Some more AN era northern region photos

Hi All

I came across, some interesting AN era shots, TAR, Northern Region, Broken Hill.
There is also some post AN shots, with ASR power.
Great for reference, and worth adding to your AN image Library.

Thanks to Bingley Hall, who seems to be a possible long lost brother of Mark Carter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markcarter/sets/72157627321383855/with/6764584193/

Enjoy

Scott

Outline of Alice Springs the layout proposed operations for Shelton

Hi All

I would like to follow up on this comment:
Hi Scott Any thoughts on how you will operate this layout? I am thinking more on the lines of a shunting theme ? Cheer Shelton on Alice Springs update

Well Shelton, here goes.
Obviously with effectively three loops,

Hugh River = the fiddle yard.
Bow Creek = first loop south of Alice Springs, in corporates, NT Government Cattle Sidings and Merrenie oil Sidings.
Alice Springs.

Operations between all these sidings will be under Train Order Operations, thus an Train order will have to be issued for any movement between any of these sidings.

Please refer to earlier post for details:

http://barcoola.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/barcoola-and-alice-springs-and-train.html

So for 1993 operations, I will break down what and how I intend to shunt each service:

#347 express goods and it southbound movement #166, This service includes:

Intermodal operations, TOFC and Container.

Oil Tankers, for the following sidings, BP, Caltex, Sadabin (mobile), Loco fuel for the Locomotive depot. Merrenie Oil sidings, this requires an additional shunt movement from Alice Springs to the Oil Sidings and return.

Cattle wagons for Bow Creek, again requires a shunt movement from Alice Springs to Bow Creek and return.

Van goods for the Goods Shed, the NTFS depot and a freight Forwarders depot on the industrial branch.

Open wagons for Steel distributors on the industrial branch, plus general goods.

Concrete wagons and flat wagons with concrete containers, for Adelaide Brighton Cement, on the industrial branch.

LP gas tankers, for Boral Gas and Kleen Gas sidings.

On arrival, the crew will need to call the Station Master to confirm the road that they need to put the train down, then the Mainline locomotives and relay vans need to be taken off the train an replenished at the locomotive depot and the carriage siding.

The intermodal wagons need to be positioned under the gantry or end loading platform as a priority.  I need two shunters to work Alice Springs, they will work both the Oil and cattle shunt movements and the industrial branch.  The shunters then need to shunt around the intermodal wagons to match the strip and back load.  I will be using shelving under the layout to swap out the trucks and containers.

After all this shunting has been done, the consist will have to be re-marshalled into the departure sidings, and mainline power and relay van attached.  A new brake certificate will need to be issued and the shunters will need to note any DG and load the wagon number and total tonnage into TIMS, the crew will have to repeat their tonnage figures and wagon numbers etc, prior to getting a TC12 and a Train Order.

The passenger service "the Ghan"

Will need similar servicing, including watering the coaches, and taking the Motorrail wagons to the end loading platform for unloading, and loading cars for the southbound trip.

Other extras are:

dedicated Cattle trains Dry Creek to Bow Creek and return.

#199 premium express goods.

It all depends how detailed we want to get in regard to operations, I will be issuing a Local Area Procedure for handling wagons in and around Alice Springs.  The original AN Appendix would have contained this information.

So Shelton, I hope this gives you a little insight into how I intend to operate Alice Springs, a town like Alice.

Thanks

Scott

Layout proposal Spencer Junction SA and Whyalla SA

Hi All

Below is another layout proposal, this is one I have been thinking about since I started modelling AN.

DL38 stands at the west end of Spencer Junction, with a CL and GM, on AP5, typical of the era.  At this time , Spencer junction as the point where a Relay van would be added, either at the lead or at the end of the train.

However modelling Spencer Junction is not a task to be taken lightly, Spencer Junction is a lot of real estate, and what is the key to this yard as it is today, is traffic from Whyalla, Whyalla provided products that needed to be distributed all over Australia.


