780283/lightbox/ Former Santa Fe station (now office?) in Chillicothe, Illinois. http://condrenrails.com/Recent-Trains/images-58/Former-ATSF-station-Chillicothe-IL-10-17-09-1.jpg http://condrenrails.com/Recent-Trains/images-58/Former-ATSF-station-Chillicothe-IL-10-17-09-2.jpg Old Santa Fe station in Calwa, California with BNSF signage http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/637dd453-285d-4b2c-898a-0f7bb793fc0b.JPG Here's the Vaughn, New Mexico station. I believe it is still in use by BNSF today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/courthouselover/3991270057/ You can see, things pretty much run the gamut from a modern prefab/trailer to relatively modern brick or steel sided buildings and back to old stations with new signs. I think your brick building is fine. With big railroads like BNSF, image and liability are big issues so whatever buildings that are in use are likely to be well maintained, whether they are old or new. NS buildings around here are in very good repair, no trash or junk sitting around. Shortlines on the other hand? I've seen some pretty dumpy looking places. Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelawareAndHudson Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Love the second photo there, Jason - the track appears to have just been 'plonked' on top of the ballast!! A prototype for 'snap-track' if ever there was one!! You noticed something I missed and runs counter to "conventional wisdom". First, you have a little shortline with a boatload of new ties. This track isn't run down and about to come apart. Second, ballast base under the ties but not right to the tops of them. Third, it doesn't look like an overgrown field. To give you an idea of just how short this railroad is, there is a spot you can stand and see the entire railroad from one end to the other. In spite of that, the parent company, Pioneer Railcorp, spends money to maintain this line. It would make a great prototype for a small layout........ Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted June 30, 2013 Author Share Posted June 30, 2013 So anything goes quite literally. Thank you for providing that excellent information Jason. Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 Just a quick video of some boxcar shuffling. Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 Hello all!, Long time no post but there has been a flurry of activity. (I apologise for the photo quality, i took them this morning with my phone) Shed is complete. This is kitbashed from the Walthers Washington Salvage building with a new roof and various detailing using Evergreen strip. Also the fuel tank has been finished. Overall shot of the layout as it is today Any comments welcome and thanks for looking. Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
squeaky Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 I love the shed it's very convincing, I think that BNSF gondola has derailed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 Thanks Squeaky, just needs suitable weathering now. I think you're right... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 I have finished bedding the office, fuel tank and pump hut in. It's looking very close to my finished vision (haha...finished!) Thanks for looking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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