Whoa, that must be a tough position to be in. So do you *like* the Piedmont line from the standpoint of geography and traffic mix (and density)? It's quite a bit different than the Dixie line I would think. If so, then don't look back! If you're not sure, you should consider if you could model just a signature portion of the Dixie line without sacrificing operations. My own decision to model Tehachapi was easy because it has everything I want: a compact geography that can be modeled (but still only pieces of it); open scenery that is easy to model (and that I really like); single track mountain railroading shared by two roads; and my favorite mix of traffic: intermodel, grain, autos, steel, lumber, manifests, and no passenger, coal, or trash. Does the Piedmont line offer something similar for you? Best, Gary P.S. Will you have to change your username?
The only things I find lacking on the Piedmont line when compared to the Dixie line are: lack of hills/mountains no automotive trains (I love autoracks!) no searchlight signals (all type-D color light signals) 5 hour drive to get on-site prototype photos However, the Piedmont line has these features that I really like: track plan fits just right into my layout footprint a huge industry (Bowater Paper) right where I have allocated space for a low, riverfront industry the Hamlet junction where five lines intersect at the restored SAL depot passenger operations! I may even bring back the Silver Comet as an Amtrak train two really scenic river bridges of differing architecture lots of online industries that will generate online traffic to complement the through traffic two scenic towns (Waxhaw & Aberdeen) that offering great modeling opportunities I can still get a good mix of manifest, intermodal, coal, grain and just about anything else that I had on the Dixie line. Of course, I will be running autoracks one way or another because I like them so much. As for changing my login name, I think I can still get away with using CSXDixieLine: the Carolina Rails track plan is based entirely on former Seaboard trackage, and the Seaboard's slogan was Through the Heart of Dixie. Moreover, the heart of the Seaboard was Hamlet, NC, which will be featured prominently on the new track plan. So, while I would most likely change the layout name to CSX Carolina Rails, I would keep my personal CSXDixieLine moniker. :thumbs_up: Jamie
Jamie, I just took a look at the new area in GE and man is that Bowater paper plant huge! The Hamlet yard is pretty good sized also. Looks like some cool modeling areas. Mike
Jamie, I am also intrigued by your planned changes. I love the idea of LDE's as they make it seemingly "easier" to model closer to the prototype. I continue to watch as you progress. Change can be a bummer, but I agree with an earlier post that earlier is better. I did some research for you. I love to search the internet and find info that may not be out in the open. You mention on your blog that "Harmony Steel" may not be named that currently. You are correct. With some hard digging, I found out it is Dietrich Metal Framing, part of Wortington Industries. They produce steel framing for building manufacture. They have a website- Dietrich Metal Framing Hope this helps....I look forward to seeing your new railroad. David
Yikes Jamie! Big changes, but anything involving adding NS is awesome. The house I was looking at in Lawrenceville didn't work out. But I'm now out in Smyrna near Market Village and the track that follows Atlanta Rd.
I guess it does sound that way! But I am not touching one piece of track until I have a complete plan, either for the new Carolinas version or the completion of the Dixie Line. I amost painted myself into a corner by letting construction get ahead of the design. I really want some kind of massive industry and the Bowater plant fits the bill. And it is in the perfect location for the layout. I look forward to switching that industry while mainline trains are running by on the mainline in the background. I have been working on a rough Bowater plan and looks like I can get a lot of track going all over the place, just like at the actual mill. I really should have started with the LDE approach--I am a software developer and know how well a top-down design works. The LDEs on the Dixie ine version were always in my head, but when I finally needed to put a plan on paper there were a lot of gaps (just like in my head!). The Dietrich Metal Framing website actually has several plant tour videos on their website. This looks promising-I'll have to watch these today and see if I can gather some info as to what they ship in/out via rail. If you are in Smyrna, you are on my Dixie Line, although technically yo are living in my south staging area. You can expect LOTS of trains with all kinds of traffic over there; that's one reason I selected that as my prototype in the first place. Jamie
Here we go- first LDE is mapped out: A complete description of the Harmony LDE can be found on my blog. This is about as detailed as I am going to go with the track plan before (re)starting construction. As with the Dixie Line version, the actual track alignments will be determined when the splines are laid out on the benchwork. This time around, however, I will make sure every LDE is mapped out to yield a complete plan before I proceed. I think this is going to work out well even though there are some places where I am having problems. But with this approach, I will just map out a "best guess" and come back and refine it later. Jamie
I like the direction you're taking with your layout. There is a company here that is in the process of working on a defect detector and I thought you might be interested. here's what a recent email says: "Something New For My Railroad The latest addition for our suite of My Railroad Tools and Utilities is nearing completion. The Defect Detector will simulate the action of the defect detectors that prototype roads use to detect hot boxes, dragging equipment and so on. Although it will usually show your trains to be okay, on those occasions when it "detects" a defect (i.e. randomly generates a problem for your passing train) it will add a whole new dimension to your operations and keep things interesting." Here's their website and this may be helpful since you're planning a hot box detector: Dallas Model Works.com Model Trains + Model Railroad Equipment I'm not affilitated with the shop, but they offer some unique services on their website (car card generator, rr inventory tracker, etc) so you may want to check it out.
Hey Scott. It's not actually up on their website yet. I got an email since I signed up to get them and that's where the above info came from. Looks like it's still in the development stage but will be here soon. Maybe drop them an email and see whats up?
I completed the lower level track plan for the Carolina Rails version of the layout: This is farther than I ever got with the original Dixie Line track plan and I already have a good bit of the upper level worked out. Jamie
Always like checking this thread,interesting to see what other people modeling CSX are doing. I don't have much myself(more into L&N),but I've really considered switching. Are you borrowing bits and pieces/ideas from other CSX subdivisions to incorporate into your layout?
For the most part, everything I have included so far on the track plan is what exists in the real world. The only exceptions are the two industries in Waxhaw and the rail spur at the feed mill in Mineral Springs. These additions were to have some additional local switching opportunities. Everything else is as it appears in the real world and even in the correct sequential order, one of the main reasons I selected this area to model in the first place. Jamie
Jamie, Eddie here I e-mailed you a while back about my intent on doing a portion of the Charleston sd maybe I'll just come north out of Florence up to Wadesboro, NC and connect with you there!! ;> if you will come just a little further east of Hamlet. Looking good I finally got my addition built to start my S.C.L. adventure. You are an inspiration to all of us! Great work and I look forward to seeing future plans from you. Thanks for sharing your talent with the rest of us. best regards Eddie aka SCLman "Pulling for you!" - in N scale
See above. Wadesboro would be located in my helix, so I will pretend there is an interchange track in there. Thanks for the comments - now lets see if my computer work will transfer into my modeling! Jamie
So Jamie, I take that as you are going through with this design and thereby making the "Dixie Line" a memory? With as much work as you've put into the LDE's, it would be a shame not to go with it. So when will we see some new track put in? Com'on, you know you wanna! Mike
Yes, I think it is a done deal. But I am sticking to my pledge of not touching the layout until I get the track plan complete. All I am lacking is the final two LDEs, but I actually have both of those pretty much done. The only thing holding me back is getting the tracks arranged in the Hamlet Yard LDE. This is a major yard, something I had never considered having before. My goal is to get all of the tracks roughed in today and publish the plan for it. I will need some scrutiny of my yard design since I have never done one before. Jamie
