The CSX: Miami Downtown spur is a switching district layout, it is set in modern day Miami following the Miami River near the airport through to the produce district.
Essential Details:
- Scale: N
- Size 11′ x 7′
- Control Method: DCC
- Track: Atlas Code 55
Layout Plan
(click to enlarge)
The layout starts on the bottom right corner of the centre peninsula. This is the route from Hialeah yard, it continues south towards the Bascule bridge but the downtown spur splits off just before, following the line of the Miami river. Scrap merchants and a propane dealer flank the line before it enters the produce district which continues all the wayaround the other side of the peninsula, including the prototype switchback.
Operations:
This layout is a distributed switching layout, occupying almost 40 linear feet of space for a single switching area. The area is criss-crossed by roads which can’t be blocked, and must be protected by flares before crossing. The cars are switched using CC/WB (in theory used as a mechanism to create a mimickry of a real-life CSX switchlist) for the single switching job which starts and terminates on the mainline at the end of the peninsula.
Positives:
Because the areas of operation are spread out so much there’s a real sense of going somewhere, which wasn’t present on PSF. The Atlas Code 55 used throughout was far superior to the Peco Code 55 in looks and performance, especially the #10 used on the mainline. Fully authentic operation and layout meant there was a great sense of satisfaction without compromise.
Negatives:
Unfortunately up-to-the-minute CSX just didn’t ring my bell. I worked under the impression that because I wasn’t a fan of CSX or even the modern era it would further enhance the authenticity. However, this extreme operations-based approach made it rather clinical and although I enjoyed the mechanics, there was no flair to hold my interest.
Lessons Learnt:
- Distributed switching is a great way to fill any space, assuming you can find a suitable prototype.
- The chosen prototype needs to interest you.
- Good trackwork helps keep the suspension of disbelief.
- Operations are a great framework but can’t stand entirely alone.
