Another 'Lance Mindheim style' US switching layout.

[Traintresta]

Here is the start of what will probably be the layout I have for the remainder of my days.  It's based on ideas from the Miami Downtown Spur and Eastrail concepts plus some scrutinising of Google maps.  I haven't yet decided what all the industries will be but I love tank cars so will probably have Sentry Industries and something that requires corn syrup or similar products.

 

Where the loco is disappearing around the corner will be a sector plate with some lines running back towards the aisle, perpendicular to the main run to represent the main where the train would be so that the loco can shuttle back and forth to get the cars.   The section in front of the cupboard door slides out to allow access and I will be mounting a backscene and valance on the boards to help produce the right ambiance (and hopefully facilitate night time ops sessions down the line).

[Talltim]

I assume you don’t need to get through the door?!

[Traintresta]

The section in front of the door is removable.

[gazmanjack]

I have been building a Lance Mindheim inspired layout based on the down town line as well. Like you, google maps have been invaluable in getting the scene looking just right.

 

I'm looking forward to how you progress with this layout and I really should post up pics (start a thread) on my layout. Here is a link to youtube and my August update : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iCTY0k9dxE

 

Cheers, Gary.

[Traintresta]

So after stumbling across the Pacific Harbor Belt when looking at modern, environmentally friendly locomotives, I spent all week looking at photos and google earth around Long Beach, California. 
 

Well guess what, we’re switching to the west cost and modelling the PHL, the track plan has been changed to represent an area of Long Beach terminal that has plenty of lines running around it. I’m obviously not modelling an exact piece but hopefully it looks the part in the end. 

Edited August 30, 2021 by Traintresta

[doctor quinn]

Looks good, have you checked out Bernard Kempinski’s Port of Los Angeles layout? The posts are on his US Military RR blog tagged with POLA https://usmrr.blogspot.com/?m=1

[Traintresta]

2 hours ago, doctor quinn said:

Looks good, have you checked out Bernard Kempinski’s Port of Los Angeles layout? The posts are on his US Military RR blog tagged with POLA https://usmrr.blogspot.com/?m=1

I'm curious as to why he turned the bulk carrier around?  She would always go starboard side to, with the cranes outboard if using a shore crane.  Unfortunately I won't have room for something as nice as that but I'm hoping I can make the most of my space.

[Traintresta]

So I decided I wasn't happy with the main focus of the layout and needed something to better compose the scene and root it as a layout of the Port of  Long Beech, so I took to google maps again and found Pier F was much more suited to what I am looking for, all I needed to do was exchange the last warehouse for my petroleum/oil industry so that I can run my favourite tank cars.

 

Here's what happened... Vopak terminal on the right corner; Berth 20/21 warehouse as the main feature; Morton Salt represented to the left in the corner.  Once I get the extension up across the window (removable of course) I will have a large highway bridge running across it to hide the disappearing track to the staging and there will be a small yard at the front, maybe only two or three tracks.

 

What I can't decide is whether or not to omit the point that runs from the warehouse towards the front to form a run-around?  I think it's there in reality to aid reaching cars that are 'behind' other cars on the track so it may help make switching more interesting than simple long spurs.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

Hi there.  With regards to the ‘run-round loop’ point, if there is room to include it, I’d suggest it might well be worth it, not just to look like the prototype, but for the extra switching flexibility it gives: you always have the option of not using it.  Just a thought, Keith.

[rodshaw]

I second what Keith said about run-rounds. Twice I've designed layouts without one, thinking I wouldn't need it and that it would give me more siding space, regretted it and fitted one retrospectively. Both layouts in question have industries on facing and trailing point spurs and it's a real help to be able to 'swap ends' with a loco without taking it off the track. The tracks inside the loop can still be used as sidings when a run-round manoeuvre isn't needed.

Edited September 1, 2021 by rodshaw

[gazmanjack]

A run around would be ideal, especially if you don't have staging at each end of the layout. Generally east bound trains would switch trailing points and then the west bound train would switch those trailing points. If you can squeeze a run around in, it will increase your operational opportunities.

 

Cheers, Gary.

[Traintresta]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.  I have two options in mind for a run-around in mind.  Since arranging this plan I have considered including a little yard with a run-around, there is a very long three-track yard that leads to these spurs on Pier F, a heavily compressed version would do nicely.  The other option was using the run-around on the pier.  What isn't apparent is the extension on the left side of the layout that will be removable where the staging and end of the pier run-around would be.  I have yet to build the baseboards for this, based on the end track plan.

 

I've also had lots of thoughts about straightening the layout at the right hand end to try and increase the apparent length and fit industries better, i.e. move the warehouse down so that the run-around is all on the straight part of the baseboard.  This isn't by all means the final design, I'm still tinkering and will come back to it after a bit of reflection.

 

8 hours ago, gazmanjack said:

A run around would be ideal, especially if you don't have staging at each end of the layout. Generally east bound trains would switch trailing points and then the west bound train would switch those trailing points. If you can squeeze a run around in, it will increase your operational opportunities.

 

Cheers, Gary.

 

There won't be eastbound and westbound trains, this is a spur in Long Beach terminal so it's a single turn that will do all of the switching. most of the moves will be facing point spurs so I have the option of pushing my train in much like the real thing, but I'm still tinkering.

[Barclay]

I rather like the corner - it's unusual to see a convex corner - reminds me of Pete Johnson's Canada Street.

[Traintresta]

On 03/09/2021 at 16:23, Barclay said:

I rather like the corner - it's unusual to see a convex corner - reminds me of Pete Johnson's Canada Street.

I have to agree, I rather like it and the idea of getting rid of it doesn’t sit well with me but it would remove the S curve effect from the layout and make it easier to fit things in. I’m still

undecided about how I’m going to ultimately configure this.