Missouri Pacific, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Will be moving in to the new house March 21st so thought this would be a good point to start blogging about building of the new HO layout.
This will be my 5th layout and the first "prototypical" switching layout based on Missouri Pacific railroad operations in Fort Smith, Arkansas 1970-1980. Because of space limitations, the track layout and industry locations are not exact in some locations but all industries on the layout represent actual industries severed by the Missouri Pacific. Historic buildings and sites are also represented.
Some of my buddies have asked why I "wasted" an entire peninsula modeling an area of downtown Fort Smith. My answer... 1. I still have plenty of switching and operations 2. Enjoy modeling towns and structures 3. The "wow" factor of modeling an interesting historic downtown area of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
A few facts about the layout:
Scale: HO
Layout Size: 17x15 foot room
Type: Around the room with peninsulas
Operations: Switching with option for continuous run "if the mood strikes"
Power/Control: Digitrax DCC
Track/Turnouts: Micro Engineering #6 (hand operated) Track: Atlas code 83 flex track (Turnouts will be wired for Frog-Juicers in case they are needed)
Minimum Radius: 30-inch (main-line)
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MoPac In Arkansas
Looks Great On Paper! Can't Wait To See Photo's When Finished! Proud Member: Missouri Pacific Historical Society Jack Oesterle,Jr.
Very nice Joe
I really like the looks of this Joe! It’s always fun for me to see how someone chooses to represent their favorite prototype in layout form.
Will there be additional tracks in the yard beyond those shown? I’d also be interested in hearing more about your operations. Will this be a case where your local switch job is “fed” by a road train out of staging?
Joe Atkinson
Modeling Iowa Interstate's Subdivision 4, May 2005
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Road trains
There were no "road trains" through Ft Smith on the MP. Only one local. All the "road trains" went through Van Buren (on the other end of the "To Ft Smith" bridge at the door). The line "out" of Ft Smith was a stub ended branch with only a couple customers on it.
Dave Husman
Modeling the Wilmington & Northern Branch in 1900-1905
Iron men and wooden cars.
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NIce
That looks like a nice, conservative design with plenty of operational possibilities. The scenery-to-track ratio seems right. I'm intrigued about the the peninsula with zero trackage. I'll bet that's unique in all of model railroading. Very interested in following your progress.
About the tracks on each side of your Universal Packaging -- is that intended to represent the area around S 4th St?
Road trains
Good to know Dave. What sort of power was used on that Ft. Smith local?
Joe Atkinson
Modeling Iowa Interstate's Subdivision 4, May 2005
http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/Sub4WestEnd
My MRH blog index
https://instagram.com/iaisfan
Power
GP7, GP9, GP18, GP15, GP38.
Dave Husman
Modeling the Wilmington & Northern Branch in 1900-1905
Iron men and wooden cars.
Visit my website : https://wnbranch.com/
Blog index: Dave Husman Blog Index
Questions and Comments
At Jack - Thanks! Excited to get working on a layout again!
At Joe - I have added one additional track in the yard area for general storage that is not on the posted image. The actual yard was quiet small.
Prototypical Operations will include a local coming out of Van Buren staging, (hidden by hills and trees), crossing the Arkansas River, and working the industries and yard around Fort Smith. Once complete, it will return to staging via Paris, Arkansas or via Van Buren by recrossing the Arkansas River.
Non-prototypical operations, (when buddies come over to operate), will see the addition of a "Frisco" transfer via the crossover, (staging in closet), switch jobs originating and terminating at the Fort Smith yard, and maybe an occasional "through freight" to give the local crews something to grumble about!
May even fast forward a few years to have an excuse to run my Arkansas & Missouri Alco's!
At Lancaster - I dare say a "static" town taking up an entire peninsula is rare. During the building stage I will have to keep an eye on my buddies as many have threatened to sneak track into that area. I have not completely ruled out some type of compromise so "stay tuned"
The track layout near Universal Packaging is more representative of the 32nd street and High street areas.
At Jack - From my understanding there was a ICG locomotive the MP used on the Fort Smith run? Was this the GP18?
Joe
Modeling Missouri Pacific Railroad's Central Division, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Track plan looks like fun!
Joe, your track plan looks like it will be fun to build AND operate! I had a much smaller 'one town' layout with a hidden continuous run provision that was great for 'mindless' train watching and complete enjoyment of my first sound equipped loco. Looks like you have a lot of great switching to keep yourself and others busy, as well.
I did actually work in Ft Smith a few times in the late 70's, but I was usually just in the MP Agency there doing computer training for the local folks. My big thrill was seeing the black Frisco Geeps and looking over the old Midland Valley Freight House that was still standing at the time.
Looking forward to any updates you may post in the future. Thanks for sharing your plans.
Gary H.