My Intermodal Layout

[SD70M_4300/Shawn]

Im Creating a small intermodal layout. its on a 2x8 board plus a 2x4 board for the containers & Trailers. well i need some help, tips, and ideas to work my way throught it. So far i got some trailers (walmart)10 and containers (walthers) 4. 2 dash 9's Athearn BNSF & UP, 1 IHC SD40-2 ex ATSF, Bachmann Dash 8-40C UP, and one unpowerd GP38 Life- Like. 3 Husky stack well cars, and 2 spine cars A&B. so what else should i really get. oh also my switchs are #4 seems i got limited Space. please help.

[nskid5875]

Every intermodal yard needs a crane

[SD70M_4300/Shawn]

very true. what companies got them?? dosent Walthers have some??

[c.a.jon]

No. 4 switches are a little tight for intermodal equip. You should use at least No 6s. There are real w/ yards that are only 3-5 tracks. Just leave enough spacing between the tracks for pigs, cans & a straddle buggy. Walthers makes a Mijack & also a Kalmar side loader. BTW spine cars are usualy 5 units long (A, E, D, C, & B)

[SD70M_4300/Shawn]

yes well its to small for me its only 2 feet wide. and 6 feet long. so i use #4. and i only go the two pack of the spine cars.

[Jman]

What type of track plan are you using? I have a space that is almost exactly the same. (I could probably squeeze in an extra six inces in width) Many of the shelf layouts I see are timsavers or 10 to 12 feet long. It would be great to see how you're working yours. I'm afraid if I can't come up with something I'm gonna box up my four or five engines and assorted rolling stock and move to N scale with something like a Terrain for Trains layout . I do love to watch trains go 'round....but shhh don't tell anyone. :)