I had an old shelf layout that I was building for an early 1900s flavored layout. Had a couple kids and ran out of time and interest. Years later joined an Ntrak club and built some modules for that. Another member is interested in some of the oNeTrak type modules so I said hmmm.. I have an almost onetrak module in that old shelf layout. Drug it out, realigned the end tracks and then quickly threw a two module offset together from some leftover lumber. I have some turn around modules that I used for continuous running when I set up my Ntrak modules. One is going to become a oNetrak reverse loop and the three foot loop(tight and ugly but it worked) will become a 90 degree turn. I enjoy the construction phase as much as anything. The kids get to participate as well. Simple scenery on the offset. The old shelf layout will be interesting. It will be the first time I have ever had to get detailed buildings on a surface in appropriate places. Even my most completed Ntrak module is very simple in the building department so far. Here is today's work crew hard at it on the new module. Here is a pic of my Ntrak coal loader. Here is my Southern unit coal train passing the loader http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3528eEyr-7o Here are some pics of the real thing up in northern AL. They used to offload coal from barges to storage piles and then load it on unit trains for power plants in Georgia. Something changed and the facility is no longer used. Unit coal still runs through the area but judging by the power, it comes from out west somewhere. Here are highlights from an article from Southern Railway's official publication about the facility soon after it opened back in the 70s. http://southern.railfan.net/ties/1980/80-3/pride.html Here is an overhead shot of the facility shortly after opening. It is captioned Westmoreland transloader in WV but it is obviously the Pride facility. This photo and the article are from the Southern Railfan site but are from old Southern Railway public documents so this is fair use. I have a lot to do, just have to be creative about my materials. The oNetrak offset will be generic and puffball laden. The old shelf layout will get more time but the buildings will be generic to say the least at the start. Probably some cardstock or sheet styrene stand ins for a while. Thanks for looking.
