Your O Gauge Waterfronts & Car Floats

I tryed searching several ways and had some sussex with"waterftont train barges". Good luck Jim

I wish we had some 3r marine modelers on here, but they are few and far between. We have a member named ROO.  At one time there was a guy who attempted it, but he’s long gone now, never seen the finished product. I have some H.O. stuff on my Shutterfly link.

That level of modeling is not generally pursued by 3 railers probably because all we have is an oversized tugboat. It also requires a lot of space for actual operation. I may fit my Walters HO tug in the background on a future project.

Attached is a Marine link with tons of ideas – http://members.trainweb.com/bedt/indloco/

There are some nice photos of the harbor area on our club layout  which includes  the features you are looking for. Go to the TMB model train club website, click on the gallery and view the collected photos of our harbor area Sorry but I am not sure how to add a link.

Unfortunately I concur with Sirt, sad but true. Those type of scenes are limited to train clubs and those that are fortunate enough to have larger layouts. Though we all know waterways are an important part of the railroad logistically this is usually confined to small rivers, lakes, and streams in O Scale.  I started a thread not too long ago asking about companies who built kits/structures for a harbor scene and a few responded from that. Included were what seemed to be some really nice scenes from a few forumites. 

I'm sure some of them will eventually chime in and maybe a few more since the thread is requesting images.

Eventually I will have my version of one though, at this point, I don't know how functional it will be.

Dave

I did this for our modular club display.

The better scenery modelers in the club hated it. The majority of the public had no clue why there would be a boat on a "Train Set". It's retired now. I may repurpose it under the bridge in the stairwell leading to my train room.

Wile I am only in the initial test build phase, I would push back on waterfront scenes being to much for the typical small layout.

Fo my initial concept and list of druthers see my previous post:

https://ogrforum.com/...99#83931444273474799

The plan has evolved to the following:

With a 3d view: 

The freighter in this picture will be replaced with either a 1/48 or 1/50 Commercial Fishing boat model, modified to be an inter-island packet boat to move rail freight and goods from my reimagined Kelly's Island to the other West Erie islands.  There are several available 1/48 - 1/50 model tugboats out there for a basis for my car float tug, or I may scratch build a car ferry - a quick Google search will show some interesting results, and MicroMark has a couple of models in their catalog.

Current state of the build based on the plans looks like this:

With IRL 3D:

With the point of the current construction to prove that I can reliably form Gargraves track, that my stock of Gargraves switch work, and that I will actually enjoy a switching layout and test some scenery techniques and materials.  I used the shelter in place, while WFH to clear the space and build what you see.  This fall after boating season, if we have one, will see this come down and real construction begin should the testbed prove out my assumptions.

I have attached the SCARM file for those inclined.

Comments and criticisms wellcome.

Rob, that's a great track plan.

@luvindemtrains posted:

Unfortunately I concur with Sirt, sad but true. Those type of scenes are limited to train clubs and those that are fortunate enough to have larger layouts. Though we all know waterways are an important part of the railroad logistically this is usually confined to small rivers, lakes, and streams in O Scale.  I started a thread not too long ago asking about companies who built kits/structures for a harbor scene and a few responded from that. Included were what seemed to be some really nice scenes from a few forumites. 

I'm sure some of them will eventually chime in and maybe a few more since the thread is requesting images.

Eventually I will have my version of one though, at this point, I don't know how functional it will be.

Dave

Dave I disagree. Actually my water scene was created to compensate for tight space. I originally wanted to use the Lionel prewar coal elevator and lumber accessories. If memory serves you need 11 1/2" between tracks for those two items. That's a lot of real estate. So I had come up with the idea to have them dump to barges on the water using a dropdown table extension.

In the meantime I moved and started over again. I soon found that even having those accessories on water's edge I would lose a mainline track.

So I scraped those two accessories but kept the water idea. I had already purchased the tug and lift bridges.

I substituted the Seaboard Coaler and Magnetic Gantry Crane.

I have Mianne benchwork; so in order to install a piano hinge, I added a 1/2 x 6" pine board.

That created a gap between the tabletop and the seawall. So I created the walk out of wooden coffee stirrers. 

I recently finished the pour of Woodland scenics EZ water. Wasn't EZ, and I'm not too thrilled with it.

I tried India Ink wash for the first time. I used it to create a water line on the seawall.

I have the cardboard box barges filling in until I finish the barge project. The first one is almost done. I have to paint and add the hardware to the barge and the deck. If I have any rope left over I am gong to redo the scaffold for the welder.

My dad built this bridge kit for me about 40 years ago. I was never able to use it; so I just cut a small piece off one end and turned it into a fishing pier.

