Automotive Based HO Layout

[wesleyl849]

I am wanting to build a layout based on the automotive industry and related manufacturing businesses. I have the space for a large layout. I have started a collection of autoracks and am looking to buy a few automax cars. I want to model the yards where automobiles meet trains and the surrounding building. I understand that this will take large radius curves. (22" and greator). Running these large cars is important.

Has anyone attempted anything of this nature and what tips do you have?

Do you know of a published track plan that meets what I am looking for?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hi Wesley--

I have some automotive components on my layout. I run a lot of autoracks and 85 foot boxcars. I have a 30" minimum radius (most curves are 32") and my equipment runs well. 22" is not my idea of a large radius curve. I would stay with no less than a 26" minimum radius.

Jim

[Anonymous]

Try the May and June 1997 issues of Model Railroader for track plans.

[rackman]

>>Do you know of a published track plan that meets what I am looking for?

Sure! Get a copy of Kalbach's classic book "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" by the late, great John Armstrong. In the chapter entitled "Case History of a Track Plan" you will find a track plan for the Saint Clair South Western Railroad, a freelanced road serving the auto industry in the greater Detroit, Michigan area. It's an awesome trackplan for a 9-ft. x 24-ft. space that should be just what you are looking for.

>>Has anyone attempted anything of this nature and what tips do you have?

My advice for HO is to stick with minimum 30" radius curves or better (36" radius would be ideal) with easements to handle your autoracks and 86-ft. hycube boxcars. Also, use gentle vertical grade transitions so that the long overhang cars won't bypass couplers and accidentally uncouple.

Also, check out Jim Hediger's article entitled "Railroads in the Automobile Age" in the May and June 1997 Model Railroader magazine. Model Railroader has back issues for sale on their web site.

Good luck!

Yours truly,

Rackman

[Jetrock]

Having seen the real thing from Amtrak's tracks in the East Bay, I can tell you that such facilities are generally BIG. Walthers makes a kit for the ramps used at such facilities, which helps matters.

A lot depends on whether you want your facility to be foreign or domestic. If foreign, you'd want to model a shipping/dock type area, where cars are off-loaded, a big warehouse, and the loading tracks. For a domestic manufacturer one could model part of the car factory/assembly line and the loading area.

One could either model it as a big shelf layout, or feasibly as a "4x8 with a scenic divider down the middle" type pike (maybe bigger due to your desire for nice broad curves). On one side, include a big, big flat of the warehouse/factory and the loading tracks (a couple stub switches with the loading ramps on the ends) and maybe a runaround track. On the other side, an off-loading area (a big car dealership or distributor) would be appropriate--one could also include some sort of metal or plastic fabrication facility to deliver parts to the factory for some two-way action (drop off cars filled with parts on track 1, drop off empties to be loaded with cars on track 2, reverse the process on the other side.)