While I like working with the jigs, when available, the point/frog jig is a must. So much quicker and easier
Time for a MILESTONE! This weekend, I closed the loop on the main line, and got trains running with my iPhone with WiThrottle and JMRI on a Raspberry Pi. Update Video Part 4 is just some entertainment running trains, but I plan/hope to release Part 5 soon with some narrative and description about the work that was done. Enjoy!!
Time for another video update... this one provides an overview of the lift-up bridge across the aisle...
Quick update... I got the passing siding at Frost River installed... In the photos, the well cars are on the siding, the Viewliner is on the main, and the empty track is the yard A/D. Getting closer to a fully complete main, but I've got some family stuff this week, so it'll be a couple weeks before more progress is made. Track laying progress - Frost River siding installed by Mark, on Flickr Track laying progress - Frost River siding installed by Mark, on Flickr Track laying progress - Frost River siding installed by Mark, on Flickr
Well, real life with work and high school kids has caused me to practically fall off the map for a few months, but as is true with so many of us, the (supposedly) cooling weather brings more time in the train room. I *have* been able to make at least some progress, particularly over the past week or two, so here is a bit of an update. First, I'm slowly laying track into staging. This is tedious business because I have to do a lot of figuring on getting the tracks to fit, and also on placement of the many various sensors that will be installed for managing the hidden trackage. More detail on that later (soon, I hope), but at least I've been able to lay some roadbed and piece together the beginnings of the yard ladders. Slow progress by Mark, on Flickr And also I got the siding for W.T. Young Storage (where the train is standing) installed and operational, which defines where the front of the buildings that will hide staging will be. Slow progress by Mark, on Flickr I'm now stalled on staging, waiting for more turnouts and more track, and I've got twenty IR sensors to build up for installation as well. Meanwhile, I got three of the industrial tracks installed, with ME Code 40 track. Standlee Hay: Untitled by Mark, on Flickr 84 Lumber: Untitled by Mark, on Flickr Untitled by Mark, on Flickr And the Georgia Pacific "Dixie Cup" plant: Untitled by Mark, on Flickr Untitled by Mark, on Flickr I've also got plans on another video update, which will cover the electrical side of things under the bench, but I want to get at least one of the IR sensors installed in staging, to show how those will work. Thanks for watching!!
I FINALLY put together another video update. This one covers some of the electronics on the layout. Apologies in advance for the shaky parts.
OK, here's a planning question... I want to have a small (80 scale foot) turntable in engine service. There's a prototype I'm modeling ("inspired by") in Paris, KY. It's not big enough for large steam (which I generally don't run) but will handle even a SD70 or GEVO if necessary, and the engine shops will really only be servicing the older, smaller "local" power anyway. I have a couple of different options for where to place the roundhouse, and whether to use an actual roundhouse or a more modern, rectangular diesel shop. My favorite so far is this one: Engine Service Planning by Mark, on Flickr I can rotate the roundhouse around several degrees either direction, the placement minimizes blockage of working track, and helps to disguise/distract from what's going on with staging trackage behind the main line. Plus, the "front" of the roundhouse would be visible to the aisle, which has much goodness with it. Same location with a rectangular shop: Engine Service Planning by Mark, on Flickr If I put the shop structure on this side, I can extend "open" storage and fuel/sand/etc. tracks back to the left in front of the yard, while still leaving space for a small yard office, parking, and maybe even some non-railroad structure/scenery. The other option is to put the shop to the left... Engine Service Planning by Mark, on Flickr Engine Service Planning by Mark, on Flickr Engine Service Planning by Mark, on Flickr This version creates more scenic separation between the yard scene and the more rural scene around to the right, but the structure then blocks some of the working yard tracks, and I don't think the view is as nice. I'm interested in your thoughts, though, pros / cons, other options, etc.
The Peco turntable would fight your needs. As for the building, I personally would go for a roundhouse like the first picture.
Good news! Frost River Yard is very close to being operational! Last night I was able to lay the yard ladder and get the throwbar switches installed. All that is left there is hooking up the feeder wires and fro power. I also laid out the yard tracks in the general locations where they will go. I want to spend some time "fiddling" with the track placement before permanently installing the yard tracks, but they will be functional as soon as I clean the weathering stuff off the rail tops. One of the nice things about using the MicroEngineering track is that it will hold its shape, so I can use it before gluing it down. Some pics: Frost River Yard by Mark, on Flickr Frost River Yard by Mark, on Flickr
That flopped over hopper just looks so right! Am sure enjoying your progress rreports, and seeing the kiddo helping! Nothing like that kind of good help.
Here's a little side project... I picked up this FRED kit at a recent train show, and finally got it installed. It's battery operated. The fiber optic ... fiber is supposed to stop at the end of the boxcar, but I extended it out to a simple model EOTD device. I colored the fiber black between the car and the EOTD so that it would remain unobtrusive. The on/off switch is mounted on the side of the undercarriage. I was going to color it all black but it turns out to be very unobtrusive down there. FRED! by Mark, on Flickr (CLICK ME! I'M A VIDEO!!) FRED! by Mark, on Flickr FRED! by Mark, on Flickr FRED! by Mark, on Flickr FRED! by Mark, on Flickr FRED! by Mark, on Flickr
It's been a while since I posted ... because there hasn't been much going on all summer. I've been taking a bit of a break of the summer to work on other projects. I've got a few things done lately, though... First, some electronics... my LocoNet Infrared detector board is working... LocoNet IR Detector by Mark, on Flickr I had to order some new RJ11 plugs for the sensor cables, but they will be in tomorrow. Then I can start work on the other three I need. Second, I've started on the first scratchbuild of the layout... Standlee Forage.. Standlee Hay progress by Mark, on Flickr Standlee progress by Mark, on Flickr Still to go: A foundation, doors, paint, details, etc. Here is the prototype: Standlee Hay by Mark, on Flickr Standlee Hay by Mark, on Flickr It's nice to be making progress again, however slow...