Deerfield Beach,FL (HO switching layout)

[alcanman]

Hi, some of you may recall my previous layout, CSX Palmetto Spur, which featured in this forum earlier this year.

I have now started to build a new layout which has been inspired by videos of local switching operations in South Florida. Deerfield Beach
has two industries which I thought would be very modelable.

Sun Sentinel - paper processing

Publix - plastics

Here are a couple of pics to start with, I'll post more info later

Mal

[PApat]

Great looking layout! Are those photo backgrounds part of your layout or did you add them to your photos?

Really great job on the ground cover - nicely done!

[HOexplorer]

Very well done. I like this! Jim

[alcanman]

Originally Posted by PApat

Great looking layout! Are those photo backgrounds part of your layout or did you add them to your photos?

Really great job on the ground cover - nicely done!

Thanks, the orange sunset sky was added using Photoshop.

[PApat]

Just noticed your location as the UK. Your setup is even more amazing considering that!

[alcanman]

Like my previous layout, Deerfield Beach, FL is small, measuring only 9ft x 15 ins. Here is the track plan

Looking left to right we have

Publix - this is their dairy processing plant which receives plastic pellet loads from which they make plastic milk bottles for their supermarkets

Sun Sentinel - is a regional South Florida newspaper and this facility receives paper for processing

CSX Transflo - based on the facility at Ft.Lauderdale,FL mainly tank cars and dry bulk products in covered hoppers

The track at the right end on the layout provides a partially hidden storage track, similar to the arrangement used on my previous Palmetto Spur layout.

CSX operates local switcher O717 Ft.Lauderdale - Deerfield Beach on weekdays with power usually a GP39-2.

Next pic shows O717 departing Deerfield Beach with Sun Sentinel and Publix in the background and unusual power - a MP15ac!

Thanks to fellow member Brickbuilder711 for the inspiration and information.

Mal

[gregamer]

Looks great.

[alcanman]

Another couple of pics, first shows CSX GP40-2 #6351 arriving at Deerfield Beach from the partially hidden storage track at the right end of the layout.

Operating the layout is fun and simple. Train arrives with 3 loaded cars which are exchanged for 3 empty loads spotted at the 4 spurs.

Second pic shows CSX MP15AC #1173 spotting a plastic pellet hopper at the Publix processing plant

[TheGloriousTachikoma]

Wow, this looks just fantastic. Seeing this and your other layout fully fleshed out has me reevaluating my current plans.

[alcanman]

Thanks, here are another couple of pics showing the Transflo transloading facility at the right hand end of the layout