Wow, it has been a long time since I posted here. Too little time, too many forums I guess. :headspin: My last post was way back in the track planning phase. A lot has happened since then. I am actually getting the layout built slowly but surely. If you want to follow along with the build then bookmark http://www.lkorailroad.com or better yet, subscribe while you are there and updates will automatically be sent to you. I have made it to the track laying point and most recently finalized my Tortoise control method. Made a quickie video to show what I came up with. Enjoy! [video=youtube;1v5H84xmlpM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v5H84xmlpM[/video]
... I'm thinking the video production was harder than actually building the tortoise. Gonna have to bookmark this, the club layout has a bunch of unloved Tortoise switches under the Pax terminal. Ideally, they were to control the switches handling loco escape. (Train pulls in, engine uncouples, slides out on adjacent track. terminal loco shoves the train in another car length) but that never happened, the people who installed them retired, we all got used to running around our trains at the throat of the PAX entrance and now the only ones who even know they're down there are the ones who've knocked themselves out on them trying to fish derailments out of the turnback loop underneath...) Glad to see you're making good progress! I think the last time I really dropped in on your blog was lights and not so sticky sticky tape and your Google post. Keep up the good work there!
Interesting to see all those clamps. They sure are nice to have available. And it is great they are inexpensive these days.
Completed 10 Mile Tunnel... or so that is what I am calling my hidden track that connects the north staging helix with the upper deck at Kitzmiller. Finished constructing the sub-roadbed this past week. The full story and many more pictures are here: http://www.lkorailroad.com/10-mile-tunnel/ The hanging end you see is where the north helix will connect once I get it built. In this first picture the track is under scenery. I took the foam out temporarily so you can see the track below. The track is making the final curve before entering the visible layout through a tunnel portal on the opposite side of the backdrop. In this second picture the hidden track will be inside cardboard web mountains. Finally in this picture the hidden track is below the benchwork and will be behind a drape. After I get track laid, hardboard short walls will be put in place on each side to prevent possible plunges to concrete.
Still corkin'. Ran out of cork roadbed so had to wait for more. Back at it now. http://www.lkorailroad.com/cork-roadbed-part-i/ http://www.lkorailroad.com/cork-roadbed-part-ii/
Cork and glue have been a big part of my life for a while now. Nearing the end of the roadbed installation. I may actually get to lay some track before winter is over! http://www.lkorailroad.com/cork-roadbed-part-iii/
I shouod hope so! With the winter we've been having in the Midwest, you'll be good by June! Sent from my LG-LS970 using Tapatalk
Finished installing the cork roadbed. 4 years (almost to the day) since I began it will finally start to look like a railroad. Sweet. The paper track plan's job is complete so it was laid to rest. Read the eulogy and see the cork installation here: http://www.lkorailroad.com/goodbye-to-a-dear-friend/
