The Story Behind Rosenberg Meet

Last weekend was another productive one for me. I am happy with this latest track plan for Rosenberg Meet.

Let me run you through this update and the motives behind each track arrangement, position and industry. Give me your feedbacks - positive and areas to improve. I always welcome comments.


Overall Layout
My layout will occupy the existing 11.5ft x 10.5ft utility room. President has approved my real estate acquisition based on the boundries below. I need to present to the Board of Directors the budget, revenue projections, etc. for this project. After all, nobody wants to run a loss-making enterprise, even in a 1:160 world.


Why Rosenberg?
Tower 17 interlocking tower charmed me when I first saw Wes Carr's photo. Since then, I have been researching more about Rosenberg and this is the one for me. I like BNSF and UP, the two Class 1 railroad west of Mississippi River. Both railroads run long trains on their respective subdivision to Galveston.

Modelling BNSF Galveston and UP Glidden subs along this stretch in my utility room fit nicely.


Focus is Tower 17 Rosenberg
I kept reminding myself that Tower 17 junction had to be right to capture the feel and awe of BSNF and UP trains crossing each other. Today, Tower 17 is a museum piece but on my layout, I want to re-enact the last few days of Tower 17 still in operations and with various BNSF and UP liveries still plying that route (if you see some of the photos taken by railfans, SP, SF, BN liveries are still spotted) Tower 17 will NEVER be boring. There is a story to tell and I will be the story teller.

Both UP Glidden track and BNSF Galveston tracks run parallel to each other east of the Tower 17. UP Glidden (to Houston) will disappear at Point B to subroad level and re-emerge at Point B after Alvin. I will model the cotton gin factory at the curve and north of I-90 highway.


Smither's Lake
Between Richmond and Alvin, there is a junction to Thompsons and Smither's Lake where Houston Light and Power (HL&P) coal-fired power plant is located. I will model compressed coal deposit pit and power plant. The track to no-where is the bypass track that connects to UP Popp sub at Alvin. So, it looks like it disappear off the scene and reappear as 90deg crossing at Alvin. Cool eh?


Algoa
Algoa is the intersection between UP Angelston, BNSF Mykawa and BNSF Galveston subdivisions. As mentioned earlier, trains will reappear on Point B and cross below the bridge after Alvin (in reality, there is no such crossing) I added to make the UP Glidden run more interesting as well as allowing UP Glidden to have a continuous running. I added a wye near Algoa which connects to UP Angelston (lift-up bridge) to the other side of upper deck and another track that disappears to no-where.

On BNSF Galveston, the track after Algoa will head downgrade to a helix to lower deck (staging yard for now, Galveston in the future).

There is some empty space right of Algoa (above the helix). I want to model grain elevator. Thus, I am using my creative license to do just that. Is there one in the real Algoa? I did not see it in Google Map.


West of Tower 17
The double track north of Tower 17 is BNSF Galveston sub to Sealy and Temple. Not much focus there but the tracks are long enough to hold 2 locos + 10 cars (represented by light blue line and curve). It heads to Point C and into a double track helix to lower deck staging.

Meanwhile UP Glidden heads west to San Antonio (represented by track to helix). I don't plan to do much at this corner.

Upper Deck

Tell me what you think
I am happy with the overall layout and track arrangement. I will be using Atlas and ME code 55 flextracks and turnouts. The minimum radius is 15 inch to accomodate 6-axle power motives that ply the route. I could not go beyond 15 inch without compromising on the aisle space.

This layout is intended to be run by 3-4 operators. The layout will be DCC using NCE PowerCab (and upgrade to PowerPro later).

The turnouts will be #5 and #7 for most of the locations. I am considering whether to invest in handlaid turnouts. I have 26 turnouts at upper deck. Maybe it is economical after all to buy Fast Track jigs and do it myself.

Links:
TrainBoard: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=100515&page=5
Model Railroader: http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/149507/1655831.aspx#1655831

Jimmy Low

Layout Critique 3 - Almost There (Open for Comments)

Thank you Steve Cox, Fred, Stein, Kenneth and Denny for your comments. I have revised my layout plan as per below.

Objectives
I want a track plan that allows me to run long trains, average 10-15 cars per train and also to do some switching. Previous plans did not have a good balance of both; the tracks could not cater for long trains and Rosenberg junction was awkwardly positioned.

