Layout Design Challenge

At the Bay Area Layout Design & Operations Weekend - Jan 24-25, 2009

We've sponsored Layout Design Challenges at the last five years' meetings. A handful of people have submitted designs and the challenge has led to a lot of interesting discussion.

This year we will be focusing on an urban transfer/belt type of railroad. The maximum size will be 10' x 20' (one car garage). Any scale is acceptable. The goal of the design challenge is to explore the various approaches and ideas that result when multiple designers are given the same idea, but with the freedom to choose location, era, emphasis, scale and layout design elements.

Each designer will have five to ten minutes to orally present their design during the SIG meeting on Saturday January 24, 2009. Elements of the information packages may be used by the organizers to create a Powerpoint presentation for the meeting. Following the oral presentations by the challengers, a panel will discuss the various designer's approaches. There are no winners or losers; the development of ideas and alternatives is the goal.

This Year's Challenge

An Urban Transfer and Belt railroad. Must physically connect with at least three class one railroads. Interchange transfer of cuts of cars between the class one's is the main feature of the line. In addition it will provide local industrial switching services, including at least one 'large' industry (i.e. grain, steel, automobile plant, etc.). Provision for basic locomotive servicing must be included. Passenger terminal switching is OK, but not required.

It can be freelance or prototype based. It can be located in any city, in any era and any scale. 10' x 20' maximum space (including access), one door/access must be provided along the long dimension.

At least three operators should be kept busy, for a minimum 2 hour session.

Preparing Your Entry

Each information package should consist of a brief description of the concept and track plan characteristics, a hand-drawn or computer rendered to-scale trackplan on a single page; and one or two additional text pages describing the concept, design and operating scheme. Designs may be rendered in color or black and white, but be sure that any renderings will reproduce in black and white for possible use as handouts. Trackplans do not need to be publication-quality or ready-to-build, they should be clear and complete enough to allow the panel and the attendees to understand your concept. Electronic information packages are preferred, but hard copy is permissible.

The following should be clearly called out in the package:

Please return the completed packages to arrive no later than January 14 to Don Marenzi via eMail at DonMarenzi@aol.com or via surface mail to: 8055 Par Court Newark, CA 94560-2141

Inspiration / References

Here are some internet links to similar transfer / belt railroads, both prototype and model:
Last updated December 12, 2008
Page maintained by Bob Jacobsen.