Hi
Well, most of us know what the AC is and looks like, so I won´t spend a lot of space explaining it. Just thanks to mr. Strang for excellent articles on the subject!
To my case; I consider modelling a Conrail (RIP) coal secondary somewhat like Ellsworth sec, based on the AC plan. What do You think about my few modifications, mainly from the operational point of view: First, I´d have to lower the center ridge, remove the center backdrop and daylight most of the track soaring above Searles yard. Since I´d have to build and operate the layout with the Searles side facing the wall (yep, sorry, no options for that) it would also be necessary because I couldn´t easily reach over the backdrop. That means Searles would have to be "down in a holler". Second, as economical as it is for a real railroad to run loads "mostly" downgrade to tidewater and utilities, who says it is more fun on a model railroad? So, I´d reverse the staging tracks; Pittsburgh (for loads) high, unmodelled coalmines low. Each and every unit train would still need to be ran around at the yard, and I´d like that. Can you imagine helpers being added at Searles and ran all the way to Burgess, on that daylighted track above Searles... I can! Third, I know the Ellsworth has some chemical industry, so I´d change the manifest/intermodal train to a wayfreight serving industries at Burgess, Searles and Idden (= Amstrongspeak for "hidden" tracks). That means all my visible industries would be served by tank cars and covered hoppers.
The continuous running would still exist on the secondary. That is something I will not do without.
So, I´m rather enthusiastic! Now all I need is some good constructive criticism, please!
V-P
Finland