La Mirada, CA Industrial District Switching Project

[Trucklover]

As mentioned in my other thread, I came up with a small plan for 4 modules modeling a couple of the industries in the La Mirada Industrial District around the Airgas Facility, which is just West of the La Mirada Yard off the BNSF Mainline.

Ill start out with the module dimensions. I put #1, #2, #3, & #4 next to each module

#1 is a module that is 96" L x 24" W
#2 is a module that is 96" L x 24" W
#3 is a module that is 96" L x 24" W (this module has the end cut at a 45 degree angle
#4 is a module that is 82" L x 24" W

All track is Walthers Code 83. Turnouts are Walthers #6, Curved Turnout is a #7. Minimum Radius is 24"

**The top Orange rectangles that cross the Blue Rectangle on Module #1 are bridges. The Blue Rectangle is the Drainage Ditch. The Top Orange Rectangle will be one of the BLMA Concrete Segmental Bridges, the bottom Orange Rectangle a Plate Girder Bridge.
**All other Orange boxes are Buildings (each building has the company that occupies the building next to it)
**Red Lines are the BNSF Mainline. There are 2 Mainlines that run through, I have only included one
**Yellow Tracks are La Mirada Yard Tracks. The real yard has 8 tracks
**White Tracks are Run-Around's
**Blue Tracks are Yard Leads or other Leads for Switching

Here are some aerials of the industries I have put in the plan, ive labeled them in Google Earth






This is a link to Bing Maps Bird's Eye View of the area:
http://www.bing.com/maps/#JnE9LmxhK21pcmFkYSUyYytjYSU3ZXNzdC4wJTdlcGcuMSZiYj01MS41MzM3ODUxODU2MDk4JTdlLTc3LjUwNjg1ODgyNSU3ZTEyLjE2NDYxMDU0NDEwMTQlN2UtMTU5LjI0NTE0MDA3NQ==


I do need a little bit of help with this. The plan is not 100% to prototype, but it is pretty close for the most part, taking sections and putting them in the plan. I know something needs to be done with the yard too allow switching of the modules, but I cant figure out what needs to be added. The way I have it right now a train can pull out of the yard pulling a small cut of cars, using the yard lead on Module #1, then back up onto Module #2 on the other yard lead. From there it can travel forward and go down to Module's 3 & 4. I put a Run-Around down there (white track) that isnt on the prototype but is needed for the model to operate.

What I need to figure out is how to get cars over to the Airgas Facility. What and where can I put in the yard to make a run-around so I can get to the Airgas Facility without pulling straight into the track and stranding the engines? I also will have a problem switching Weber Distributors and Rohm & Haas Co., with the same problem as the Airgas Facility, stranding the engines behind the cars when pulling straight into the sidings.... If anyone can help me place a turnout or 2 in the yard to solve these problems, I would greatly appreciate it. The trackplan is attached below

[Trucklover]

I did get a run-around in for the Weber Distribution and the Rohm & Haas Co. sidings. The white tracks are the run-arounds, which could be used either way to get the locomotives around 2-3 cars at a time.

I still need to figure out how to get a run-around somewhere up in the top to access the Airgas Facility siding without getting the locomotives stranded, any ideas for this would be appreciated

[Trucklover]

This will be the last addition to the plan. I added 2 smaller modules to the left past Airgas to get 5 more industries in there.

Module #1 is 78" L x 24" W
Module #2 is 45" L x 24" W and is at a 45 degree angle
Module #3 is 96" L x 24" W
Module #4 is 96" L x 24" W
Module #5 is 96" L x 24" W and is at a 45 degree angle
Module #6 is 82" L x 24" W

Industries are marked on the plan. Complete Environmental Products is an industry that no longer received rail traffic. The switch is partially torn out, which will make for a fantastic detail i think! Magestic Management also does not receive any rail traffic, so its siding is used for additional Hopper Storage for Spartech Plastics. US Gypsum received boxcar loads and has a large concrete loading dock. Pactiv Advanced Packaging Solutions is another Plastics company. There are several boarded up cargo doors along the back of the building, and I believe they only receive hopper cars down at the other end of the building, which will not be modeled. The 3 storage tanks will be built but again, they are no longer used. Exterior Piping and boarded cargo doors will be modeled on this one.

With the additions of the 5 new industries, I really need to figure out what to do with the yard to allow for a good sized run-around so that the locomotives will not get stranded either by Airgas or by Spartech Plastics. Any help or advise as to where to put one would be appreciated.