Finished steel products for use at all corners of Australia, from the then BHP long products division.
Billet steel, for WA, VIC and NSW.
Rail products for use all over Australia, both rail and sleepers.
LP Gas for use West and North to Alice Springs.
Coking Coal, for use in Adelaide.
Containerised traffic.
During the Reign of AN, a Roadrailer service to and from Adelaide, for connection to points such as Port Lincoln.
A passenger Railcar service, the Iron Triangle.
Morrison Knudsen Australia MKA had a plant in Whyalla, which had rail access.
As it does now there are two trains a day, this is generally to service Whyalla's steel plant.
Thus lots of traffic.


All of this has to be distributed to various trains, thus lots and lots of work shunting empty wagons out and loaded wagons into various trains, heading east or west, north or south.
Through trains include.
PS2 SP3 #260, steel trains.
#305 Port Pirie to Port Augusta fuel train. This fuel would be distributed north and west as required
#405 Tea and Sugar slow mixed goods would also be marshalled here.
As would the Telford mixed.
#347 and #166 Alice Springs goods.
Perth - Adelaide Roadrailer service.
AP5 PA6 Westliner - Eastliner services.
SP5 PS6 express goods services.
Its worth noting that at the time AN worked on a horsepower per tonne ratio on express goods, thus at Spencer Junction, locomotive consist were regularly changed to reflect this horsepower per tonne policy, plus relay vans were added and removed at Spencer Junction.

This does not include any extras, such as:
Work trains going west, and east with ballast and concrete sleepers from Stirling North.


So this is all the good news, also Spencer Junction and Whyalla has not changed that much from the AN era. Thus would meet Glen's wish for ultra Modern capability.

Steel trains still operate to Whyalla, but under the guise of PN.
Along with PN services, there is also the other operators.
SCT, most of there services don't even stop at Spencer Junction, with the exception of their GP PG, XG services, and their shunt service operated by GWA, from Adelaide to Port Augusta.
QR National AP1 PA1.
GWA Intermodal and ore services, the intermodal services still stop to pick up and drop off LP Gas tankers, and RKDY's loaded with steel.


But this is all academic, as I had not figured out how to squeeze either Spencer Junction nor Whyalla into the space available for a Layout.


However my constant doddling finally paid off, and I figured out how to bend it around a corner.


Using the Fiddle yard from Barcoola, around the edges, then slot Spencer Junction against the side of the fiddle yard. Both ends of the fiddle yard are accessible thanks to a sneaky design which enables access to the thicker parts of the yard.

Inside the middle of the room, I manage to squeeze in, Whyalla, both the steel plant and a representation of the Yard. There is enough work in this yard to keep a couple of operators very busy.

both ends of the fiddle yard are visible by operators without the need to get out of the operating pit.

The yard can swallow trains of 26ft length plus. The fiddle yard is also 26ft minimum length per road. this sort of length is a good representation of a AN train.

The other thing that bugs me about layouts on the exhibition scene, is the 2 dimensionality approach, This design when folded out, will enable spectators walk right into the layout to look 180 degrees around. Literally immerse the spectator into the layout, experience all of the angles available by this design.

An now the down side:


This layout will swallow more rolling stock than Barcoola does now. If this got off the drawing board, I think I would have to sell a car!

With all the operational work required, I think this layout would easily need at least four operators to even get though one day shift. Not that that's a bad thing, just a point.


I would need to introduce as card system for proper operations.


Each set of trains would need to be correctly staged, before an operational session.


Its more work than Alice Springs!


Anyway, if you have the space and the rollingstock, I would Highly recommend modelling this operational example.

Two GMs split the sticks at the west end of Spencer Junction, with a empty ballast train for Whyalla.  The hut to the left, would be where staff would take and repeat train orders for trains within Spencer Junction.  This use was intermittent at this time, and not long after the hut was removed.  These signals are now controlled by ARTC in Adelaide, with LED filaments, one day they will work properly!  blink Blink...

