intermodal yard

[Anonymous]

Hello, I've been trying to figure out the best way to model an intermodal yard. Should I have the freight come straight from the main line, or should I have a freight yard, and use a switcher to move the freight? I'm still in the early stages of planning my layout, and any help would be very helpful.
Thanks, Willjr

[ericsp]

I would guess either way would be prototypical. Just do whichever you like the best.

[DSchmitt]

The 2002 aerial photo linked below shows the connection of the former container facility at Empire California to he BNSF main line.

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=10&Z=10&X=3425&Y=20833&W=1&qs=%7cempire%7cca%7c

It was a very busy place in this 1998 photo:

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=12&Z=10&X=856&Y=5208&W=1&qs=%7cempire%7cca%7c

The facility was owned and operated by the Modesto and Empire Traction Co, although the only rail connection is to the BNSF and BNSF crews switched it.

When I visited the area a month ago it looked like it was being used to unload and possibly store some commidity (I couldn't tell what) carried in open hoppers. There were also quite a few tank cars at the north end of one of the track .

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DSchmitt

The 2002 aerial photo linked below shows the connection of the former container facility at Empire California to he BNSF main line.

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=10&Z=10&X=3425&Y=20833&W=1&qs=%7cempire%7cca%7c

It was a very busy place in this 1998 photo:

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=12&Z=10&X=856&Y=5208&W=1&qs=%7cempire%7cca%7c

The facility was owned and operated by the Modesto and Empire Traction Co, although the only rail connection is to the BNSF and BNSF crews switched it.

When I visited the area a month ago it looked like it was being used to unload and possibly store some commidity (I couldn't tell what) carried in open hoppers. There were also quite a few tank cars at the north end of one of the track .

If I remember correctly, that was called Valley Lift and closed when the new Stockton Intermodal Facility opened.

Here is Southern Pacific's Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ITCF) in Carson, CA.
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=12&Z=11&X=482&Y=4676&W=3&qs=%7cCarson%7cCA%7c
North end connection
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=10&Z=11&X=1931&Y=18717&W=3&qs=%7cCarson%7cCA%7c
South end
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=10&Z=11&X=1933&Y=18706&W=3&qs=%7cCarson%7cCA%7c

BNSF's Stockton facility
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=12&Z=10&X=826&Y=5245&W=3&qs=%7cempire%7cca%7c
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.899399,-121.166153&spn=0.029182,0.044117&t=k&hl=en

BNSF's Fresno facility
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=11&Z=11&X=634&Y=10162&W=3&qs=%7cFresno%7cCA%7c
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.698134,-119.755161&spn=0.007296,0.011029&t=k&hl=en

SP's Fresno facility. UP closed it a few years ago. The intermodal terminal was the one closest to the ponding basins with the UPFE reefers (yellow roofs) on it.
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=10&Z=11&X=1226&Y=20376&W=3&qs=%7cFresno%7cCA%7c
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.788986,-119.855561&spn=0.007296,0.011029&t=k&hl=en

UP's Lathrop facility
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.844167,-121.263356&spn=0.014591,0.022058&t=k&hl=en

[dehusman]

It is probably more common for a train to spot its cars directly to a ramp and then also pull directly from the ramp.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your input. I will put this to good use.
Best wishes,
Willjr