This will be more of a treatise in theory, not reality, as we are still trying ops sessions to test the concept.

In the real world, things have changed significantly with the introduction of taconite production.  I will focus on natural ore shipping, as it was the mainstay of ore shipments in the 1950s.

Milt

To All: Pictured in the center is Melzie Simmons, the grandfather of my wife, on her mother's side. I do not know when the photo was taken, but possibly in the 1940's. The Augusta RR was a shortline located in northern Arkansas that was still in business in 1982. Does anyone know if the Augusta RR still exists? Yours, Elvin Howland/E. St. Louis Rail Group Layout

I live a mile from Union Pacific Track.  Don't recognize the diesel engines.  It would be great to know, not only the spotting features, but even the words that are used in train spotters' guides.

Ok, So here is a really cool photo unloading ore from a whaleback ship taken in 1901. I'm trying to figure out what the unloaders were called so I can find more info about them. These were built prior the "Brown unloaders and Huletts. Looks like a great scratch building project.