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All Gauge Model Railroading Page

O and O27 Portside Railways

Waterfront rail operations can be a most enjoyable theme for an O gauge railroad. They employ a bevy of smaller locomotive types such as the Docksider and similar tank engines, plus smaller diesels like the 44-tonner or an electric such as the #520 boxcab. The original inspiration for this layout is an old line of the now-defunct Hoboken Shore Railroad, which passed under the bluff at Elysian Park.

A pierside operation that does simple unloading is simple, but if your pike loads and unload plus supplies ships, you have to work in provision of fuel. That means dealing with incoming coal hoppers and / or tank cars and outgoing empties, as well as the normal freight. Have some refrigerated cars, since these would be bringing food for the ships' crews. You can also have smaller Maintenance of Way equipment, ore car for ballasting, etc.

Imagine a coal or log loaded dumping its load right into a barge berthed at pierside, or a Barrel loader filling a gondola for a ship at the port. There is plenty of activity for the O gauger here! The portside layouts shown here can be used "as is," or added as tensions to existing layouts.

This 4' by 10' layout uses O27 track and turnouts. It would work with smaller cars and locomotives like the MTH Docksider, Williams 44 Tonner and other very small switchers. We show the line rising from water level to a bluff, but the entire layout can be set ant one level of you prefer. Area atop the bluff includes engine facilities inside the loop, and two sidings at bottom are interface with a regular freight railway. Inside the left upper loops would be industries served by the portside railway.

This O Railway is also four by ten. It is arranged similar to the previous O27 pike, although the only piers are on the left.. This pike can accommodate most medium-sized locomotives such as the Lionel and Williams NW2, K-Line MP15, MTH SW8, and standard types like the EMD GP and Alco RS.

The same layout with piers along the top. It is now 7' by 10'

By using angular piers, we can fit into a 6' by 10' area

What if you have a corner of a room separated by an aisle? Here we have a 4' by 10' pike to the left and a 4' by 8' to the right, connected by a bridge (orange) than can be removed when you're done running trains. These pierside pikes appeal to folks who enjoy switching operations and trackside loader-type accessories.

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This 4' by 10' layout uses O27 track and turnouts. It would work with smaller cars and locomotives like the MTH Docksider, Williams 44 Tonner and other very small switchers. We show the line rising from water level to a bluff, but the entire layout can be set ant one level of you prefer. Area atop the bluff includes engine facilities inside the loop, and two sidings at bottom are interface with a regular freight railway. Inside the left upper loops would be industries served by the portside railway.
This O Railway is also four by ten. It is arranged similar to the previous O27 pike, although the only piers are on the left.. This pike can accommodate most medium-sized locomotives such as the Lionel and Williams NW2, K-Line MP15, MTH SW8, and standard types like the EMD GP and Alco RS.
The same layout with piers along the top. It is now 7' by 10'
By using angular piers, we can fit into a 6' by 10' area