Switching Phelps-Dodge Complex. Finally!

Switching Phelps-Dodge, ending this series of switching videos. I've completed a cardboard mock-up of most of the last structure. Let me know if you like it or not.
My model railroad is a 10' x 13' HO scale shelf layout set on Long Island in the mid 1960s (give or take). Why I model the LIRR is a long story... While at one time it was "done," I'm currently re-doing about 25% of it.
Track plan postimg.cc/144...
LIRR History: www.trainsarefu...
New York waterfront railroading: members.trainwe...

[@roadsscholar4012]

Mockup looks great! Don't raise the roof. It looks realistic as is. You have a great modeling talent.

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

Thanks! Unfortunately my wife outranks you so I will probably raise it a little bit.

[@josephcosta5161]

Wow great 👍 improvement.... Excellent job... Phelps dodge looks good 👍 do it..., Joe ... Born n raised in L. I..

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewpalm2103]

I very much like the look of the new mock-up area. More generally, your layout is quite unique looking among the shelf switching layouts I have seen due to your choice of prototype location and its many kitbashed and scratchbuilt structures. As usual, I look forward to future videos on its development. Cheers from Wisconsin!

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

Thanks Andrew. Always appreciate your comments.

[@bobainsworth5057]

The key to your and other switching ops is --- speed. I like the relaxed pace . No pressure , just running trains which is the point , isn't it?

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching.

[@Blue_Dingo]

I agree so much with this. As a 26 year Railroad Carman (UP), from a 118 year railroad family (Same yard), nothing ruins the video of switching a nice layout more than speed. Nothing happens fast on the railroad. Crew has to walk to everything, joints have to be stretched, air joints have to be made, brakes tested. Speed limits, "Hey we need a Carman or Engine House out here."; its raining, snowing, hot; can't make the joint; set or remove handbrakes; Managers hiding in bushes, testing with red flag; Carman has to lock and flag, or unlock track, left a lock; Beans; etc, etc, etc. Nice to see you take the time to do it right. There are some stunning Model Railroads, I will not name, that go zipping through switch moves so fast, i just can not watch them. I like your pace though.

[@jimbarrett1975]

I really enjoyed that, nice and relaxing to watch a bit of switching whilst I work. I think I agree with your wife ref the roof over the crane - having it a bit higher would clear the crane more and also vary the profile of the roofs of the complex a bit.

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

Thanks for watching. That seems to be the consensus regarding the roof.

[@davidbrown4823]

If this is the mock up, the real one will be greater as this is great.

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

I kinda thought the cardboard looked pretty good, too! But I will be replacing it with Evergreen "metal siding" #4526.

[@greatnorthernrailwaytother4711]

Great switching session. Like cardboard mock-up. Roof over crane would look better if it were parallel with crane rails, I like the concept. Cheers Peter.

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

Thanks for watching. And, well, cardboard gonna cardboard. The final will be straight!

[@KenN.OXN.805]

I wonder whether he means the peak line being parallel with the rails would look better?

[@thecnwmondovilinepaulscota7304]

Nice switching video, truly enjoyed it. I would raise the roof a bit over the crane so we can see and enjoy the details of it. The sides of that central roof cover is a perfect place for the company's signs advertising their name.

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

Thanks! And you're right, I hadn't thought of that.

[@FlyingCrow]

Nice ops. Thanks for sharing.

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffbranch8072]

I like the structure, I think it looks good. With regard to "design for operations" I'm generally not in favor of having buildings in front that one would have to reach into or around to uncouple cars, especially guest operators. In that case I'd rather have the trackage in front of the structures. But if there's no reason to reach into that area, and little risk of causing any damage to it, then I absolutely think it adds interest to the scene.

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

I agree on principle, but sometimes you gotta break the rules! I did keep the front part of the structure as low as I could.

[@jeffbranch8072]

@@longislandrailroadmontaukb982 , your layout your rules! I think it's fine, and I expect you've already considered it's placement with respect to ops.

[@jeffbranch8072]

I had a friend who was adding operations to his layout - Keweenaw Peninsula copper mining, and had some very nice scratch built mine heads. He invited me as a guest operator for a fresh eyes shakedown. On one of these mine head structures the spur went behind it, and when uncoupling my shirt sleeve caught on the roof and it moved. It was intentionally left loose, and I didn't break anything, but it scared the CRAP out of me when it happened. So after that I would uncouple first in the clear, then shove.

[@jeansoukiassian7580]

One more nice video, Phelps-Dodge, is taking shape nicely, the covering of the overhead crane is a good thing too. Will wait for the real construction. Just one thing, you've put lights, leds for sure, the color is really blue, just my two cents...In any kind, like the layout.

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

My overhead lighting is grossly insufficient. When I first put it in I wasn't planning on doing videos, and it was good enough. Now I need to put in a valence and lighting, but carpentry is my weak spot so I keep putting it off.

[@mloik1]

Great layout! Do you have a video where you show how you do your concrete foundations, loading docks, and abutments?

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

I don't, but I learned everything I know from Jason Jensen Trains. He's a master. In brief, a piece of closed cell insulation cut to size, a thin coat of dry wall mud (not always necessary, depends on the Styrofoam), a coat of light beige-ish chalk paint, followed by a wash of light grey craft paint. Then weather with powders.

[@mloik1]

@@longislandrailroadmontaukb982 Thanks, I will give that a try. Once you described it, I realized I have seen that done in a video by JJT. But I will go back and re-watch it.

[@Blue_Dingo]

Raise the roof, or lots of scale lighting under roof. Possibly a bit of both.

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

I plan on doing both. Someday I'll actually get to it!

[@KenN.OXN.805]

What about glass roof?

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

I think that would be a tad unrealistic.

[@KenN.OXN.805]

@@longislandrailroadmontaukb982 I don’t know. Bet there’s got to be some example somewhere. Anyway, what’s realistic about using 80’ pointy poles to uncouple cars?😉😀