Two GMs haul the first train of the day from Whyalla, into Spencer Junction.  At this point in the yard it splits and spreads out to accommodate additional service roads, for relay vans, service stock and rail loading areas etc.
The train is typical of the era, note the stack of AOOXs with a few VLCX's, and the big AHJL "big John" coke hoppers.
The yard bypass track is in the foreground.

A DL sneeks from Port Augusta to cross over Tassie Street, and into Spencer Junction.  The cross overs once installed here have been recently removed, thus a victim of this operation is one of the AN "no trespassing" sign.

A single GM on another up Whyalla goods, note the two WOAX's behind the locomotive, the the two AOOX's which seem to be loaded with pipes.

Mainline looking south towards Stirling North, the road bridge is national Highway 1.

From Lake Knockout, looking west.  The Pichi Richi trackage now occupies  the right side of the mainline.

An AL class working light back out of Spencer Juction, towards Pert Augusta Station.  The tracks to the left are heading towards Tassie Street yard.  In the background to the left is a standard consist of the era.  To the right is a work train, and ballast hoppers.  A DL and two GMs on a east bound goods, and to the right of that is disused signal cabin.

Lake knockout on a still day, CLP12 leads a EL, on a south bound Ghan.  Given that the plan has allocated 20ft for the Lake, a decent representation can be made.

A DL and CL transverse Lake Knockout, in the early morning, with a goods from Adelaide.  This train will consolidate with SP3 at Spencer Junction, for the trip west.  Note the ABFX the first waon on the train.  Also included is a AQYY, half loaded with Boxcar containers.

I had been raking my brain trying to shoe horn a version of Port August and Whyalla into the train room and this is how I did it.

Updated
Here is a link to the current ARTC track diagram of Spencer junction:
http://www.sa-trackandsignal.net/Pdf%20files/ARTC/AR084.pdf

The BHP Standard gauge shunter, DH6, I think a GE 44 tonner would be a great start to built one of these shunters.

A typical #171 heading to Whyalla, lots of open wagons.

Whyalla yard, looking north.

Google earth of Spencer Junction.

CLF2 at MKA's plant in Whyalla

EL and GM marshalled and ready to depart for Spencer Junction, at Whyalla, note the crane to the right, looks very similar to the one at Alice Springs.

A google earth view of Whyalla yard.

Enjoy this food for thought.

thanks

Scott

Alice Springs update

Hi All.

its been awhile between updates, but here is the progress of Alice Springs at the moment.

Alice Springs yard all "foamed" out.  Ready for the final fix.

The double sided boards ready for "foaming"  The left is the fiddle yard the right is for the mainline and a large bridge.  Similar to the one on Barcoola.

I have engineered a section between both sides of the board, with a 6mm gap in the middle, this slot will enable easy installation of the backdrop, without the need to fix it in place with bolts or screws.

The ikea rolling draws that will be used for holding  rolling stock.

Here is a view of the current plan. 

I have seven boards to go.
The track has been shipped and expect delivery soon so track laying can start, real soon now.

Thanks
Scott

Railmotor Models pre production PBHY photos

Hi all

Railmotor Models have got test shots of their soon to be released PBHY, thats the big out of gauge van.

Check out the link...

http://www.railmotormodels.com.au/gallery.html

Thanks

Scott

Video of Terowie North at Adelaide Exhibition 2012

Hi All

Glen went to this years Adelaide Exhibition, with the good oil.
Terowie North made an appearance, lots of Steam Era South OZ stuff.
Really nice work guys. I see the NSU even got a run.
See the youtube link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu11bj_VAl8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfwbLPBNc8o&feature=relmfu

Enjoy

Scott

A possible shunting layout Mukilteo, Paine Field Boeing, and Everett Washington USA on the BNSF.