Rosenberg is the KEY FEATURE, don't you forget that, Jimmy!
The most important feature of my layout is Rosenberg Tower 17, which sees more than 70 trains a day (Two railfans spotted 77 trains on January 2004 over a 24-hour period!). By putting Rosenberg junction next to the west wall, I did justice to UP Glidden sub to Houston. This track heads east and in my layout, it will disappear below the subroadbed at Point B and reappear at Point B near the east wall.

Tower 17 Rosenberg, Texas

Where Rosenberg junction is now, you will get a good vintage view of Tower 17. If you stand near 10' marker (where I place the "BNSF Galveston Sub", you can take a good shot of the BNSF trains coming from; just like how Wes Carr took it (this picture started my layout idea)

There is a window sill on top left corner (between 9' and 11.5' markers). I can stand at the wash area and look into the layout room and will see this view of Tower 17.

Hence, I found the right place to position Tower 17! The rest of the trackages fits right in. A longer UP Glidden (to Houston) and BNSF Galveston that heads to "Galveston" at lower deck. I initially placed Galveston on the east wall corner but found that that section is too cramped to do any justice to the Galveston terminal. The causeway would have to be shortened and the tracks on the Galveston island could not accomodate 10 cars per track. There isn't enough room to maneuver.

By moving Galveston to lower deck, I can have the whole lower deck to model the causeway and island (for now, lower deck will act as a staging yard)

Upper Deck
(light blue line represents the length of 2 locos + 10 50" cars)

Follow the BNSF train to "Galveston"!
Let's follow the BNSF train from Sealy/Temple on BNSF Galveston sub heading south. It crosses the Tower 17 junction and takes the inner track towards Alvin. I have lengthened Alvin and added a double track to allow the train northbound train to pass. In most stretches on BNSF Galveston sub, it is single track with passing loops. I make sure any loop can handle at least 10 cars + 2 locos.

The train then proceeds to Algoa and take a curve before going behind the scenic divider and downgrade to lower deck (at point A). At lower deck, it runs from Point A to the shared staging yard beneath Rosenberg. For continuous run, I can make it reappear at Point C.

Houston, We Have a Train!
For UP train from San Antonio which heads eastward towards Houston on UP Glidden sub, it will go below the upper deck level and reemerge at Point B-B. It then cross underneath BNSF Galveston where it will apprear as adjacent to BNSF. This allows some interchanging activities to go on between UP and BNSF.

I added a wye at Algoa and a duck-under to allow continuous running of UP Glidden.

Lower Deck - Staging for now and Galveston later
As the BNSF train down grades at Point A, it will go to lower deck and inch its way to the staging yard beneath Rosenberg. The train can stop at the outer tracks so that it can proceed to Point C and up grade towards the upper deck again.

Lower Deck
(light blue line represents the length of 2 locos + 10 50" cars)

Feel free to comment. I think I am more or less settled with this track plan with minor adjustments from your comments.

Model Railroader: http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/149507/1655831.aspx#1655831

Jimmy

Layout Critique 2 (Open for Comments)

I learnt how to use XtrkCAD in 3 hours and produced this track plan that I want to build. Please feel free to comment. Tell me what will work and will not work in this plan.

Let me explain a few things before you start. The red quad-circles show the position of 2 doors and their open angles. I will keep the door next to "Temple/San Antonio" open as this is a main door to the room while the other one will be permanently locked.

The focus of this layout is (1) Rosenberg where BNSF and UP trains will meet, and (2) Galveston Island, main industrial hub.

Let's take a BNSF train ride from Temple. The train heads westbound (Galveston) from Temple towards Rosenberg on BNSF Galveston subdiv line. It crosses Tower 17 and onto the outer track toward Alvin. The train makes a down grade to Algoa and heads to Virginia Point. In reality, the train does not cross underneath a bridge; but since I need to make a loop to Virginia Point, I added the bridge. After Virginia Point, the train crosses the Galveston Causeway into the island where it will go into the yard. The switchers will take the cars into the industries on the island.

UP train from San Antonio heads eastbound on UP Glidden subdiv towards Rosenberg. It continues towards Virginia Point and Galveston island. Like BNSF, its enters the yard to drop off the car loads.

This is a loop (Temple/San Antonio) to point (Galveston) layout. My purpose is to be able to run 10-15 cars per train with 2-3 trains running at same time. Switching will be done at Rosenberg, Alvin, Algoa and Galveston.

The loop on west of Rosenberg can act as dynamic staging yard i.e. with trains moving at slow pace to make up for a feeling of a long distance run. Likewise, switching at Alvin and Algoa also to prolong the operating session.

Now, let's hear from you.