The Lionel lighthouse was another add on. I recently unpacked this Ertl Fireboat. I'm not sure that it's in scale. If I keep it; I'll have to cut the water to put it at the proper depth.

The next big effort will be another dropdown and pouring a river under these bridges.

My layout is 16 X 8 . This 1 X 8 extension provides many  opportunities to create scenery.

I love the creativeness people have shown, while a full fledge car float operation and serious docks would be the provence of a larger layout, but the nice part is you can compress things or give the impression of having it. I am planning a small dock area on my layout, it is just two parallel spurs where the dock area is between the two spurs. I have enough length that I can have a barge in there or a small ship. 

The poster was interested in car float operation, I assume in 3 rail? Staying focused on that, I have a few observations to point out. Looks like another unfocused thread going off the tracks.

Sure, there are a few others with SMALL water scenes. NJHR is nice along with the ones posted. But modeling a car float in O correctly would not be an easy task. Like subways, there are hardly any kits or supporting items supplied by the MFG. to go along with the train car product. Most everything would have to be hand done or scratch built. Off shoot companies would have to step in like Bridge Boss did on supplying a subway EL. Suppliers probably don’t view a marine sales market as being profitable. Another factor would be an effort to marry 3r and 2r tracks to make a convincing scene. A barge using 3r tracks would look quite busy so a reach car would be needed to ride onto 2r tracks of a float barge. Haven’t see one yet in O.

Track plans don’t take in all that would be required. First issue I see is selecting hi rail tubular G.G. track instead of MTH “I” rail scale trax. MTH 3R Scale Trax will marry to 2r “I” rail track. Rail track. Marine rail in O is mostly just a dream for most of us. Good luck, I would love to see a finished product some day! Wish I had another room.

H.O. samples & ideas from a model I did 20 about years ago - https://steves3roscale.shutterfly.com/pictures/3821

Gotta push back again SIRT.  the OP asked for "...see some photos of what forum members have accomplished in bringing railroads and industrial waterfronts (harbors, ships, tugs, barges, car floats) together on their layouts.", for inspiration.  Not a "logical and" of water fronts and car float operations, not an exclusively scale operations effort nor an exclusively purchased in a box solution.   Note that he did not post this to either 2-Rail or 3-Rail Scale.

Pennsyfan's work is a great example of traditional and non scale elements used to increase visual appeal and add play value.

For me at least, part of the charm of O Guage 3 rail is that it is widely accepted that Tin Plate, 0-27, High Rail, 3 rail scale, 2 rail scale and Proto-48 are all welcome and generally accepted.  If I wanted to do full industrial museum quality modeling, I would have moved to N-Gauge from HO rather than to O Gauge.

For me, the waterfront and car float is an affectation to provide an operational reason for a stub end switching shelf layout and some reasonable constraints to justify limiting my rolling stock to 40 footers and and motive power small engines to my unrealistic and non-prototypical shelf layout.

As a general rule, regardless of the topic or forum, I take umbrage at the first answer being "No, can't be done, isn't possible.." - maybe its a character flaw.

Looks like he has some good ideas and direction now.

Let’s see what all the efforts in this thread brings us in the future!

Thank You Rob; I didn't see how I took the thread on a tangent when car floats were  the fifth of five items that Jim was hoping to see.

"So I was hoping to see some photos of what forum members have accomplished in bringing railroads and industrial waterfronts (harbors, ships, tugs, barges, car floats) together on their layouts."

Whatever the intent of the original poster, I like this topic. I have a special fondness for harbor railroads and urban modeling in general. Model Railroad Planning occasionally does a harbor layout.

I began an N scale harbor switching layout years ago- car floats, covered barges, tugs, warehouses, tall buildings. You can cram a lot of operation into 1' x 6' in N.

It's great to see what people are doing with O.

Here's a search that will give you links to past Forum posts.

https://ogrforum.com/...agination.sort=SCORE

Jan

Raritan Valley HiRailers have a great harbor scene on their module layout. Maybe a member of their group can post a few pictures. 

As usual, OGRF inspires me to action!  Having had the idea for a scale representation of the B&O 26th Street, Manhattan, Freight Station, et al, I hadn't gotten around to seeing what could be done.  Having made some scale measurements, it had occurred to me that this would make a good small layout for the rest home, should I last that long.  Car floats on rolling carts would provide the connection to the outside world. The layout could be modified in several ways to reduce its footprint, yet retain operational interest:

I make no claim to precision, but the layout shown is as close to scale as your humble correspondent can manage in a few hours at the computer.  The prototype plan is from 1930, the B&O has yet to expand into the next block south of the original facility. A vivid imagination might decree that The War precluded expansion until 1946, when both steam and diesels shared the rails and SIRT men did the work.

