Some of you know already that I have begun a major rework of a scene on my layout. I thought that you may be interested in following along with my progress by photos and descriptions from tear-out to build-up. This will probably take awhile, but hopefully you will see that nothing about our layouts is written in stone; if you want a change...change it.
When I first started my garage sized layout, it was only going to be 1/2 garage size. Well, as time went on and the MR addiction grew, so did my layout. Now it covers most of the entire 24x40 foot garage. Many adjustments have been made to accommodate this growth, but never one the size of this one.
To begin, the first area of rework is the steel complex located in the town of Newton that was originally designed to be serviced by local freights and a coal haul. The town was to be a small "steel town" (looks only). I have now started using RailOps software to build trains and run routes to all points and it became easily apparent that this area was badly lacking in freight load/unload facilities. This and the fact that there was no passenger service available encouraged me to take the plunge and just rework the entire area.
To complicate the task at hand is my lack in knowledge of modeling steel production. Fortunately, a good friend of us all on this forum, KenL (CSX_RoadSlug) has given me encouragement and also has volunteered to help by designing a plan for the steel complex.
There will be a part II later that will involve the town. I hope you will follow along and your comments and suggestions will always be welcomed.
This is the way the Mill looked before work started.
Photo taken while doing an aerial survey in my Sopwith Camel.
Land being prepared at new steel mill site.
Old steel mill site and the future home of the town of Newton. This area will undergo many changes, but decisions on the scenery, wye vs. loop for turnaround, and building locations still have to be worked out.
Steel Mill relocation showing old location and track runs. (pls ignore the track on the far right as that is part of the route to Ashland )
When I first started my garage sized layout, it was only going to be 1/2 garage size. Well, as time went on and the MR addiction grew, so did my layout. Now it covers most of the entire 24x40 foot garage. Many adjustments have been made to accommodate this growth, but never one the size of this one.
To begin, the first area of rework is the steel complex located in the town of Newton that was originally designed to be serviced by local freights and a coal haul. The town was to be a small "steel town" (looks only). I have now started using RailOps software to build trains and run routes to all points and it became easily apparent that this area was badly lacking in freight load/unload facilities. This and the fact that there was no passenger service available encouraged me to take the plunge and just rework the entire area.
To complicate the task at hand is my lack in knowledge of modeling steel production. Fortunately, a good friend of us all on this forum, KenL (CSX_RoadSlug) has given me encouragement and also has volunteered to help by designing a plan for the steel complex.
There will be a part II later that will involve the town. I hope you will follow along and your comments and suggestions will always be welcomed.
This is the way the Mill looked before work started.
Photo taken while doing an aerial survey in my Sopwith Camel.
Land being prepared at new steel mill site.
Old steel mill site and the future home of the town of Newton. This area will undergo many changes, but decisions on the scenery, wye vs. loop for turnaround, and building locations still have to be worked out.
Steel Mill relocation showing old location and track runs. (pls ignore the track on the far right as that is part of the route to Ashland )
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