Links:
TrainBoard: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=100515&page=5
Model Railroader: http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/133485.aspx?PageIndex=2

Jimmy Low

Layout Critique 1 (Open for Comments)

Here are the first sketches of Rosenberg Meet. I hope, by now, you have read my first few blogs to give you an idea about Rosenberg Meet and the routes along the Galveston-Glidden subdivision.

Picture 1: Upper Deck

The upper deck covers a space of 7ft (left), 10.5ft (center) and 7.5ft (right). The space at the bottom of the sketch will not be filled as I have a few cabinets for household stuffs. As you can see there will be a 2-3ft wide peninsula which will be the BNSF Galveston subsdivision from Tower 17 to Virginia Point, north side of Galveston Bay. At present, I have not thought of anything for the left side which is meant for San Antonio. However, the right side will be Galveston Island.

Picture 2: Lower Deck (Hidden Staging Yard)

The lower deck will be hidden staging yard. I have not worked out the grade yet but will make sure it is less than 2%. Point A is the UP Glidden at San Antonio while Point B is meant to be BNSF Galveston at Temple. Northbound BNSF trains will make a loop as it descends to lower deck from Point B, while Westbound UP trains will descend at Point A. Is this possible? You tell me.

Picture 3: Upper Deck (San Antonio - Tower 17)

As mentioned earlier, Point A and B are entrance and exit to lower deck. The space on upper deck is undecided yet; hence, the question mark (?). I wonder if I can put an alien marking on the Texan plain :D

Picture 4: Upper Deck (Tower 17 and BNSF Galveston subdivision)

Tower 17 Rosenberg is the focal point. The peninsula will be BNSF Galveston to Virginia Point. There are two branches; one to UP Popp subdivision and another BNSF Mykawa subdivision. The Smither's coal quarry is the one of the industries. Other industries will be determined as I research more. The BNSF/UP trains will continue towards Virginia Point where it will meet UP Glaveston subdivision branch from Houston.

Picture 5: Algoa - Virginia Point (BNSF Galveston), Galveston (UP Galveston)

A closer look at Virginia Point. The trains will cross Galveston Bay before the respective railroad terminates at their own yard on Galveston Island.

Picture 6: Staging Yard with Reverse Loop

Zoomed into the lower deck. A reverse loop allows me to turn both BNSF and UP trains back to their subdivisions. Either railroad does not have trackage rights westward and northward of Tower 17.

Amtrak Sunset Limited will occupy the additional staging yard and climb at Point A to continue its journey from San Antonio to Houston via UP Glidden. The only exception here will be the Sunset Limited will proceed to Galveston instead of New Orleans. This Houston-Galveston service was published in Houston Chronicle in 2007. Thus, I am using my creative license to extend Sunset Limited to the beautiful Galveston Island.

Picture 7: Additional Staging Tracks

Please feel free to comment. I am looking for a volunteer to transform this sketch into a computer drawing. Anyone?

Updates:

Stein from Norway has captured what I wanted in the above drawing. Tusen Takk! I have inserted the labels for easy identification. This is the upper deck.

Point A (San Antonio) descends to lower deck and follow the trackage directly below the BNSF Galveston to a staging yard beneath Tower 17 and along the peninsula.

Point B (Sealy/Temple) descends to lower deck beneath San Antonio and makes a loop and follow the trackage directly below the UP Glidden trackage to a staging yard directly beneath Tower 17.

The lower deck on the peninsula will hold a staging yard and a reverse loop for BNSF and UP trains go back to Point B and A respectively. Either railroad does not have trackage right westward and northward of Tower 17 (Correction - see note 1). Hence, a reverse loop is necessary. I am considering no staging tracks beneath Galveston but a lower deck will be built to keep the boosters, rolling stocks, books, etc. when not in use.

As for dispatcher desk? Well, I am thinking of putting a Post-It board on the wall near Galveston for Tower 17 dispatcher and Galveston dispatcher. Yes, I need 2 dispatchers. The amount of activities at Tower 17 will definitely keep the dispatcher superly busy.

Links:
Layout Critique - Model Railroader Forum (more comments here)
Layout Critique - TrainBoard (more comments here)
Layout Critique - NScale.net (more comments here)

Errata:
1. I examined UP system map closely and discovered that UP actually has trackage right from Tower 17 to Virginia Point on BNSF Galveston subdivision as well as BNSF Mykawa subdivision from Alvin to T & N.O Junction. This is because the UP trains need to get to Smither's Lake and UP Popp subdivision at Arcola as well as UP Angleton subdivision at Algoa.

UP also has trackage right on BNSF Galveston subdivision up to Sealy north of Tower 17.