Southern New England Model Railroad Club

Permanent Layout Plan

Purpose of the club

SNE has been formed to preserve and perpetuate knowledge of the rail transportation heritage of this nation, to inform and educate the public about the science of railroading and to raise public awareness of the history and state of American railroading by recreating and maintaining a prototypically accurate and operational scale model railroad.

Layout Objectives

A permanent O scale model railroad that has the active support of all its members, provides prototypical operations, good model rail-fanning, a chance to learn about prototype railroading, and hands-on opportunities to develop modeling skills. The permanent layout should encourage others to join and participate in the club activities as well as educate the general public.

Operating Theme

Although not specifically devoted to a particular real world locale or railroad, the layout will represent railroading as seen in the USA, modeling a Rail Transportation System - the movement of goods and people - and include the necessary support facilities. Prototypical realism in operations, scenery, track work, and rolling stock will be accomplished. Our layout will allow us to operate over a wide range of time, location, and railroads. In addition we will use all NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices in order to assure smooth operation and compatibility with all O scale models.

Specific Overall Features

Schematically the layout consists of a double track mainline railroad which interchanges branch line railroad to provide a great diversity of operation. Normal run length is 850’ for the double track mainline. There is over 400 feet of staging tracks  with crossovers to allow flexible scheduling of train arrivals and departures.

The layout design incorporates many state of the art concepts, including linear walk-around design, a "mushroom" section that increases mainline length by over 50 percent, DCC command control, meaningful track-side signals, and the use of a Dispatcher for operating sessions. The "Mushroom" allows for two levels, each operated from separate aisles, suitably raised for operating. There are minimal duck-unders with good operator clearance. Layout height from the floor varies from 48" to 78", but raised aisles will keep the trains at an optimal viewing level. A separate Dispatcher’s office is located within the staging track loop (approximately 50 sq. ft.) with minimum headroom of 6 feet.

Viewing by visitors will be excellent for small groups, although aisles are somewhat narrow. The Display loop for shows is 850’ over the double track  including hidden staging. We can have multiple trains in operation if all are run at approximately the same speed. The branch line requires meets if more than one train is run simultaneously and turning in the interchange yard will be coordinated with the double track division.

A single major yard and city provides good scenic and operating interest. Urban industrial switching, passenger train switching, flat yard freight switching, engine terminal moves, etc. Because this city is not the end of the line through traffic will be handled as well, allowing the crew to balance the interest in switching vs. train running from night to night, between club operating sessions and public shows. This interchange yard includes

a) Steam locomotive facilities – large roundhouse with 32" turntable, 2 fueling/ready tracks, 1 service track, 1 wreck train track. Its lead track directly accesses both the freight yard and passenger terminal.

b) Diesel locomotive facilities – 48" maintenance building with 3 maintenance tracks, extending from 10’ long service tracks. Its lead track directly accesses both freight yard and passenger terminal.

c) 7 track freight yard/main line tracks. Because many trains will terminate or change power at either the freight yard or passenger station these tracks are designed to be multipurpose (through tracks, switch lead, or classification). Dead storage will be handled on the staging tracks, not in the interchange yard.

d) Passenger station with 5 through platform tracks.

e) 5 track stub end passenger car layover and service yard.

f) 2 track caboose storage and service at one end of freight yard, adjacent to diesel service facilities.

Industries to be Included

Coal – 2 mines will supply coal to a power plant, small on-line industries, as well as off-line customers, utilizing Hoppers, Hoppers, and more Hoppers…

Grain – Farm country elevators, dockside elevators & ship loading, a major bakery, and a feed lot in covered hoppers and box cars (steam era)

Containerized Transportation – loading/unloading facilities, both inland and dock side will service the TOFC, Container Cars, road railers.

Small Industries – A Brewery, fuel dealer, LP gas supplier, lumber yard, manufacturing plants will require a variety of incoming and outgoing freight cars.

Industries Under Consideration

Forest Products - logging, pulpwood, saw mill, paper plant will need log buggies, flat cars, pulpwood racks, box cars, and chemical tank cars

Meat Packing - animal loading station, feedlot, and slaughter house requiring stock cars, covered hoppers, and reefers

Petrochemical - crude oil, refined products, and plastics carried in tank cars, chemical tank cars, and covered hoppers

Dairy - loading facilities (country stations) and a creamery, serviced by milk cars and baggage cars

Vehicles – manufacturing plants and unloading facilities require auto racks, double door box cars (steam era), coil cars, gondolas, and special purpose box cars

Produce – loading plants, icing facilities (steam era), and produce markets provide a reason for reefers, insulated box cars, and ventilated watermelon cars.