Also added, but not in the initial rough plan, was the Marine Logistics Base. This provides a nice switching detail for one person and could keep them busy for a good half hour (that's how long it took me to switch out 8 cars and put in 7 new ones). It would be on its own DCC power district or kept in DC mode until I get a USMC DCC 44 Ton switcher. I have a GE 60 Ton switcher the PM will loan them in DC for the time being. Darn Jarheads keep breaking the equipment!
Still one thing to consider is possibly signals at he Leonard Crossing. This is where the GTW has trackage rights on the PM to Port Huron and back (from Pontiac via PO&N). This could also add some running time to the line for trains waiting for the signal to clear before proceeding. The short stub end staging at Leonard crossing represents the Caseville turn coming back. It would be hidden behind the backdrop and trees.
Turnouts- I am thinking of purchasing the Fast Tracks #5, #6, to hand make T.O.s. Anyone else have this set up? As far as turnout machines go, I will probably make all crossovers powered by the few Tortoise SMs I have and perhaps some stationary decoders for the future. The staging yard will be Tortoise SMs and I would like the ability to do route selection on the through tracks. Small cheap wireless cameras and an old PC may come in handy for the staging yard and "dispatch" if I choose to man that in the future.
For the most part, track warrants (like GTW) and train orders will govern the movement of trains during an operating session, otherwise I'll just let them fly or just make up switch lists to relax. The only timetable train will be the PM Passenger trains. Now to find a nice Pacific and some varnish!
Open areas would be wooded areas, orchards, and farmland. Not all buildings and structures are pictured and some things may change. The east end of the yard has a loco / car shop there for a small industry.
Anyway, looks like the hard work of construction could start this month at a slow pace. It will be hard to squeeze in during the busy end of year stuff, but I need to get something going here.
List of Industries
ALMONT
Grain Elevator- grains, seeds, fertilizer, farm implements
Aeromotive Specialties- chemicals, granule plastic, goods
J & D's Pickles and Produce- fruit, pickles, apples, etc.
MOORE YARD
Lapeer Locomotive Rebuilders- Metal, motors, oil, heavy machinery, railroad eqpt.
Joe's Toys- wood, plastic, sheetmetal
Engine Terminal- Oil, diesel fuel, coal, machine parts, sand, ash, wood
Great Lakes Marine Corps Reserve Logistics Base- liquid fuels, oil, food, meat, lumber, military supplies, munitions, vehicles, tops secret supplies (mystery boxcars), and other materials.
PM Roster Modern Era
GP-38-2- #s 100, 101 (ex-C&0 7828)
GP-35 # 350
GP-30 #s 300, 301
GP-7 #s 700, 701
SW-9 # 55
SW-1 # 10
GE 60 Ton (leased to USMC)
E-7 #96 excursions
2-8-4 # 1236 excursions
SD-40-2 (ex UP) 1928, 1932 (wish list)
PM Steam Era Roster
2-8-2 #s 1022, 1023, 1034, 1024
2-8-4 #s 1209, 1236
0-8-0 #s 1409, 1409(new extra, no DCC for sale $120.00)
GP-7 #s 700, 701
SW-1 # 10
E-7 #96
USMC Roster
GE 44 ton (wish list)
GTW Roster
Qty
GP-40 2
GP-38 4
SD-40 2
2-8-2 2
GP-9
S-2
Well, that sums up what I can start up with (with exception of wish list items). Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Any good ideas on a turntable??? 100' would be perfect, but 90 would work too.
Dan
