LDJ-67 FIRST QUARTER 2020 (FULL-COLOR, 40 PAGES)
This issue of Layout Design Journal 67 presents a range of layout planning ideas and real-world inspirations, showcasing five featured designs that focus on switching operations, compact multi-deck modeling, transload facilities, and effective passenger switching within tight spaces. Each article offers a thorough exploration of both prototype practices and modeling techniques, with plans scaled primarily for HO layouts and designed to fit realistically into limited spaces. The issue emphasizes freelance design grounded in prototype operations and includes both urban industrial settings and rural branch lines, with layered construction strategies and modern car handling.
Table of Contents
Articles:
- International Car Ferry Switching Challenge by Bob Osborn – Page 4
- Freelanced Canadian Prairie Branch by Russ Bonny – Page 12
- Proto-Freelance Multideck Morada Belt by Dave Stanley – Page 20
- Modern Transload LDE Inspiration by Byron Henderson – Page 29
- HO Passenger Action in Spare Room by Byron Henderson – Page 35
Columns:
- Let’s be Real by Byron Henderson – Page 3
- The Doldrums by Ron Burkhardt – Page 3
- Promote the SIG, Help the Journal – Page 33
- Board of Directors Election Report by Robert Hanmer – Page 34
- Future Meets: St. Louis NMRA; New Jersey – Page 34
Article Summaries
Author: Bob Osborn
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Size: Two levels, each approximately 10′ x 10’10”
Techniques: Dual-deck operation with unconnected decks; manual float transfer; urban switching; compact yard operations
Railroads: Wabash Railroad, Canadian Pacific
Article Title: International Car Ferry Switching Challenge
This article describes an HO layout design based on Detroit–Windsor railroad ferry operations in the 1960s. The model features unconnected upper and lower decks representing Windsor (CP) and Detroit (Wabash), respectively, simulating car float movement across the Detroit River. Operators switch local industries before reloading floats for transfer. The design creatively uses manual handling of car floats to simulate ferry movement and avoids the need for helixes or grades. Industries modeled include Ford Rouge, US Steel, Stroh’s Brewery, and Park Davis Pharmaceuticals.
Author: Russ Bonny
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Size: Compact, wall-mounted LDE-style layout
Techniques: Freelance branch line design; grain and agricultural traffic focus; removable cassettes for staging; simple trackwork
Railroads: Canadian National-inspired freelance line
Article Title: Freelanced Canadian Prairie Branch
This article presents a small HO scale layout inspired by prairie branch lines in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Designed to fit on shelves with removable staging, the layout features towns like Warren and Darby with grain elevators, agricultural suppliers, and team tracks. Emphasis is placed on single-operator session logic and natural scenery. The plan integrates CN-like structures and operations but remains freelance in design. Techniques include removable cassettes for fiddle yard use and minimal turnout complexity.
Author: Dave Stanley
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Size: Multideck layout in a 14′ x 20′ shed
Techniques: L-girder and steel bracket framing; three operational decks; scenic compression; use of JMRI Ops; foam and Celluclay scenery; digitally drawn backdrops
Railroads: Proto-freelanced Morada Belt Line, loosely based on Southern Pacific
Article Title: Proto-Freelance Multideck Morada Belt
Dave Stanley outlines the construction and design of a proto-freelanced multideck layout set in California’s Central Valley. The Morada Belt features staging, mid-level yard (Morada), and upper rural towns (Acampo, Ridgewood). A highlight is the Eagle’s Nest bridge scene. Techniques include layered construction using custom steel brackets and L-girder benchwork. The layout blends SP-inspired scenery with freelanced operations and modern era freight flows. Scenic details and backdrops are created using layered techniques with artist John Signor’s help.
Author: Byron Henderson
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Size: LDE-style plan on small footprint
Techniques: Prototype LDE inspiration; operations-focused switching design; transload and truck interface
Railroads: Freelance/modern era
Article Title: Modern Transload LDE Inspiration
This article discusses using modern transload sites as inspiration for layout design. With the decline of traditional industrial rail customers, transload sites offer contemporary relevance and are ideal for modeling on narrow shelves. Byron shows how to develop a layout from aerial photos, with emphasis on vehicle and rail interaction and practical, real-world geometry. Layouts based on these concepts can feature modern equipment and serve as realistic operational centers for boxcars, centerbeams, and tank cars.
Author: Byron Henderson
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Size: Compact spare-room layout
Techniques: Passenger terminal design; folding benchwork; timetable and train order operation; use of crossovers and balloon track
Railroads: Fictional commuter and intercity line
Article Title: HO Passenger Action in Spare Room
Byron presents a design for a small passenger terminal layout focused on commuter and intercity operations. Inspired by Chicago-area terminals, the layout uses folding sections to conserve space and features a mix of stub-end platforms, storage tracks, and a balloon loop. Techniques include managing multiple train types, short headways, and station dwell times. The article also explores integrating timetable operation into a condensed space.
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