This will be the last addition to the plan. I added 2 smaller modules to the left past Airgas to get 5 more industries in there.

Module #1 is 78" L x 24" W
Module #2 is 45" L x 24" W and is at a 45 degree angle
Module #3 is 96" L x 24" W
Module #4 is 96" L x 24" W
Module #5 is 96" L x 24" W and is at a 45 degree angle
Module #6 is 82" L x 24" W

Industries are marked on the plan. Complete Environmental Products is an industry that no longer received rail traffic. The switch is partially torn out, which will make for a fantastic detail i think! Magestic Management also does not receive any rail traffic, so its siding is used for additional Hopper Storage for Spartech Plastics. US Gypsum received boxcar loads and has a large concrete loading dock. Pactiv Advanced Packaging Solutions is another Plastics company. There are several boarded up cargo doors along the back of the building, and I believe they only receive hopper cars down at the other end of the building, which will not be modeled. The 3 storage tanks will be built but again, they are no longer used. Exterior Piping and boarded cargo doors will be modeled on this one.

With the additions of the 5 new industries, I really need to figure out what to do with the yard to allow for a good sized run-around so that the locomotives will not get stranded either by Airgas or by Spartech Plastics. Any help or advise as to where to put one would be appreciated.


Here is also some new pictures from Google Earth showing the proto locations of each industry

[Gary S]

Josh, your research and design skills and dedication to the hobby always impress me. I enjoy seeing your work, and it definitely helps me in thinking about my layout. Thank you for sharing.

[nachoman]

HAHA! That area looks tailor-made for a switching layout. Plenty of industries, high density, sharp curves, and has some track arrangements that I didn't think existed in real life. I am looking at the industrial track near the pushpin that says "drainage ditch", how it is almost perpendicular to the BNSF mainline! I thought only model railroaders squeezed in tracks like that!

[Trucklover]

Josh, your research and design skills and dedication to the hobby always impress me. I enjoy seeing your work, and it definitely helps me in thinking about my layout. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Gary!!

I know ive posted some plans in the past, and those have been really just for future reference and something that I hope to do in the future. Truth is, living at home and not having a place of my own for a layout is pretty harsh, and it kills me to make these plans (especially the Steel Mill and my M&ET plans) and not being able to make them a reality right now is hard LOL

This is a small enough project for me to tackle right now, and I can store these on my wall in my room when not in use. It will crowd my room, but I think this is the best approach I have right now and will offer quite a bit of building and operating fun. Its realistic for me right now, so im pulling the trigger with this one. The combination of this area being close to where I live and the fact that its modern era and combines many different industries in one small area is what I really like about the La Mirada Industrial District. Plus I have Rob (who I quoted above) that works for BNSF and has experience working the La Mirada Industrial District that said he will do his best to help me out and answer whatever he can means I have first hand experience!

Ill take this one module at a time, starting with the yard and working my way left.... I got one module to work with right now that I can clear and start laying some yard tracks down with. So we will see how this goes

[Trucklover]

HAHA! That area looks tailor-made for a switching layout. Plenty of industries, high density, sharp curves, and has some track arrangements that I didn't think existed in real life. I am looking at the industrial track near the pushpin that says "drainage ditch", how it is almost perpendicular to the BNSF mainline! I thought only model railroaders squeezed in tracks like that!

LOL yes, there are some spots with some complicated trackwork in there, I was quite surprised at some of the layout myself. And I agree with you, alot of industries in a rather small space with tight trackwork makes for some switching fun. Ill be using GP60M locomotives to switch which are 4-axle engines, just like the prototype does. With this in mind, I still kept to a 24" minimum radius throughout the plan.

[Russ Bellinis]

Josh, I would switch out Air Gas and the industries beyond it directly from the yard. Put an engine escape on a couple of the yard tracks and bring the train out of the yard with the engine behind. any pick ups can be pulled back into the yard and the engine use the escape to get back out. Switch the other branch where you have run arounds with a different train. Your area is so compact that you are really talking about switching runs that only go a few blocks on your model. I'm not sure but I think you are showing an area that would be covered by a square 1-2 miles by 1-2 miles, so pushing the train from the yard in either direction would not be unreasonable.

[Trucklover]

Josh, I would switch out Air Gas and the industries beyond it directly from the yard. Put an engine escape on a couple of the yard tracks and bring the train out of the yard with the engine behind. any pick ups can be pulled back into the yard and the engine use the escape to get back out. Switch the other branch where you have run arounds with a different train. Your area is so compact that you are really talking about switching runs that only go a few blocks on your model. I'm not sure but I think you are showing an area that would be covered by a square 1-2 miles by 1-2 miles, so pushing the train from the yard in either direction would not be unreasonable.

