If you are going to have a Intermodal Terminal On your Layout then you should model a Truckstop !

[Anonymous]

With waitresses running around and sounds of trucks idleing over night!
Where else are your trucker going to spend the night...

[Anonymous]

Yes, a truck stop would be good to have near a busy intermodal facility and i'd have one but have no room.

[Anonymous]

Not a bad idea at all. A simply diner with truck parking in the back will suffice. I suppose some of the more adventorus modelers might detail some of the daily activity (OR night activity) I might say.

Dont forget the rubber in the pavement on both sides of the diner.. it is difficult to execute a stop from 55 mph to a speed safe for manuvering in gravel within a few hundered feet loaded.

Lots of gravel and some earth dirt color to represent dry mud holes.

Western Truck Stops are sometimes all dirt with very enormous holes large enough to hide entire automobiles dug by the tandem axles as they constantly turned in and out of thier parking areas.

Most truck stops have a western union, fuel, store, diner and various rather cross section of travelers of every stripe from Bums to business attire all the way to the drivers themselves.

I myself am modeling a team track area, dedicated LCL ternimal, Piggy Back Yard and have a few other rigs here and there taking care of other industries on the railroad. You dont need alot of space or alot of trucks to have a decent herd on your layout.

Dont forget "Red Sovine" "Teddy Bear" floating gently from the Juke Box in the corner.

See ya all on the flip side.

[dwRavenstar]

The small scattering of buildings such as the diner, store, fuel depot etc. could be represented with simple facades at the back edge of the layout and a parking area in front. Maybe model the backs of the structures and the activity expected there. [}:)]

dwRavenstar

[Medina1128]

WE got us a CONVOY!! And don't forget the 'lot lizards'.. [:)]

[GAPPLEG]

See my small trucktop on my layout, not completely done, 3 rd. page.

new pictures posted last week, truckstop photo removed, why did I do that ?[:o)][:o)][:o)][:o)]

[Jetrock]

Remember, railroaders need a place to stop for lunch too...the railroaders' "beanery" or local roadhouse is a great little bit to model...often railroad crews would pay local kids a quarter to keep an eye on the locomotive while they had lunch--although many such kids would probably have happily done so for free!

[tjsmrinfo]

depends on the era you model, most major truck stops like TA Pilot Loves Petro Flying J and a few others will have paved parking and well lit have stores and restaraunts shops in the same building with maybe a truck wash as a sepatate building. and you dont necessarily need an intermodal yard for a truck stop. if you travel say within 100 miles of where you live take note of the truck stops you see.

i should know this as i spent 5 years as an over the road truck driver.

i also think there was a link some time back about truck stops here may wanna do an advanced search


tom

[icmr]

I dont have the room for an Intermodal terminal but I will have a truckstop.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[Paul3]

Truck stops and intermodal terminals don't necessarily mix. The New Haven started hauling TOFC in 1937, and eventually built intermodal terminals in Boston, New York, Springfield, and Providence. And these terminals were in the middle of the city (or at least, in the middle of the NH's yards).

Looking at the photos and maps... A truck stop is no where to be found.

Paul A. Cutler III
*****************
Weather Or No Go New Haven
*****************

[Anonymous]

Alot of the business is done where the trucks are. While there may not be a "TRUCKSTOP" you had Roach Coaches (Lunch caterer), Hotdog wagon or a Philly Cheese steak trailer on a quiet side of a city block near warehouses etc.

Even a "Bullpen" that has 6 trucks in a fenced area waiting to be loaded will be sufficient to generate a sort of a truck stop like atmosphere with drivers telling stories, eating, wiping mirriors and playing cards.

Regarding the Lizards, alot of that has been cleaned up. But to be replaced with other activity that does not support a healthy lifestyle in some areas.

I remember a small diner near Cross Keys PA that was basically several very small buildings surrounded by trucks on a highway intersection near Gettysburg. (Or was it Hanover??) That would be an ideal little truckstop to model as the main building was little more than a counter top (with room for about 20 drivers) and a kitchen in the back.

Dont forget a Mobile Chapel Trailer next to the truck stop. They once were (And I think still is) a presence in some areas of the nation spanning several decades of service to the traveler.

[waltersrails]

truckstop does sound good

[Ibflattop]

You dont actually need a truckstop. Just have a Roadside diner with a couple of trucks in the parking lot. Kevin

[Eriediamond]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

Alot of the business is done where the trucks are. While there may not be a "TRUCKSTOP" you had Roach Coaches (Lunch caterer), Hotdog wagon or a Philly Cheese steak trailer on a quiet side of a city block near warehouses etc.

Even a "Bullpen" that has 6 trucks in a fenced area waiting to be loaded will be sufficient to generate a sort of a truck stop like atmosphere with drivers telling stories, eating, wiping mirriors and playing cards.

Regarding the Lizards, alot of that has been cleaned up. But to be replaced with other activity that does not support a healthy lifestyle in some areas.

I remember a small diner near Cross Keys PA that was basically several very small buildings surrounded by trucks on a highway intersection near Gettysburg. (Or was it Hanover??) That would be an ideal little truckstop to model as the main building was little more than a counter top (with room for about 20 drivers) and a kitchen in the back.

Dont forget a Mobile Chapel Trailer next to the truck stop. They once were (And I think still is) a presence in some areas of the nation spanning several decades of service to the traveler.

That was just east of Gettysburg on route 30. It's gone now. Used to be one of my stops on my way to Lancaster or Denver 20 some years ago. Was by there a couple of weeks ago.

[Anonymous]

That's a good idea. I personally don't want that on my layout, what with the lot lizards and all [:)]. Seriously though, most of the intermodal drivers are doing more or less regional or local deliveries. That's why they put them on the train to begin with, to alleviate the long haul stuff. They usually go home every evening. If you want a truckstop, go for it, but not just because you have an intermodal facility. Do it for all of the truckers on your layout.

Glenn

[Anonymous]

Its a good idea if you got the room to do it. My rail yard expandtion is incorperated that in my plans. Being a truck driver I model things like this.

[Ibeamlicker]

bump

[route_rock]

I once was a driver and I have seena lot of stops.You dont need to make a real big truck stop actually if you hav a small area. My favorite was a store in Poyen Arkansas that had a place for trucks to stop and looked like a modern little convienience store.However on the inside it looked like somehting out of the Waltons!
Lot lizards cleaned up? HA! Sorry anyhow no need to model them as the weathering would be a pain in the tookus.
For your jukebox selections may I suggest "Wolf Creek Pass","Of course convoy ( late 70's on) "Im a Truck"( hilarious song) Give me 40 acres and Ill turn this rig around! Phantom 309 and the one that will not leave a dry eye in the house if you play it around a bunch of old gear jammers and thats Giddy up go.
Also a good little scene to modle would be a small pick up with a bucn of polishing tools in it cruising the stop looking for the Rooster Crusiers to do a little shine job. BTW I am a former card carrying memeber of the Chicken Hauler Club. Only thing is my radio didnt do triple digits but my truck did. Have a safe one boys they need you back at the house. Dirty side down shiny side up we will see you some other day some other way, This is the Rocket Express going back quiet now we gone !

[Anonymous]

Some of the best stops are not necessarily "Truckstops". There are a few scenic places with a view, silence and a solitude that is quite useful for rest without the traffic noise. So if you saw several rigs packed in with blinds in the windows to keep out the light then they are resting.

Red Sovine Teddy bear is another that will turn on even the driest waterworks in the place.

[FRITSCHSR]

route_rock,
you said a mouthful, hand