It's been fun watching your progress! Layout is looking very good, and I'm glad you're enjoy the operations! You went with Peco Electrofrogs, yes? As long as the blades are clean, and the section of stock rail they connect to are clean, there shouldn't be a problem powering the frogs. A wipe of alcohol or a brush of NeoLube helps, too. If you're still not satisfied, then you can still power the frogs: cut the small wires between the frog and point rails, solder a wire for the frog, and then connect to either a frog juicer (Tam Valley) or a slide switch (which could also replace your Caboose Ind. ground throws). A Hex Frog Juicer or two should be enough for the whole layout: you should be able to attach more than 6 frogs to each, just make sure that the frogs are spaced between the two juicers so multiple frogs won't be triggered at the same time. Looking forward to see more progress!
M.C it was two years ago that you and I planned this layout and the design you came up with has met all my requirements. At this stage cleaning the switches seems to have worked however I am glad I still have an option to power the frogs if need be, I will also do some research into the frog juicers, Was planning on sending you emails to update you but am happy you are following the thread
Two years ago? Wow: seems like half a year! Guess that makes me older than I thought Definitely following along! Am very happy you like the design, and even more happy you've felt comfortable adapting it to your needs and space over the course of the build. It's ending up a bit different than how I "imagineered" it in terms of structures and some track, but that's not a bad thing. You're making it yours! Very groovy. Can't remember if you're going to add LEDs to the structures, but they do make a shelf layout like yours really "pop". As long as the structures aren't glued down you can go back and add them later. Looking forward to seeing more of the layout come to life!
Looks like your crews won't be going hungry. Just don't block any crossings, or the local residents will be very grumpy.
Well i used to be a KFC man but trying to stay healthy theses days, the interesting thing will be how do I weather to make them look not as new and toy like
This weekend I formed up for the roads and parking areas then filled the first layer of filler, once this dries over the next few days I will apply a light skim of filler before sanding and painting
I may just have overlooked this earlier, but what do you use to keep the flangeways clear? I've heard a lot of different techniques, and I think I'm going to do a crossing whenever I get around to a second T-track module, so I get curious about pros and cons.
In case you've not seen it, there is a really neat method in Mike Highsmith's "Rainier Great Western" (HO) layout construction topic. See post #712.