Hi All

Every now and then a location just screams out model me, Mukilteo Washington USA is one such location.  It lends itself so well, out of gauge containers arrive via barge, and out of gauge cars arrive via a shunt move to Mukilteo.  Mukilteo is located on a shelf next to Puget Sound, it is also the junction of a branch to Boeing's assembly plant at Paine Field.  Both the cars and containers need to be shunted up to Paine Field and located in what only can be described as a very large "goods" shed.
Add to that the mainline is double track and has a Sounder station.  Glen and I have been talking about a BNSF layout, and Mukilteo is just about perfect for the project.

A trio of Dash-9s are waiting at Mukilteo, on their way north to Everett, the Sounder station platform is to the Right.

Three Dah-9's move north out of Mukilteo, across the coast heading for Everett.

The Port of Everett facility that receives the Boeing over size containers, the crane could be  operational Kibri version to further add realism.  The well wagons seem to be captive to this traffic.

A close up of the pier, the containers are very generic but should not  be too hard to built in a production.

Mukilteo looking south, the over pass leads to the ferry terminal, the facility to the right of the station is the remains of a  oil terminal.

A close up of the Boeing barge, there is a little lego type of look to this collection  of out of gauge containers.

The Ferry arriving a Mukilteo.

Another shot of the pier.

Mukilteo yard looking north, not the BLMA signal bridge.

Mukilteo looking south, the branch to Paine Field is to the left.

A container train bound for Everett, the branch is to the right and  to the left  is one of the TBCX cars, waiting to be delivered to Paine Field. 

out of Gauge cars waiting at Mukilteo, as you can see the yard is very compact, and thus  lends itself quite well, for modeling.

Boeing big "goods shed" at Paine Field

An example of the trains around Everett, these two trains are heading east to Snohomish.  The empty coal train is getting a fresh crew and will follow the general freight passing on the left.

A Sounder interurban passenger arrives a Mukilteo, heading for Seattle.

The Sounder station sign.

The sounder interurban heading south, under the bridge, which would make a great  scenic divider.  The bridge looks like a RIX products would be a good fit.

The caboose for propelling up the branch can be seen near the crane.

Looking south.

In Everett, is one of the Cabooses still in operation, these service the industries around Everett.

The Major yard in Everett.  The GP38 is set up for remote control.

Note the Boeing cars set aside in the yard, so I guess that there would be a  shunt movement from this yard to Mukilteo.

A not quite "hard Stand" area, where a double stack train originates and heads south.

One way to solve you layout transport problems!!

The south end of the yard in Everett, It looks like BNSF segregate Boeing Traffic for the just in time deliveries.  The Geep to the right is coupled to TBCX wagons.

An example of the shunt power around Everett - Mukilteo.

Google earth view of the Boeing Barge pier.

Overview of the sounder station and yard Mukilteo.

Here is an overall view of Mukilteo the Boeing slip is to the left.  The Paine Field is in the middle of the picture.

The abandoned oil terminal and pier.

The yard at Paine Field, note the five pack to the right, and the very short run around, I think it will only hold a five pack.

A close up of the yard, I would assume that the Turn table is to ensure that the end doors are facing the right way  for delivery to the Boeing "goods shed"  I have seen wagons also placed to the left of the road in front of the Goods shed.  So that they can unload two wagons on each track.  Obviously they can only unload end cars this way.  Other cars require the tops to be removed vertically to unload.  Thus an extra degree of difficulty, to shunting operations.  

Below is a link to some video and pictures of operations at Mukilteo and Paine Field.  I can't believe that this locations has not been modelled by anyone in the USA.
So we might be doing a bit of a Lance Mindheim based on BNSF, and the Boeing Plant.


http://paineairport.com/boeing_train.htm

Updated with proposed trackplan and track diagram.

 Here is the track schematic, which should give you an idea of the large amount of shunting operations this layout will involve.

Here is the proposed track diagram, you will note that the hidden track is dashed, given the location and the angle of attack to the sound, I should be able to hide the staging tracks without too much of a problem.
The only down side to this layout is the trees.

Anyway enjoy.

Scott