MSL Episode 1: CSX Atlas TRAINMAN GP39-2

The Layout Plan

Due to being informed of limitations in the room of choice, I revamped the plan to suit a smaller footprint. More storage than was anticipated is needed and the windows in the back need access - so I redesigned the layout. It is still from Fort Lauderdale to Deerfield and the switching will be a little modified.

Unlike the other layout S Dania would need to be accessed through a removable helix and the storage track north of DFB station is eliminated, plus I opted out of including Home Depot. However with the support of Google Maps, CSX has gained / regained three customers in Pompano Beach, FL. Boise Cascade is a frequent customer now and was shown to house two boxcars and two centerbeams in the 3/21/11 O/L; Fast Dry Courts had four tank cars; and Amerigas had seven (!) LPG tanks plus three waiting on the main track. The latter two "came from the dead" while Boise is new. Grace Construction is intact and included. I had a tossup between the Water Treatment Plant off of Powerline/Prospect and the Amerigas since I wanted one that was realistically located. Sun Sentinel and Publix are included as planned. Also, I added Allsteel and Gypsum, off of Sunrise Blvd, which was not in the original plan, a frequent recipient of coil cars. TRANSFLO, who receives dry bulk, granular, and ethanol loads, and the scrap metal team track, F05, and the spur track were not forgotten as well, in accordance to the old plan.

The pictures Mike M. graciously sent me before were a great help and support in deciding this plan, and I thank him.

So here is the rundown of customers by product:

• TRANSFLO: Cement, Plastics, Gravel, Ethanol, Corn Oil
• Team Track: Mainly Scrap Metal
• AllSteel: Coils of Metal *and lumber too! (Google Earth)
• Water Treatment Plant [Option A]: Chlorine and Soda Ash
• Amerigas [Option B]: LPG Gas
• Grace Construction: Um.... Oil?
• Fast-Dry Courts: Um... Chlorine? Bleach? 
• Boise: Lumber and Construction Products
• Publix: Plastic Pellets
• Sun-Sentinel: Newsprint

Atlas Trinity Well Cars

I have to admit I am impressed with this new item Atlas MRR Co. is producing. Even though the announcement is a month old, it's news to me. The well cars add a variety to my prospective recreations of Q172, Q174, et al for the coming SFRM Deerfield Swap meet shows.

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/HOFreightCars/ho53wellcar/20001266_BeautyShot.jpg

Layout Progress Finally Coming Soon

Now that the stage is set I can practically work on my layout now. Watch for some homasote based benchwork progress in the coming months.

New Plan

The plan, effective 12/2010. This is the final plan! I will stick with realism.
 

O717 is the main switcher down these parts. Since Tri-Rail is not the focus, I opted against connecting the mainline because of the flyover which is impossible to model. O718, a nocturnal switcher, works Transflo.

I have several industries in the running.

• Transflo is CSX's ethanol, cement, plastics, and bulk transfer.
• The Team Track handles scrap gons and other commodities as needed. 
• The stub track is a storage track next to the Fuel area. The Fuel area is where the FTL switcher is tied down, as well as gets fueled.

We skip over to Pompano Beach, FL. The Mac Lead and Amerigas cannot be rendered in such a space.

• Grace handles chemicals and the "occasional boxcar" like my friend and fellow HO modeler Mike M. says is set out at neighboring Keeman Brick.

• Home Depot handles boxcars and centerbeam flats of lumber. It is not determined if for the sake of realism, I'll model the new Boise Cascade instead (Centerbeams and boxcars)

Deerfield Beach is a switching mecca and an overall fun place to check up on operations.

• CP Parker is only half of itself in the rendering because there isn't enough resource to afford making a 2-crossover. Besides, I am only designing it as a run-around point.
• Publix does not get food from CSX, unfortunately. ;) But it gets plastics for the containers of their food products.
• Sun-Sentinel is an active recipient of newsprint in 50'-60' high-cube newsprint boxcars. The density is almost enough so that additional cars need to be stored on the storage track across Hillsboro Blvd. Unfortunately, the Tri-Rail Station will be neglected in the model rendition.
• Rankin is a single crossover as is the real thing this time. O717 and occasionally O720 runs around.

Staging may be leveled below Pompano if circumstances permit.