I've Been Working on the Layout

About 10 days ago, I did some trimming of the table at two corners to facilitate moving around the layout. A significant project has interrupted work on the layout. Alfred

I spent the day doing work on the layout. I finished doing the trimming around the perimeter of the table top (using a saber saw (I had incorrectly referred to it as a jig saw in my recent posts. It’s a Craftsman I’ve had for over 40 years. I had to re-secure the guide so that it would not tilt and give other than 90 degree cuts.) I can move easily around 3 sides of the layout. I left a centered 18” x 36” opening along the back wall for surface access. I have a handle on the 2”x x 4” vertical support so I can help myself up from below. (I need to install another on the lateral part of the frame.
I began screwing down the table top panels; only about one-quarter done. I have to install boards under the plywood to join the seams. I also installed a 6” x 36” extension along the northwest side so that I could get some straight tracks in and avoid a sharp curve.
The last significant benchwork project is to cut away some of the northside table top over hang to allow two transformers to sit on top of a cabinet that sits underneath; and to make a panel for controls. (I gave the portable vacuum a workout today. I am aggravated for ruining so many screw heads.) Alfred

, I screwed down the outer loop of track, and fitted a nested inner loop to check clearance on the new layout table top. I will experiment with track plans, by placing track, that allow the most action – for me, that means many switches. I want to bring as many features into the new layout as were on the old one – I am sure that I will be unable to do many, as this layout is smaller. The layout runs north / south. The entrance to the room brings you near the southwest corner. I installed the transformer / control area the northwest corner. I began running wire – I hooked up a horn under the southeast corner. (from a post war F3) It is activated by push button which is near the door entrance. (I used 3/8” staples on the 2” x 4” frame under the plywood overhang. I will switch to ½” staples so that more room is available to pull wires through.) I plan to put a number of accessory / other controls at this location; including a switch controller and Lionel post war 1033 transformer. This is so that my granddaughter and guest can operate some features, like gateman and operating cars. For fun, I set up a Lionel postwar 125 Whistle Shack in the northeast corner; although it is not hard wired in. All of this will have to come off when I start the covering process. Alfred

Post by josef on 5 hours ago
"...I found after I had set my water tower and coaling facility in place, I found out engine going forward, they cleared but when backing up, slightly touched both."

Walt, Isn't that always the way - take all the precautions, and yet...

In my case, I left as little room around the layout for access, so that I could have two nested O72 loops. I used a straight section on the curves in the outer loop to get space for the inner loop. I suppose that I could have used smaller radius than 72 for the inner loop; however, I am stuck in post war land. I really wanted sweeping curves on this layout to display passenger and long freight consists. This is going to be at the expense of having lots of switches - which is also a goal of mine. If I can't do the operations I want with O72 in the inner loop, I will go to O31 for that section. Alfred

I have been able to squeeze out only an hour or two every few days to work on the new layout.



As a recap: I have trimmed all sides of the table top for walk around access. I have 2 transformers (Lionel KW and V in place at the main control area. I have placed a small control panel from the old layout on the shelf under the transformers – it has manual push button control for a whistle, horn, gateman, and a direction/ whistle control for the V transformer There is a toggle switch to cut power to the track. (So that I can switch to another transformer.)

The four seams between sheets of plywood are flush and secure.



Some of the recent items have been the installation of a small shelf for a Lionel 1041 transformer under the center of the layout for accessory power,



I also made a small shelf for a Lionel 1033 transformer on the outside of the benchwork frame, so that one of the loops can be controlled by a second operator.



I have just completed the secondary control panel. It will be mounted next to the 1033 transformer . It is shown in the photo. It has not been installed or wired to accessories yet. (I now connect short leads to controls and accessories, and then connect with wire using electrical tape for single connections, or wire nut for multiple wires.)



From left to right the buttons will control: whistle, horn, gateman, , accessory, and operating track section. The toggle (SPDT) to its upper left is to power the spur on/off and to switch between track and transformer power; and the toggle on upper right is to cut power from the transformer to the track.



Alfred

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Just make sure what ever has largest over hang can clear any thing else with approx. same over hang. Looks good though. I always went 1 size down for inner loop to avoid such problems, nothing worst than get it screwed down and 2 items tap/hit each other.