Good point..It would depend on era as well..
Let's look at the PikeStuff's Tri-Star Industries
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/541-20
Folks,A 53' trailer would overwhelm the receiving dock.
How so?
First,we need room for a office area,lunch room,rest rooms and of course production area.Doesn't leave much room for shipping and receiving does it?
Ah what to do?
Enter storage tanks.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/570-1018
Add one of these or both and the company can receive plasticizer in tank cars.
Add a silo and it can receive plastic pellets in covered hoppers..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
It seems to be the trend today to model large basic industries. I have no problem with that, it would provide many hours servicing these industries. I am thinking of Pittsburgh and how the PRR, B&E brought in coke, iron ore and other supplies. How the URR took them to the mills and the mills like USS (now USX), had their own railroad.
What I think is missing is what was along the Allegheny River. Smaller manufacturing plants that used the railroad. Example the company I worked for. National Alloy Division Blaw-Knox Co. We made alloy products to serve industry. It was not basic steel and wasn't very large. There were many other smaller companies that used the railroad. Since we as modlers have limited space, we are missing a chance to have various small companies that would use the railroad that wouldn't take a massive area of our layouts and give us variety and if you like switching then there would plenty of it.