"26th Street" has fascinated me for many years, after hearing stories from my fellow employees of this operation that ended in 1973.  Many thanks to the folks at Trainweb who have built this fantastic webpage on the subject:

http://members.trainweb.com/be.../bo26.html#Phase%202

@Rapid Transit Holmes posted:

As usual, OGRF inspires me to action!  Having had the idea for a scale representation of the B&O 26th Street, Manhattan, Freight Station, et al, I hadn't gotten around to seeing what could be done.  Having made some scale measurements, it had occurred to me that this would make a good small layout for the rest home, should I last that long.  Car floats on rolling carts would provide the connection to the outside world. The layout could be modified in several ways to reduce its footprint, yet retain operational interest:

I make no claim to precision, but the layout shown is as close to scale as your humble correspondent can manage in a few hours at the computer.  The prototype plan is from 1930, the B&O has yet to expand into the next block south of the original facility. A vivid imagination might decree that The War precluded expansion until 1946, when both steam and diesels shared the rails and SIRT men did the work.

"26th Street" has fascinated me for many years, after hearing stories from my fellow employees of this operation that ended in 1973.  Many thanks to the folks at Trainweb who have built this fantastic webpage on the subject:

http://members.trainweb.com/be.../bo26.html#Phase%202

Me as well. My harbor layout was loosely based on the 26th street and lower Manhattan car float operations. I spent a lot of time pouring over the two volumes of Harbor Freight Railroads in Color.

Here are some shots of the car float/harbor scene I am doing on the club layout. Probably only 50% finished. It's a little further along than what these pictures show. I need to take some currents shots.

My hat goes off to all of you. I don’t have the STT. Space Time Talent. 

@pennsyfan posted:

Dave I disagree. Actually my water scene was created to compensate for tight space. I originally wanted to use the Lionel prewar coal elevator and lumber accessories. If memory serves you need 11 1/2" between tracks for those two items. That's a lot of real estate. So I had come up with the idea to have them dump to barges on the water using a dropdown table extension.

In the meantime I moved and started over again. I soon found that even having those accessories on water's edge I would lose a mainline track.

So I scraped those two accessories but kept the water idea. I had already purchased the tug and lift bridges.

I substituted the Seaboard Coaler and Magnetic Gantry Crane.

I have Mianne benchwork; so in order to install a piano hinge, I added a 1/2 x 6" pine board.

That created a gap between the tabletop and the seawall. So I created the walk out of wooden coffee stirrers. 

I recently finished the pour of Woodland scenics EZ water. Wasn't EZ, and I'm not too thrilled with it.

I tried India Ink wash for the first time. I used it to create a water line on the seawall.

 

I have the cardboard box barges filling in until I finish the barge project. The first one is almost done. I have to paint and add the hardware to the barge and the deck. If I have any rope left over I am gong to redo the scaffold for the welder.

My dad built this bridge kit for me about 40 years ago. I was never able to use it; so I just cut a small piece off one end and turned it into a fishing pier.

The Lionel lighthouse was another add on. I recently unpacked this Ertl Fireboat. I'm not sure that it's in scale. If I keep it; I'll have to cut the water to put it at the proper depth.

The next big effort will be another dropdown and pouring a river under these bridges.

My layout is 16 X 8 . This 1 X 8 extension provides many  opportunities to create scenery.

 

 

 

 

Bob,

The scene looks wonderful and very similar to an area I added on my layout to create my version of a harbor/waterfront. With that being said, I should have clarified my original statement. Because of space limitations many O scale model railroaders do not have harbors on their layouts. That is not to say none do, as you have clearly shown, but it certainly is not a priority or a regular scene on an O Scale layout. As another forumite stated in another thread, many of us are trying to see how much track we can get down in our spaces and things such as transitional countryside scenes, long stretches of roads along the tracks, large bodies of water, etc. understandably seem to be a rarity. I specifically did research on this site as well as others trying to find examples of O Scale layouts with this type of scene. The outcome was very slim, especially in relationship to the smaller scales.

BTW, just know I will be stealing some of your ideas when I begin this section on my layout. Is it actually called stealing since I'm telling you I'm going to do it, lol.

Dave

TRF18

You are doing nearly exactly what I have planned.  I am doing a RCS 3 way on my bridge to a 3 track ~38 inch barge. 

An interesting point, given concerns about space, the rail barge is my approach to dealing with my space issues.  Rather than doing a fiddle yard, cassette or sector plate, like our European and UK brothers, I decide to make it a scenic feature.  It will provide a place for me to roll-on and roll-off rolling stock, creating an obvious connection to the outside world, provide me a "permanent" programming track and with the addition of some rollers a stationary test track. 

