While looking for some inspiration for a section / modular N-scale project I was looking at the plan for the Free Haven Terminal by Russell Schoof in the book 48 top notch trackplans. It is a plan for a harbor railroad. I think the plan was published in MR around the mid or maybe late eighties and the book first in 1993.
I wonder if somebody ever build it?
Also, I had my cm/inch tape out to check some measurements but is the scale drawing off? I make it 15x16 ft at 1/2 '' = 1 foot but the article says 10x11. It is late here though, 3.17 am so I might be wrong.
Sorry I missed this post first time around, Russell Schoof's Free Haven terminal is one of my favorite published track plans, as I wrote in my blog a while back. With Model Railroader magazine's permission, I published an image of the plan with that blog entry.
I never noticed the scale discrepancy before, but you are correct. I don't have a copy of the orignal article in MR magazine (October 1990), but it may be that the plan was reproduced in a different size in 48 Top Notch Track Plans without changing the scale legend.
Scaling from the labeled curve radii in 48 Top Notch Track Plans, it seems to be 1:16 scale, 3/4" equals 1 foot. That would make the overall dimensions work out to 10'X11' as stated.
As I noted in my blog, a group of French modelers has replicated many of the elements of the Free Haven terminal in an N scale modular layout called the Free Heaven Harbor Terminal. Here's a photo from their site.
Wonderful layout!
If I were building Schoof's original plan, I would make some changes. I think the staging is a little challenging versus placing the staging behind a removable backdrop. I would also rework the way the path to staging goes through the freight house, perhaps add a car float for interchange, and maybe try to work in a yard lead so two crews could operate more easily at once. All in all though, a pretty neat plan.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Hi Byron,
Somehow I missed your reply! Staging is not a problem. I will build this in N-scale on modules following my group's standard, see www.america-n.de. At home it will be located in the living room and there is plenty of space in the direction the staging track goes (in front of windows) for a removable staging yard.
I would like to include a mainline around the yard, probably elevated, in place of the large industries (I don't think I will be able to have the industries too and be able to move the segments all by myself).
A yard lead is definitely a must, I'm thinking of having the track to staging go to the mainline and the yard lead beside it but I have not gotten around to plan that end yet.
The various piers are interesting but I think it is not possible to include all of it but thanks to modules I can exchange them easily and thus also include a carfloat.
greetings,
Marc
Marc, I only found your original posting and replied a few days ago. I think rail-marine is a very interesting concept for a model railroad (I'm using it for my own layout). The french modelers whose site I linked to have done a beautiful job with their modules, there may be some ideas for you there.
I think you are right to keep the weight and overall size of the modules in mind as you plan and I would definitely consider a yard lead if you will have multiple operators working at one time in a small area. Best of luck!