@Boilermaker1 posted:
. .BNSF runs a local or 2 south of LAX around El Segundo, and I think UP runs one in Torrance that also are probably worth exploring on a map.
Before I begin, check out https://historicaerials.com/ which is a great site for research purposes. You can purchase prints of various coverages for more detail. It also includes Topographical imagery which roughly shows the track layouts.
The BNSF local comes out of the Watson Yard in Wilmington and serves a couple of industries (Dow Chemical for one). It was cut back substantially to be replaced by the LA Metro Expo Line extension to LAX.
The UP Torrance Branch (former SP Torrance branch/former PE Torrance/San Pedro branch) originates out of a small yard in Downtown Los Angeles and heads through part of the old LA-Long Beach PE line into Gardena (serves several industries along the line including a lumber yard on Western and 166th street (the old PE line to Redondo Beach). Further south (RR west) there are industries along and off Normandie Avenue, then it swings toward Torrance and the old PE Torrance Depot (now a restaurant) beneath the Torrance PE bridge. There was a southward curve that switched onto a line across the bridge to a steel plant (now gone). Further along the line it turns down Sartori to a couple of warehouses next to where the PE Torrance Shops were located. If you had the massive real estate available, it would make for an interesting switching layout. The City of Torrance recently put out an RFP to structurally restore the bridge (it's in the city logo). The work turned out great. By the way, I have the RFP which includes the drawings and dimensions on the bridge. I'd love to integrate it into a layout since there were tracks ON it that connected to tracks going UNDER it. A figure-8 would be simple but incredibly large.
