has anyone heard of this layout?

[doanster]

I read in a book a long time ago about a small shelf-style switching layout called something like the "Norwest Industrial"... it had a blue switcher with that name on it. It was in a book with a bunch of other layout projects. Anyways, I am interested in that track plan... any clues would be great!

[cuyama]

The book you are thinking of is Mat Chibbaro's Model Railroading in Small Spaces (Kalmbach, 1998). It may be out of print, but there are used copies for sale on amazon.com.

The design itself is a variation of Linn Westcott's "Switchman's Nightmare", which is Plan # 6 in 101 Trackplans for Model Railroaders (Kalmbach, 1956). Although most of the designs in this book are pretty dated, the book continues to be available from Kalmbach.

Good luck,

Byron
http://www.modelrail.us

[doanster]

Thanks!
That book happens to be available at my library, altho for some reason they decided to trash a bunch of older books, including the "101 Track Plans for Model Railroaders"... what a shame