Do I detect the influence of Byron Henderson in your design?

Sure - Byron Henderson, Lance Mindheim, Carl Arendt and countless others on the web and here on MRH have influenced my thinking. Philip Goldstein's rail-marine web site (www.freightrrofnyc.info) has also been a treasure trove of information.

Hi Christian,

This looks like an excellent plan with lots of operating potential.  GO FOR IT!

You may wish to pick up Tony Koester's book on Model Railroad Operations and read that to get some very good operations type ideas.  This layout design just reeks of lots of very good operating potential and some very good modeling potential with some diversified industries and sidings.  If you look at the first 2 or 3 chapters of Tony's book before you start making sawdust and laying track, you may find some things that may prevent a potential liability down the road, but your plan looks really good to me.

Good luck and regards, Vic Bitleris

Excellent plan of one of my favorite types of railroad (see the track plan database).  Definitely look at the harbor float operations in and around New York Harbor for inspiration.  Looks like you have room for more industries on the right side adjacent to the yard.

I assume the shelves are 18 inches wide, give or take?  Definitely some very good ideas here.  Look forward to seeing your progress.

Best,

JG

Thanks for the kind and encouraging words guys.

Jeff - you are correct. "Shelfwork" is 18" hollow core doors with the obvious modifications to accommodate the float and tug. And its sectional - just in case!

Christian

Great job Christian, when a plan strikes an instant "I like that a lot" I think you should realise that you are on an winner.

Not only is the track plan really plausible, but it looks very prototypical for the type & location.  You have clearly done your research.  It also looks like a great switching layout, with tons of potential.

Look forward to seeing it progress from flat 2D to the real thing.

Jas...

 The car float might be a bit short and with water at the wharf up on top and at the float bridge it might be more convincing to run a seawall around the corner and connect the two small pieces of water into one larger piece. I like your  design of the float yard as it looks like it might have enough capacity to handle the traffic, I've  seen many plans that din't take into account how car floats were pulled and loaded. Generally most layouts look too crowded with track and industries but in this case being a high rent district you might even be able to add in a few more car spots in those blank areas on the plan. Do you have a float bridge style in mind? Something like the unusual WM bridge at Balto might look good in this kind of layout........DaveB

Very nice plan. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress, and good luck getting out of your chair

.....plan. A lot of great switching movements. I am saving this one as it is great.

Jim

Looks very much like one that MR did a while back for one of their magazines. I think yours has the same flavor but is slightly different. You are definitely on to a winner here, I particularly like the way you have integrated the passing track into the curves. This plan will be nice enough that if you like the harbor thing you could easily incorporate it into your next railroad as there are obvious places to extend it to fit a larger space later.

Rob in Texas