Hmmm thanks for the idea Russ. The only thing im not going to like is that its going to take up quite a bit of track at the end to put some crossovers in there. I could use the top 2 yellow tracks for the Airgas and industries behind it, and then the rest of the yard tracks for the other industries...

I know this isnt prototypical, but what about putting a transfer table in at the end of the yard?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-2968

I would probably have to put one GP60M on the table at a time because I dont think both would fit on the table, but this would be a good way to save some valuable yard space... Your opinions welcome

[Russ Bellinis]

Josh, your typical train for that layout will probably be 5-6 cars, no more than 10 cars max. I'm not sure how long your yard tracks are, but You would only need to leave enough room to fit a locomotive and clear the switch.

[Brakie]

Very nice plan..I'm beginning to like these "modern" theme ISLs.

[cnw1961]

La Mirada is a very good choice, it really deserves to be modeled. These modules will be fun to build and operate. I hope to see you starting to build them soon.

[Trucklover]

Josh, your typical train for that layout will probably be 5-6 cars, no more than 10 cars max. I'm not sure how long your yard tracks are, but You would only need to leave enough room to fit a locomotive and clear the switch.

Good point Russ. I thought of another idea as well, I could put a crossover in at the end of the yard and make a short little removable extension that could be added when needed the top 2 tracks in the yard to allow the 2 locomotives to get all the way through the crossing, which would also save me some extra room in the yard for a couple more cars per track. Will add the crossovers in and then post a pic

Larry and Kurt, thank you guys. Im hoping to get another job in the next couple weeks, so hopefully ill be able to jump into this pretty quick here. I have one module I can start working on now, and im planning to start with the yard module, so all I need to do is start laying the Central Valley Tie Strips and then glue in the ME rail and ill officially be started with the project. But before that, I need to modify the module to allow for locking pins when joining the modules together and also add some foldaway legs to the bottom

[Trucklover]

Okay, so here it is with the crossover added in on the Top Yard Track. This will allow the GP60M's to either run around the cut of cars on the 1st or 2nd track. I also added in another crossover on the 2nd track which will allow the GP60M's to run around the cut of cars on the 2nd or 3rd tracks. Tracks 1 & 2 will be used for industries to the left of Latex International. Track #3 can be used for any industry on the plan. Tracks 4 & 5 will be used for World Marketing through Georgia Pacific.

Ive also added in a WYE Turnout next to Rohm & Haas Co. This provides me with the track that the GP60M's and cabooses can been seen when they are being stored when not in use. This track is highlighted in purple. With the addition of the WYE, I had to re-arrange the turnouts around it. This allowed me to spread out Tropical Asphalt to take up a little more of the open space and extend the tracks to hold more 2-bay covered hoppers. Let me know what you guys think

[Trucklover]

I had some more suggestions from a member on another forum who has actually worked the La Mirada area a couple times, this was his reply along with his modifications are attached below. My changes to the plan are in the attached picture below after my reply

Josh
Hopefully this ones in color so you can see it better! Couldn't resist doing sometime doodling w/ your track plan. Forgive the crudeness - haven't learned CAD yet. LOL Basically took the runaround & put it off the left side of the yard. This way you don't need the Xovers in the yard. Also put one between the main & yard lead for your consideration. Also made a couple of changes to the industry spurs to make things less complex & easier to switch - hopefully. Moved the tail of the loco/caboose track so you'd have room for the yard office.

http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/foru ... 1277747818

GREAT modifications Andy! Thank you for taking the time to fiddle around with my plan, I think I have it set in stone now! You were right, I am able to remove the crossovers at the end of the yard and eliminate the need for the small short removable tracks. It is now possible for a train to be switched anywhere on the layout from anyone of the yard tracks. Im kinda drifting away from the prototype with this plan, but I think there will still be enough parts to model and keep prototypical to suit my needs/wants

There should be plenty of run-arounds now. I also added a Double Slip in there by Airgas on the bridge and added a 3-Way turnout for the start of the yard ladder. Connected to the mainline and in turn this made another run-around and more switching and operations for the layout. Shortened the loco/caboose track and added the yard office in there. Re-arranges the tracks around Weber Distribution, Rohm & Haas Co., and World Marketing Inc. Either one of the Weber or Rohm Tracks can be used as leads to switch out World Marketing.

Now what do you guys think, anything else you see that could possibly make this a little better operation wise?