Military layouts...

[Tracklayer]

I was thumbing through one of the new Walther's catalogs the other day and saw a number of military and World War Two cars and layout items. I think one was even a military base if memory serves me right.

Is there anyone out there that actually has a military layout ?.

Tracklayer

[DrummingTrainfan]

I've planned out (in my head, I should probably write it out) a module-type thing that would be a huge Navy/Marines base, it would hook up to the big layout if I wanted to run military trains in-and-out, but that could also stand alone for easier storage.

[jeffers_mz]

My son (11) has pretty much the full line of Model Power military locomotives and cars, plus maybe a battalion of HO men and vehicles, armored and otherwise. We picked up a lot of tanks and jeeps for much less than the Walther's list prices for modern equipment by using roughly matching sized toiys instead of designated HO scale models. For comparison, Walther's wants $11 for an Abrams, we got them for a buck each. Not prototype, but for an 11 year old, perfect.

The plan is for all the buildings on the layout to be removable, fixed in place with pins instead of glued down. Some days, you'll walk in and see Silverton as of 1890 filling the valley, other days, you'll see a sprawling military base with command offices, motor pool, ammo dumps, barracks, and controlled access instead. Two ideas spring from there. One, static front lines up around where the mining area normally lives, minimal enemy emplacements, the trains used to keep supplies and ammunition flowing to the front. Not very sexy, but mcuh more prototypical than option two, using the mines as the enemy base and actually conducting combat operations with the trains. After a couple iterations, I doubt option two will see much play, because with the track fixed, the possibilities for suprise attacks using trains is finite and limited.

Because a railroad is capable of supporting a very effective logistical supply operation, and because logistics are the core determinants for most battles and wars, one area that should be addressed is MOW operations. Expect your fixed installations, yards, tracks, junctions, locomotives, servicing facilities etc, to become popular targets. The crews that fix these things when they are broken will become targets too. Consider some variant of the Stinger equipped Humvees for air defence for the work crews, and that, along with standard rifles, an M-60 team, a thumper or mortar tube, maybe a couple Mark 19 crews for the well heeled army, and good comms with an in range firebase ought to keep the guys busy fixing track instead of fighting off sappers.

[ChessieFan13]

seeing as I also am into ww2 history I have toyed around with the idea of a military layout ...........think it would be cool............German locos pulling a long haul of Tigers and Panthers headed to the Eastern Front..............very cool........J.W.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, Dawg is working on a 7/8N2 layout that will be based in the WWII era. His theme is working in and around a TNT storage bunker in the 1930s. Maybe he will see this and chim in. Really nice work.....check it out.
Just click on "my layouts" in the upper left corner, then scroll down and click on page 3.

http://www.dawgstrainhouse.com/

[Anonymous]

I always wanted to build a branch line to a Marine base out in th middle of the desert. One of those bases that nobody exactly know what goes on out there.[alien]

[Anonymous]

well, since everything is ww2 or later, i really can't put anything on mylayout in terms of Military hardware. was thinking an airstip, but then I'd have to either manufacturer or try and find post-ww1 and pre-ww2 biplanes.

So until such time as i feel comfortable making N-Scale bi-planes, it ain't happening.

[Anonymous]

Every layout from 1938 to 1948 is a WWII layout. From before the firs shots in Poland the world was getting ready for war. The railroads were the most important method of moving persons and material overland in every region involved in the war. After hostilities ended it took years to move all the people and material back "home". Surplus material could show up here and there for years later.

[SSW9389]

A part of our HO layout in Radcliff, KY is called Fort Gold. It depicts an army base and specifically the rail loading point. Right now it is filled with flatcars with tanks on them.
Radcliff is adjacent to Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Ed Cooper
Radcliff Model Railroad Association

[Bill H.]

QUOTE: Originally posted by The Duke

I always wanted to build a branch line to a Marine base out in th middle of the desert. One of those bases that nobody exactly know what goes on out there.[alien]

Hmmmm.... Maybe trains pulled by unmarked locomotives, consisting of mysterious tarp covered flatcars, Unmarked containers and a car or two for unidentified armed escorts, at the head and tail of the train... Hmmmmm...

Base could be rather plain, surrounded by barbed wire, fencing, warning signs, checkpoints, surveliance equipment of every kind and more armed guards.

