Ah, Alan, you put a smile on this Alcophile's face with those pics of AW RS1 1000 leading the first freight. Can't wait to see this area when it's done- please keep us posted. (FWIW, I'm more of a shortline fan that I am a Class 1 person- and yes, I model Frisco. However, I have some Kiamichi, Texas North Western & Kyle RR diesels in my stable. Something about the charm of a shortline.........)
Alan,excellent progress my friend.At least one of us is making some though I hope to make much more in the next few weeks
Alan, Excellent progress I like the idea of being able to turn the boards for better access. how many boards in all will the layout consist of?
A total of six boards Paul. I will take some pics showing the underside of a board when I have fitted the switch machines and wiring. (Very easy to do when you can turn them over) Now things are taking shape I hope to keep up the momentum and get something done most days
Bob, the RS1 was my first AW Alco, and was chosen as the first locomotive to turn a wheel on the new layout
The wiring of the first four boards is now done, made easier by being able to detach individual boards and work under them without getting in uncomfortable positions The end board The same board on edge, with wiring complete, including switch machines fitted Close up of a switch machine
Lookin' good Alan. Now once done, do you think you will have to go "under" very often? My wiring gathers cobwebs now that it is done
Ken, the D plug/socket is to carry all wiring across the baseboard joins, including the rails, so I do not rely on rail joiners to carry current, only to align rail ends.
Nope! Hopefully I will never have to do anything under the boards, but should problems occur, I will just detach the board and stand it on edge to get at the wiring or switch machines. (So much easier on the back) Another advantage is that I can take each board outside to spray the rails and track, then I do not have to hold my breath
Hi Alan, Your Trakplan look's good!!! ยจ But I think it's a lot of work!?!?!? I was also thinking about to built an intermodal terminal. No room!!!!
I have now finished tracklaying on the "city" end of the layout. Here are some initial shots, with some indications of positions of some of the structures and roads. Starting from the crossing again, but going in the other direction
Looking down the boards. The left most spur will go into an industry building, the next is the cement plant. Next across is a track which will serve a loading bay on another industry, then comes the freightcar repair facility with two tracks. These are off a run-round loop for incoming trains. The track continues to the end of the board (the through main line, if it is ever extended), then comes back into storage and switching sidings, which is also the access to the industry across the crossing.
Looking back the other way, also shown is a track which will serve two industries. The far end, where the roads positions are marked out. Here will be the Denny's Diner, a hotel, filling station, etc. to represent the edge of town. Still lots to do, but I am slowly making progress [ 26. May 2003, 09:20: Message edited by: Alan ]
That looks like will be a great layout when finished. I wish I could do something like that but I won't have room in our new house to do it. Anyways, great job! Matt
Looks great Alan, a really interesting industrial area. Remember some time ago I asked for advice on how to make roads. Well, here is what my road looks like It's still not perfect, but I decided to just continue instead of spending too much time trying to make the road look perfect. I used Spackling Compound on top of cardboard, painted it "SP Letter Grey", and the white and yellow stripes are made of electrical tape cut in to thin stripes. I didn't realize that the white line is so uneven until I took the picture, it looks perfectly straight when you see it in person. Again, great to see your progress. Jesper
