Boise Idaho is home to the Morrison Knudsen company which rebuilt older locomotives and also had constructed their own branded locomotives. I am interested in modeling this plant and adding it to my future layout. The plant can be seen by searching google maps for 4600 Apple St, Boise ID or use the link below
https://www.google.com/maps/place/4600+Apple+St,+Boise,+ID+83716/@43.5588404,-116.1719942,282m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x54aef7eb4789b527:0xa53dc4827e10d354!8m2!3d43.5584645!4d-116.1712852
A fascinating large industry with three main buildings and several outbuildings!
I was able to find an example layout by designer Rob Chant that does a nice job of compressing and representing the industry. I'll probably follow his plan or modify slightly. You can review his layout and description here: http://www.jomrd.com/index.php?page=ViewByTag&ID=116
Add in:
Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" has an episode where he worked for a day at the MK facility. It is available for free on youtube (six segments). the start is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK1qI7dvs94
I plan to do a similar one modeled in Silvis Ill at the old Rock Island site. If I remember right it is called NRE.
Joe
There is a great example of a compact yet interesting locomotive repair/rebuild facility, very well suited to being on a model railroad, in Bethel Minnesota: Independent Locomotive Services Inc. It could be modeled almost full sized with nothing left out, and no selective compression, and still leave room for other things on a layout.
Some Google maps and Google images searches will show what I mean.
Dave Nelson
Thanks Dave, nice suggestion! Independent Locomotive Services could easily be incorporated into a layout with a much smaller footprint. Well worth a look if someone is considering a locomotive servicing facility!
I personally am leaning toward MK because it is an Idaho firm and am willing to designate significant real estate for the facility. MK rebuilt GP30s and GP35s to GP39Ms. I have a couple GP30s in my fleet which would be prototypic visitors to MK for rebuilding.