Vol. 50: Chuck Hitchcock's Argentine Industrial District Railway
The Argentine Industrial District Railway is Chuck Hitchcock’s answer to the question, “Is it possible to outgrow a renowned 30-year-old layout?” This former Santa Fe Argentine division was famous for being one of the first layouts operated in a prototype manner, and it was a subject of Great Model Railroads Volume 29. Chuck was especially noted for his work in recreating accurate passenger train operations of the early 1950s, and he’s pioneered innovative ways to enjoy the hobby.
The new installment of this HO railroad began as an idea about a decade before its creation. The Argentine industrial district represents a Santa Fe switching line around Kansas City in 1963. All trains operate under yard limit rules. Chuck wanted to build a layout that would provide opportunities for switching capabilities.
The Argentine Industrial District Railway sits in a 24×26-foot basement that housed the old layout for 30 years. The benchwork runs around the room and is cantilevered from the walls, and the railway switches many Kansas City industries. Let’s take a ride along Chuck’s famous tracks!
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2:25The Argentine Industrial District Railway of Chuck Hitchcock is his answer to the question: is it possible to outgrow a famous 30-year-old layout? This former Santa Fe Argentine division was famously known as one of the first layouts to be operated in a prototype manner and was a subject of Great Model Railroads Volume 29.…
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9:05In this video, tour the Argentine Industrial District HO scale switching railway of Chuck Hitchcock with Allen Keller. The tour begins at the Strongheart Dog Food company. Engine 2099 passes the scrap yard and Dresser Furniture in back. The Alco RS2 with steam generators is kept on the property for this kind of service. With…
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12:44Operations on the Argentine Industrial District Railway of Chuck Hitchcock start as the Santa Fe transfer run, hidden by the freight house, comes onto the district with a cut of grain boxcars. These empty, unloaded cars are headed to Elevator A. In the foreground, the switchers pull a block of empty refers from the produce…
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12:12The Argentine Industrial District HO scale switching railway of Chuck Hitchcock is quite a departure from Chuck’s previous railroad. In this video Allen Keller asks why he tore out the old Santa Fe railways to build his new layout. Chuck wanted to go for something a bit more relaxed and easier to own and operate.…
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5:56Learn how modeler Chuck Hitchcock lays track without nails. Several years ago while visiting some model railroaders for an operating weekend in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, he noticed that they were using a material that wasn’t cork or homosote for roadbed. They used a foam material they called topper tape. He had never heard the term before…
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8:24One of Chuck Hitchcock’s objectives on his Argentine Industrial District layout was to take the car cards out of the hands of the crew. To do this, he took all the car cards that used to be out on the railroad and consolidated them in one place so the crews did not have to handle…
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7:05The signage on the buildings of Chuck Hitchcock’s Argentine Industrial District railway are especially interesting on the west bottom to the east bottom of Kansas City. One of the most common signs is the Dolkos Bag Company which consists of white letters on a black background. To create this, Chuck paints the entire structure white,…
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