When I talk about downsizing, I'm not saying the overall size of the layout. In fact, the Ontario South Central Railway has grown 4 1/2 feet with a long staging/Interchange since its inception at its first location. My issue is turnouts. I have about 4 I have to replace. About $150 worth. And as a musician and near min. wage job I can't afford to do that. So...what to do?

Hey, gang. Looking for some design inspiration for a small shelf layout I'm planning. Besides Pennsylvania, the other location I've long had an interest in is the Pacific Northwest. The Northern Pacific, Great Northern, Spokane, Portland & Seattle and the Milwaukee Road (and other local short lines) are all railroads I'm interested in, but have little knowledge about. I thought it would be fun an educational to explore some of the smaller branch lines (especially end-of-line locations) in that part of the world for a possible small layout.

One of my hobby goals for 2020 is to make more progress on structures, and I decided to start by trying to fill the largest gaps between existing structures today.  Job #1 is the abandoned Ready Mixed concrete plant (later found to be Wilson Concrete, but in 2001 this plant was acquired by Lyman-Richey Corp., parent company of...Ready Mixed!) just east of UP's Pool Yard in Council Bluffs.  Here are a couple prototype photos from September 2001 and June 2005, respectively:

I have settled to a great degree on the many changes I've made over the  years.  A fellow in the group has build a White River Junction Union Station which serves to anchor my layout on the Conn River line.  The layout, which I will post a diagram of now represents the Conn River line from White River Jct. to Newport Vt.  The run is approx. 250 ft. WRJ to Newport as a modelled section.  The two yards are connect also through a 40 ft.