That loop looks like a great place for some action photography. By chance did you get any views of your tests today? Boxcab E50
A few photos of complete layout, from this AM. East end West end Upper half. Flag stop on right. Back yard connection to left. Next step is to remove everything and start clamping rails together. Sandstone is a patio. Bench is gonna be replaced with something better. Black roadbed is gonna be removed. Just used for sizing the patio.
Got track clamped together today. Added a short siding as well. Leveled out track, and discovered that I had a section that was close to 5" low! So, I now have a nice section of curve on a 5" fill! A nice place for photos. And of course, I HAD to run a train again! However, no photos, as it was way to dark to see. Will try again Tuesday, after I get up. Some grade work still to do. But, it's getting there, and looking pretty darn good. I think!
Track clamped together. Weather held up for most of the day, so I pulled some stuff out and did some more test running. This time, using a pair of GP40's and my Bachmann K-27. GP40's and 5 cars, passing newly added siding. Bachmann K-27, going solo. West end. Passing new siding, and passing over drainage pipes. K-27 video later.
Spent about 45 minutes, to almost an hour doing track work. Got about 6 feet of additional track ballasted. Before it started getting a bit too warm to work. As promised, a quick video of the K making a test run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtb5oTTsiFo Not the greatest, as I was trying to run the locomotive and attempting to video the train!
Did a bit more track ballasting this morning. Will be uploading photos shortly. Not quite 2/3 done ballasting all existing track! Newly ballasted section Southern side of layout. North side, showing drainage "ditch", from roof. And most of layout. Some track work and fill dirt necessary. Major leveling required. You can see the amount of fill required by switch on far east end. Think I still have enough dirt left to fill in low spot. Shouldn't be too long before work is done and trains are running!
Expansion Keith, Looks great!! Loved the video, too.... Wish I could figure out how to post pics like you do.....ie, so they show up in the thread with captions. Mine always come across the bottom..and I cant seem to figure out the caption thing. Oh well. Keep the updates coming!!! Darryl
Keith, how does the K-27 track across facing point Aristo WR switches? I'm looking into upgrading to those for my driveway loop, but I'm concerned that the engine will try to split the switch again (as it does for my vintage LGB R3s). Nice job with the layout--it fits in well with the surroundings and looks really, really nice.
Mine handles things with no problems. No splitting of point etc..... Although, I have yet to run the K in the opposite direction. Which I'll probably try next time I'm ready to do a test run to check track. Also gotta thing about getting the big MAC out and doing a test run! ANY track problems will show up with it, since it's such a large beast!
Did a little bit more track ballasting this AM, before heading down to a friends place for the day. Have a few blocks to set now, and I can finish ballasting. If I can get a decent start tomorrow, I might be able to get everything complete. May also try running a train, IF I can get things done. A couple of days for sure though. Should definitely be done by end of summer!
Managed to get most or my remaining track ballasted. Before running out of granite! Figure 2 wheel barow loads should be enough to finish, and have a bit extra left over, for use as needed. Hope to get out and set up for another test run later today, after it cools down a bit more. A few photos of events later, maybe.
Before the rain came, it's amazing what happens!! Had the K, with passenger train set up and running. In short order, I had 3-4 neighbors over, and about as many kids!! Just watching the train run. And telling me how good it looks so far. Or, in one case, asking about current project, and if I planned on connecting to what I already have built in the backyard. One neighbor knew, before seeing track, what I was doing out front! Mom was gonna take some photos, but started talking with neighbors, so never took photos. Might set up and run in the AM, after work. Will have to see how I feel. Was interesting though, in that I had a small crowd watching as I ran. And everyone really enjoyed it!
Onlookers Keith, It looks great, and Im not suprised that you have onlookers!!! As soon as I put a train out......the 3yr old boy comes out from next door to watch!!! I mean....its like bees to honey! Those kids could be in all day long......but just take the trains out, and "BAM" there they are!!! lol At least they are relativly well behaved.........and the adults, too. Enjoy the spotlight......you've worked hard for it! D
Wait... you have neighbor kids who don't waste their time on a wii?! I think we just found the answer to the Nintendo Wii and it isn't Microsoft.... G-Scale!!!
Kids LOL...........this one is too young to play with Wii........just give him time and he will not come out to watch the trains!!!!! D