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Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Len on March 11, 2026, 09:34:31 PM

Title: Industry Idea (If you have the space)
Post by: Len on March 11, 2026, 09:34:31 PM
Going through some Sanbord Fire Insurance maps and came across this one, published in 1951, that includes the Pfizer Chemical plant.  I worked there 1970 - 1972, and those track curves are sharp, and listening to flange aqueal was pretty much an all day thing. 15" and 18" radius curves would be right for this one.

Expand the pic for details. The building labeled 'Machine Shop' was actually the maintenance shed for the Pfizers in house locos.  There were a pair of 44 Tonners, painted dark Navy blue, when I was there. A 70 Tonner was added after I left, and the paint was changed to "Safety Orange".

You could use the same general configuration for another industry on a large layout, or just use it as a standalong switching layout.  There was plenty of activity going on, and not just tank cars. There would be boxcars to pick up 100lb sacks of finished dry chemicals and deliver sacks of chemicals used in production. Covered hoppers for bulk pickup of dry powdery chemicals. Even flat cars bringing in pipe and valves for mixing tanks.

Link to page:

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3784nm.g3784nm_g011521951/?sp=75&st=image

Len