Please Note: Yours truly models '50s - '60s. Some Industries listed may not fit modern layouts. This Industry idea developed because of the size/ shape of my new, very small, in-progress HO pike.
# 1. COAL & OIL DEALERSHIP... with a Twist or two: Zero elevation foreground main near layout edge, has short [1 - 2 car max.] oil tankcar off-loading spur w/ left facing points, branching off to right rear at approx. 45 degree angle. Twin large oil storage tanks, pumps, piping, catwalk, lights on poles for night work, truck fill standpipes, ladders. stairway, small pump control system shack, etc,. all sit parallel to left side of spur [with the exception of oil truck fill standpipes, which would obviously be located on right side of spur]. To right side of yard: Rear elevated main, (approx. 2 to 3" in HO) also w/ left facing points, branches off to right front area at approx. 45 degree angle, on wood coal trestle [open or covered type, holding 1 - 2 coal hoppers max.], which might have from 2 to 4 or more dumping bays between bents. Some delivered commodities could be: anthricite, soft coal, sand (for local highway dept. winter road use in colder climates or for local construction company use) and pea gravel, also for construction company use. It's Modelers Choice on the variety of delivered commodities! Wide-open center area of yard is itching for intense scenicing! Some ideas: Vertical rock face, concrete, stone or wood cribbing wall along rear, elevated main in yard area, allowing more depth. Coal/ oil delivery trucks (maybe painted in matching company colors), many large, red, wheeled fire extinguishers, some fire hydrants, plenty of busy workmen all over yard, lights on poles in coal trestle & office areas, wheeled coal conveyer, fence around property w/ large gate at main entrance, along adjacent road and track gates also, if desired. An employee parking area, small company office structure, trees, grass, bushes, drainage ditches, maybe a very small brook running through property, truck maintenance shed area w/ truck up on blocks, being repaired, large company sign over top of main entrance, etc. Hope this is inspiring to some modelers who are unsure about industry choices. TTFN.....papasmurf
Please check out the several other Unusual Industries, posted separately here.
FORGOT TO MENTION: Rear track could be deemed as another RR line with trackage rights granted by the foreground Road, to help justify why low elevation oil and high elevation coal deliveries are being made in this manner.....papasmurf
Sorta like the Ice house owned by the California Traction Company but also used for emergency re-icing by PFE, CCT used the back of the plant with the deck set at a lower elevation, with the front deck set to PFE specifications, this CCT connection also functioned as the interchange lead with the SP.
Dave