Still Progressing

All has not been quite, though the progress is sometimes only slightly forward.


Over the last few weeks I have focused on adding additional power blocks to allow the running of multiple trains, or at least run trains on both loops, independently. Sometimes I do think it would have been easier to do this from the onset, rather than quickly run temporary wiring to run trains, but the whole point IS to have fun, isn't it.


At present, I'm focusing on getting the main line and passenger station area fully and properly wired before moving on to the freight yard construction. This will also involve the addition of a few more turnouts, to complete some badly needed crossovers, but not necessarily motorizing them yet.


All control blocks will allow the choice of DC or DCC power, though I have not considered a facility for multiple DC controllers. One option lies with CMRI's Train Brain, but that will be some ways off if at all.


More to follow during the Christmas break!

Trackwork and Running - Who needs a Big Boy?

As part of the work needed to allow running on both main tracks, and all station tracks, insulated gaps are needed to break up the long main line into smaller blocks. I know I should have done this during construction, but wasn't aware of the impact of the Peco Electrofrog turnouts on the conduction of electricity, nor appreciated how much simpler it would have been to use them, instead of cutting and filling gaps.


Live and learn...


But did some any way, and spent some time running a train or two. Everyone I know has, wants, or would like a Big Boy and/or a Challenger. Why? It's only one locomotive, and it's used by one rail road on one specific piece of the line. And it's that least favorite rail road (lol). Look at what five GP7s can do, and IMHO, with more style. This one is submitted for your entertainment:

Until next time....

Preparation...

No real excitiement this time; spent a few hours soldering some track joints, and adding feeder wires to a majority of the second loop and station (platform and service) tracks in preparation for running the second track. I need to gap several places near the turnouts to avoid shorts (one disadvantage in the superior Peco Electrofrog models. Once I get the track-work sorted out, I might start on the station, or the freight yard, and at LEAST get the arrival/departure track in so I can park another train while I operate...

Until next time!

Troublesome Track No More!

I found a very cool portable light which throws out 120 watts of bright light; perfect for working on troublesome track, so I attacked a troublesome turnout; it wouldn't let me run one direction with most stuff, and derailed a number of locomotives going the other direction:

The turnout on the left hand side (above) was replaced with a Peco long radius turnout:

Next project is to get the jog out of the tracks on the left-hand side of the above photo so I can get the wiring done, and run both mains. But at the minute I can run both directions at good speed through the one loop...


Also, these were taken under the new light with the iPhone:

I'll bring the camera and try it under the light next time, and get some videos as well..



The next day I took the plunge and re-laid the other offending turnout at the end of the passenger station to remove the kinks in the track. The previous:

The new:

A wider-angel view of the work showing the new smoother lines. I tracked a string of Micro-Trains Pullmans and Athearn Maxi-Stacks through to confirm the smoothness:

Hopefully next time I can get some wiring done and run trains on both lines next time...

A Small Step

Haven't been totally quiet on the layout, but progress was limited to a few feeder wires on the second main line, so I can run trains in both directions. And a little track maintanence, to fix a derailment spot. I may have to cut one of the old Shinohara turnouts and replace it with a Peco one, but time will tell...

Overdue Progress Report

I prepared this a couple of weeks ago, but hadn't had the opportunity to get it posted here. Not sure how many are following my progress religiously, but apologies for the delay. It's been a little busy, and a little warm, so other things have gotten "in the way" as it were.

On day one I managed to get the last small sections in place to connect all the platform tracks:




I also finished the double track on one side, at least temporarily, so I can run trains until I motorize the turnouts. Hopefully I'll have time tomorrow to finish the mainline, and get some video shoots done!

More on the To Do List:

From the crossover to the box in the distance is all that is left to do to be completely double tracked; it's only pinned in place at the minute, and I need one more turnout to fit the right to left crossover about where the Bachmann box sits. Then perhaps in a couple of weeks I can run opposing trains...

Crossover - To Be Completed

This is beginning of the last bit to do on the mainline as seen in the previous picture; another left to right crossover to let trains into the other platforms, and keep all platforms accessible form all tracks. The turnout with the pins on it is not fixed at all, and the one next to it is only temporarily in place, until it gets powered. The trailing point turnout in this photo has a motor, and eventually all of the passenger station and mainline turnouts will be powered...

The Double Track

Day two:

Most of the rest of the loop is already doubled; the two ends of the yard WERE all that was left. I managed to get this end done tonight, and now just waiting for the glue to dry. Just beyond the pins is a crossover that will allow left-hand trains to cross to the right-hand line. Another crossover for the opposite is located on the far side of the loft.

I got the crossover fixed in place, though the turnouts can still come out to attach switch motors:

So far the stub to the freight yard is a bit abbreviated...

Then I moved on to the remainder of the double track:

The track is down, the glue is drying, and the pins hold it all in place until it's done...

And only one small section left to go:

There will be a crossover here, so there wasn't much point in putting this piece of track down, to only have to cut it out later. Hopefully I can source these two at least, and get the mainline track connected all the way around.

I shot a few moments of video:

The lighting is pretty poor for the video, so I need to make this a priority. Once I have the sidings and crossovers working I can spend more time operating, so the plan is to have better light at least by then. My portable work lights are good enough for snapshots and work, but not video...

It's been another long break...

Life has a funny way of getting in the way of what you'd like to do. But once in a while you do get to do the things you want to as well...

Spent a good bit of time working on the passenger lines in and out of the station:


I guess this will be "Track 1". Behind the heavyweights is the other platform, just laid in place to see what it looked like. The other platform will go on top of the cork you see between the tracks...

You can get an idea of what I'm working on. There are thirteen cars in the Santa Fe train, and the platform is (barely) long enough for it all.

I also roughed in the second main line on the west end, but didn't fasten down the turnout or track this side of it, as I'd like this one to be powered. Another project for another day, but getting closer to having two lines running at once.

It looks like there is a jog in the track (2nd from right), but it's an illusion; I rolled two Maxi Stacks through it at speed to test it, and at the turnout it looks fine. Also one of the last of my old track. Have to break down and buy some more very soon.



More to follow!