Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2020 18:20:08 GMT
Tracks are in, shimming still a bit. Photos should be shortly. Ran a train through the inner main, smooth. Gonna have to change one approach track out on inner main, east side. Older track, and I can do better on curvature. But it works now, wires already in place...on my list.
|
|
|
Post by trainsintheattic on Jul 7, 2020 3:08:38 GMT
I only managed to take photos today. Here's a tour of the layout amid the turmoil. This area to the south has undergone some rearranging to store more trains. The return loop received an access swing section where once was a temporary bridge.
counterclockwise we step inside the loop. Storage is always at a premium. Hanging below is the remnants of the old Romex wire used to power the track in Buss fashion. The upper line is part of the second reverse loop that commonly serves as storage track. It is usually full of waiting consists as seem here. Further down is found the only semi senicked section where the main curves around into one arm of the "T". The siding also used for waiting trains while the upper level passes over then carries on over a temporary yet fully functional arch bridge. The 2 rail line with Plymouth switcher is simply ornamental. Here's pure chaos, home of a future river and where the main crosses back under itself. Facing north, this area had a total remake recently. the track on the lower level closest to the front is a newly added siding, mostly hidden by the upper level to the left. Bose 301's and a sub just behind the miter saw punch out the tunes when the mood strikes. " stuffed to the rafters" really means something up here! To the west the curved grade, yet to be named, gives healthy locos fits, especially when hauling a long string. Even though the plan is to run relatively short trains, 30 or 40 car drags are sometimes made up just to test motive power.
Another recent addition was expanding this junction yard to 3 tracks on the upper level. Below, the main and siding go completely down this west wall. The usage of Atlas switches combined with Gargraves was more a case of economics than preference. I can never get enough $50 #7.5's . The usual condition of the desk is strewn with projects in limbo. Further back is a bank of 3 ZW's, the power of which has not yet been fully utilized.
Finally, back inside the loop shows how the access section swings open. The newly rearranged 5 track storage yard to the left is at the layouts lowest level. Audio equipment is a hodge podge of old school tech but fully capable of violently moving most of my neighbors eardrums.
Hope you enjoyed the tour. Questions answered happily.
Bruce
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2020 3:33:41 GMT
These are some "before" photos of the area. Plus some upper view of the approaches.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2020 3:41:06 GMT
The two lift outs were a pa in to use. Used to be one before double-tracking. The third is the steeply graded line with lift out bridge (two cheap truss brazed together) laid up on the trestle for the mine. That line will be abandoned when the new mine goes in on the other side of the mountain. These photos are the opposite approach to the new flip over section, showing old main in front (now branch line) new main in center (with 45 degree crossover of unknown origin) and old mountain line (in use still) in back.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2020 17:55:11 GMT
|
|
|
Post by ptc on Jul 7, 2020 19:43:57 GMT
Bruce, love your photos and your layout.
|
|
|
Post by ptc on Jul 7, 2020 19:44:44 GMT
Good work Scale Craft, thanks for the photos.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2020 10:52:55 GMT
WOW BRUCE!!! YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON!! GREAT UTILIZATION OF SPACE! YOU CAN'T BEAT VYNIL...IT HAS THE WARMEST SOUND!!
WELL DONE,
Gary.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2020 10:57:16 GMT
SCALECRAFT, ANOTHER GREAT LAYOUT!! THAT'S A LOT OF REDO AS WELL. THANKS FOR THE UPDATED PHOTOS!!
KEEP ON KEEPING ON,
Gary.
|
|
|
Post by trainsintheattic on Jul 8, 2020 15:30:43 GMT
WOW BRUCE!!! YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON!! GREAT UTILIZATION OF SPACE! YOU CAN'T BEAT VYNIL...IT HAS THE WARMEST SOUND!! WELL DONE, Gary. Thanks Gary. It all becomes too much for decent photos without layout skirts. A room having to contain all the tools, materials and train storage sometimes means substantial shuffling is required before work can proceed. Because of the inherent peaked ceiling ( just a tad over 6' in the middle ) the wall space for hanging stuff is limited. Had I built the layout 1 foot off the floor then the layout size could have expanded but severely limited storage. Compromises! Compromises! The vinyl collection gets more exercise these days than it ever did when located elsewhere in the house. I'm even exploring old railroad recordings. Bruce
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2020 3:57:46 GMT
This shot of the top, lid closed, the GarGraves ties cut, glued and brad nailed in, holds (not tight) the track ties on the flip section aligned with mating tracks. This shows the fixed benchwork with lid raised. Again you can see the tie guides. File the soundstop to make the track align vertically. The two blocks you see screwed to the 1X4 benchwork are stops for the lid. the one on the right, I removed and ground it down a bit on top to set level right where I wanted it. Close-up of outer main with lid raised. Good detail on tie guides, and the cardboard shim to set that track where I wanted it. The track is secured with oh, 1" stainless flathead screws, holes in ties pre-drilled and countersunk. Underneath, non-hinged side. You can see the stops. The unpainted part is the key to hold it from moving sideways if someone leans on it. Screwed to underside of lid, just fits between stops. This one happens to be 14-1/2" long. The trailer plugs provide power from block at the hinged end, so when unplugged the block on the deck non-hinged is dead. The original trailer plugs now at hinged end are still in place in case I need to remove the lid for scenery, access, whatever.
|
|
|
Post by Joe Saggese on Jul 9, 2020 9:41:52 GMT
|
|
|
Post by ptc on Jul 9, 2020 10:52:40 GMT
Joe, you are an inspiration, always new projects. Way to go.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2020 11:25:57 GMT
LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER HOME RUN JOE!!
Gary.
|
|
|
Post by Adam on Jul 9, 2020 11:30:15 GMT
Great progress guys. Love the evolution of the layouts and the roof.
|
|