[Anonymous]

In 1999 I went to a train show in St Pete Fl. The sponsoring club had a open house a couple of blocks away. I should have taken pictures. They had a military transport train that must have been over two yards long. The layout was in something like a self storage complex only with bigger units and in this case the units contained different businesses. The club meeting room was over the n scale layout and looked out over the ho layout. A military train would look great. I wonder if American railroads ever considered building an armoured train for use in the US or to ship overseas. Phil

[tjsmrinfo]

as i served in both the cold war and peace time 86-92 97-2000 i did several rail loads plus as an over the road truck driver i saw military trains. if you model the modern era the appropriate apc and tanks will be in 1 train while the support units will be in another.
also if you model the modern era TTX 85 ft flats will be needed but you will need 2 sets if you attach the military vehichles o it, this is so you can run militaryn trains 1 time and other loads/empties another.

hope this helps

tom

[Anonymous]

I have a heavyweight all pullman built from walthers heavy weight line. While still missing a few cars yet to be released, I consider the train ready to haul troops. It will be one of the tasks sceduled for it.

I did examine equiptment that can be hauled and maybe one day have a modern day set on a bunch of flatcars. But that is still into the future.

[Budliner]

MR did an artical on repainting some millitary vehicles
they looked awsome and can be had very cheap


no army things here


K

[Anonymous]

We need some model shackle boxcars.

[leighant]

I am posting just one image, plus links to the "Lighter than Air Railroad" my Navy blimp base layout, so people who have already seen it won't have to wait for everything to load to read other posts on this thread.



Railroad entry gate to base, and fuel dump spur.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/aab.jpg
End loading ramp, helium containment tank and Navy stores warehouse behind Vehicle maintenance building.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/abj.jpg
Blimp’s eye view of entire 2’ x 3’ layout
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/aaa.jpg

[JohnT14808]

I have been attempting to put together a "military train" with flat cars of American equipment, but there seems to be a REAL lack of 1/87 sized American gear. You can find a LOT of German stuff, but just getting a couple of M4 tanks I had to order the complete flat car sets from Walthers ( Model Power with crappy trucks and couplers). I almost threw the flat car away, and used just the tank, but I didn't.
Then, this winter in the the mailout catalog, Walthers had a set of three M4 tanks for a good price. I immediately ordered a set....I'm still waiting for them. It's been about 42 days and two phone calls so far ( I have already received all the other items I ordered with the tanks...) And to find an American artillery piece, or a Jeep. Forget it!! The catalogs show nice pictures, but getting them in hand is a real problem. Roco seems to be the best supplier, but even a direct order to them came back with Not in Stock, so what's a modeler to do?

[roadrat]

While sitting in my truck one day waiting to get unloaded[banghead] I had this idea for throwing a loop into an operating session " Operation Rolling Thunder " a military exercice involving the massive movement of tanks, humvees ,trucks,artillery,containers
it would be a simulated attack on the west(or east) coast. all other trains must clear the main, pure havoc for your dispatcher, what fun!!!

[Anonymous]

I heard from an old Marine tank that they used to load up the tanks on a train, in Boise I think, and the train took them out to the middle of nowhere for training. I don't know if they still do that, but I think so.

[Anonymous]

The military uses locomotives for local duties, also.

Here in NJ is the US Navy's Earle Weapon Station. They use 1st generation diesels, VO-1000, SW900, SW1200 and 80 Ton. They carry ammunition from an inland storage area out to a long pier for loading onto the warships or the supply vessels.

Parts of the right of way is elevated, crossing highways and such.

And, the Army operates yards for shipping equipment overseas. Now closed, was the MOTBY (Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne Yard) in Bayonne NJ. Trains would come and go all time with every possible load. Steamers and diesels, with local Army switchers assigned to the yard. The place crowded with equipment waiting to be loaded onto ships. Pick any kind of loads you want, and paint them olive drab.

Greg

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bukwrm

Every layout from 1938 to 1948 is a WWII layout. From before the firs shots in Poland the world was getting ready for war.

yes, but every miltary scaled model focuses on 1941 on, the US did not have mono-wing planes till 1940, and jeeps popped up in late 1940. other notible items didn't even show up till 1942 and 1943, so anyone focuing on the US pre-10941 really doesn't have anything available unless they hand craft them.

For those focusing on Europe, then there's a pletora of equipment available from about 1935 on.

[icmr]

I think one would be nice. Just think of all the traffic it would generate.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I am working on a military layout. It is going to be a German town under siege by Allied forces. It is going to be small, only about 3 ft by 3 ft, but I plan on making other battle scenes the same size to attatch to each other. It is going to be good, as soon as I get started.[:D]