Manunkachunk trackage - Model Railroader Magazine

gregc

Can someone explain the trackage in this photo from Shorpy's?

 from left to right:

• the track at the very front enters a tunnel at the left edge of the photo  (from other photos, i think there are two tunnel entrances,  the 2nd not shown in the photo)
  

I don't think there are 2 tunnel portals.  This is a junction between a line that runs along a river (seen in hte background) and another line that crosses through the mountain into another valley.

• "team track"(?) for freight

Don't think that's a "team track, there is no way to get a "team" in to where the cars are.  Its probably more of freight transfer or freight house.

• track looping around a building toward a turntable?
• track more clearly entering a turntable

Looks like two turntable leads.

• relatively short siding, but what purpose?
• main and passing siding, but are is the length typical of the times (1900)

Its a runaround, for short moves (a caboose, a couple passenger cars).  Regardless of whether they are "typical", that's what was there.

questions

• why a turntable here?
• could there really be two tracks leading to the turntable?
• could the short siding be just for an engine? 
• where can i get model freight cars of those in this photo?

Probably to turn the engine coming of the branch.

Sure there could be two tracks leading to the turntable.  Why not?

The short siding is for anything they want to use it for.

Silver Crash models, LaBelle, Art Griffin Decals and several more. Roundhouse has newer 36 ft cars RTR.   All others will be craftsman wood or resin kits.  The major plastic manufacturers don't make models of cars prior to the 1930's or maybe WW1.