http://hostthenpost.org/uploads/839c0a7e4660e29e3b04c71efec30621.jpg

(Link to trackplan, it was too big when I put it as an image)

So I was thinking about my model railroading progress, my layout, my engines, etc. and I figured that my current layout and the plan I had to change it both wouldn't work. The operations would be really limited, the layout wouldn't seem realistic, and it would make the space I have really cramped. I want a layout that I can finish in about a year or so, that can fit in small spaces, that can operate with only a few cars, and that involves switching. I decided to make an in-plant switching line. This could either be a contract switching operation or simply a permanently-stationed common carrier locomotive. I drew up a plan based of of this and that was the result. It's more of an extremely short industrial switching spur. There are 2 storage/runaround tracks on the main (1 and 3 in diagram). A track to a fuel company (4) extends from the ladder of these tracks. A track runs off the top yard track and splits into 2 loading tracks and two storage tracks. I was thinking that the plant serviced here would be a sandpaper factory, so that I could use my two-bay hoppers and boxcars from my previous layout plan. Sand and abrasives would be brought in in covered hoppers along with paper or cloth in boxcars. Some boxcars may be reloaded with sandpaper, but most likely they would be taken out empty. Operations would be simple, but please refer to the diagram for the following. The engine starts on the loco track (8), with outbound cars on the spots on 5 and 9 tracks. First the locomotive would take these and move them to 6 and 7. Then the engine pulls to the front of the cut on 1, and takes a single car, and spots it. This is done until 1 track is clear of sandpaper plant cars. Then the fuel cars will have to be spotted on 4, which the engine does. Then the engine backs down to the cars on 6 and 7, couples to them, and pulls them forward to 3. The engine moves them one at a time to 1 track. Then the engine goes back to 8 and ties down until needed again. The engine is an Athearn SW1500, originally NS but I've modified the NS paint scheme to be more than a patch job but less than a full paint job. I think I'll add a little more so that only the NS sidestripe and pilots remain. The in-plant switching would be handled by the South Pocono Railway which is my freelance road. If it was contract switching then the main would probably be NS or Conrail, if it was just a locomotive assigned to that industrial area the main would be SPR. Possibly it could be SPR, but a few NS locals go by on trackage rights.