I want to add the grain elevator but I need to know how far to put the siding from the main line. I am talking about the siding that goes through the shed on the side. Thanks.
Place it along the middle of the siding unless it is very long. The lesser of the distance from the shed (including the shed) to the end of the siding and the distance from the shed to the fouling point determine the number of cars that can service the elevator at a given time.
Mark
I guess I wasn't clear. I mean how many inches from the main line so it will clear the main. However I did not give it much thought as to where on the siding so thanks.
I say a minimum of 8.5 scale feet (1.17 inches in HO scale) from the track center to the structure's edge. This figure is based on Southern Pacific RR common standard plans for tunnel portal and signal post clearances.
I went further with mine than what Mark posted. I went 1.25 inches from the main line.
Will
Strictly my O/P but it all depends on how much room you have to work with. If your tight for space then you'll need to cram it in where you can but if space is not a problem I go by just what looks good. I honestly don't think there is a "wrong or right" distance as in the prototype world things vary from place to place mainly i suspect do to simple topography of the land. Things like this I suspect would not be up to the railroad as they don't own the mills etc. just provide tracks to them at a price of course.
I gave a minimum distance. If there is room, I'd move industry further away from the main track.
The railroad has everything to say about what goes on its right-of-way, which typically extends many feet from the main track.
I would have to agree with Mark - 1-1.25" should be a minimum. Most R-O-W extends 25-50' from the centerline of the prototype trackage. In our model world, we usually do not have that kind of space to work with. As another poster mentioned, the loading/unloading shed should be centered on the siding. If the siding is 9 cars long, it should be right over the 5th car. This way the 'car puller' can move all of the cars through the shed. On larger elevators, a small switch engine is used to spot the cars as they go through the shed. My elevator has space for 3 empty cars(with one 'on spot' for loading. There is another 3 car lengths before the switch for the loaded cars to be moved to as the loading progresses. In reality, I just 'spot' the cars and move them by hand in between operationg sessions so they can be picked up by the local switch engine!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
jrbernier I would have to agree with Mark - 1-1.25" should be a minimum. Most R-O-W extends 25-50' from the centerline of the prototype trackage. In our model world, we usually do not have that kind of space to work with. As another poster mentioned, the loading/unloading shed should be centered on the siding. If the siding is 9 cars long, it should be right over the 5th car. This way the 'car puller' can move all of the cars through the shed. On larger elevators, a small switch engine is used to spot the cars as they go through the shed. My elevator has space for 3 empty cars(with one 'on spot' for loading. There is another 3 car lengths before the switch for the loaded cars to be moved to as the loading progresses. In reality, I just 'spot' the cars and move them by hand in between operationg sessions so they can be picked up by the local switch engine! Jim
But since we're talking about the ADM kit I have one question about it. Is the kit intended more for covered hoppers than box car era? The car shed doesn't look like it would be wide enough for a box car and unloading pit for unloading box cars of grain to store.