There are some great ideas shared on the this thread. Thank you for sharing. Gives me a lot to think about. In fact, I love the O gaugers who adapt, create, and envision waterfront scenes despite limitations of space or scale proportions. Way to go Pennsyfan! I love your layout. It looks like you never forgot the fun that trains were about in the first place.

Great work guys. Outstanding modeling to be sure. Thanks for sharing. And for tr18, I like the Long Island motive power.

Andy

@JBuettner posted:

There are some great ideas shared on the this thread. Thank you for sharing. Gives me a lot to think about. In fact, I love the O gaugers who adapt, create, and envision waterfront scenes despite limitations of space or scale proportions. Way to go Pennsyfan! I love your layout. It looks like you never forgot the fun that trains were about in the first place.

Thanks J,

I do indeed enjoy “playing “ with trains. 

A small car float operation is in my layout plans, probably in the next couple of years.  In the meantime, I have collected some articles on construction:

I have listed a description of the article, not the exact title.  Tony English's article on the car barge and Neville Rossiter's article on the float bridge are both very detailed scale models.  The O Gauge RR articles are available to OGR Digital Subscribers and Neville's article is available from OST as a free pdf file here.  As others have done, I plan to have the Car Float, Tug, and "water" on a rolling platform that will mate with the layout when used, and can be stored when not in use.

Bob

Here's my version. Just wanted to created the end of a slip with a barge and tug. In this case I am depicting the loading of sand onto a barge to be shipped out. The entire scene isn't totally finished, but close. The tug is not wired up yet but is depicted as leaving the slip.  Attaching several pictures.

Looking great Jeff. Is that barge from a kit or scratch built?

That was a kit. Right off hand I can't remember the Company, but I can look it up.

I acquired the two barges pictured below from the kind and talented gentleman at the TCA York Meet who has been making and selling these for years. I lightly weathered one barge and hope to get the other one soon. The hope is to combine these with my Lionel B&O tug and some accessories for a coal and/or scrap loading scene. Will it be scale? Hardly! Until someone wills me a basement larger than the footprint of the Pentagon, scene compression and fun is what I seek. And that's why I enjoy seeing what others have accomplished.

Looks like they are the same kit as mine.

My barge kit came from Crow River Products in R.I.   Kit #330

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

Looks like they are the same kit as mine.

Could be but yours look exceptionally detailed. Did you add the planking, etc. yourself? Great waterfront layout, by the way!

No, this was all part of the kit.

Thanks for the compliment. I am not an accomplished modeler by any means, and my scratch built items were built by a friend of mine and I helped. As a for instance, my viaduct. My friend built this of styrene. Each "bent" has about 125 pieces. I put foam core as the roads and sidewalks. Bought the railings and street lights. I actually scratch built the stairs from an Atlas pedestrian walk over. This is reminiscent (likeness) of the 35th Street viaduct in Milwaukee that I remember so well.

I just ran across this thread and remembered reading about a spectacular model that three gentlemen in Michigan built about 17 years ago of the world's largest train ferry.

We live in Benicia, California along the Carquinez Straits,  where the Sacramento River flows through on its way to the Pacific Ocean. Our city would have been the Western most terminus of the transcontinental railroad, but the Central Pacific commissioned a ferry, the Solano, then later, another, the Contra Costa, that would accommodate two complete trains with their engines for the one mile journey across the straits and then onto the actual terminus in Oakland. The Solano operated for 50 years, until 1930 when the longest  through truss railroad bridge was built upstream and made the ferries obsolete.

The largest of which was 424 feet long and 110 feet wide. The model itself was built in HO scale and is nearly 5 feet long and almost 1.5 feet wide. Not including one of the fully working docks, which looks like it adds another four feet to the overall length of the model. The model is fully electrified and functional.

More info here

Could you imagine building this in O scale?! It would be amazing, to say the least. But as someone above mentioned, it would need the basement of the Pentagon to house it.

Footnote: The original transcontinental tracks are still in place and can be visited between our waste water treatment plant and the water front. Also the original depot and some of the remnants of the dock are still visible at the foot of First St.

GN ore dock. 12' long. Exact replica of their ore dock but not the length (would have been 30' long).

Working on an  8x8 foot L-shaped harbor area on my layout.  One side will have a 2 track car float and the other side will have a 7&1/2 foot bulk carrier for iron ore.

Pic of the float bridge area. I have yet to build the car float.

Picture of the wharf

This part is unfinished as I am working on the ore boat.

Pictures of the ore boat construction.  Got the hull done , now working on the deck and superstructure before cladding it in plastic sheeting.

Entire boat is so far scratch built with the bow and stern hand carved using only a coping saw and a 1&1/2 inch wood chisel.

When I finish the ore boat I will post a complete thread on its construction.

Water looking great! JohnA