Today i completed the yard connection to the mainline. actually other than the new grain silo and paper mill all the track work is completed. 85% of wiring is also completed. This afternoon I started running trains around the layout and it was satisfying to sit back and watch. The mainline is so much longer and the trains don't double around like they used too. I hope to have some pics online early next week
Here is a picture of my wife Lynn nailing the last spike into the mainline as part of the Official Opening Ceremony
But she is not looking at what she is hammering Well done Paul, you have got the railroad running again in good time
Scot, The answer to your question is yes. I have made a removable section of masonite to cover the window. I will usually leave it out but i'll install it on operating nights etc
Rob, As soon as I have completed the additional wiring you are most welcome to come out. Gary is coming out this morning to have a look, if you are close to him give him a call and come along hehehe
Actually I am right next to him - but I'm going to Gosford to look at a motorbike. I'll come out next time Edit - Scratch that - looks like rain - I'll go bike shopping on monday as I have the day off. I called Gary already. See ya later [ 27 April 2001: Message edited by: yankinoz ]
On Saturday Gary (GATS) Yankinoz (Rob) came over for a run of the layout and took some pictures. Here are some pics taken by Gary of the layout. The last pic is of the three of us. Maybe Rob and Gary might post some comments about how they perceive the new layout extensions Rob, Paul and Gary ok dont we look so excited [ 30 April 2001: Message edited by: Colonel ]
Paul, you have certainly put in a lot of work on your extension (bigger than some peoples' layouts!) Gary's pictures give a good idea of the complexity of the extension, and I see you are even making use of the window area! The three of you look as though you are waiting for a disastrous derailment
If you make the window a valley, with two hils on either side, you could make the outside world into a valley. Then, that might be a bad idea, end up terraforming the outside scenery!, end up wanting to have the valley!
Thanks for the comments guys. The scenery will be interesting, the rock work will continue at the top end of the layout with stone retaining walls along the layout. The end section at the return loop will consist of an industrial area with a roadway over the top. Daryl, further to the left is Rob (Yankinoz) Centre is myself and to the right is Gary (Gats)
It's not a very good picture of any of us is it? You're right Alan - it is a complex extension but the payoff is a VERY long mainline run. I didn't time it but it must be close to 5 minutes to make full lap at a nice slow pace. Watching the slack action of a 30+ car grain train snake around the layout I had to keep saying to myself "I will not change scales. I will not change scales. I will not change scales." We were looking at putting a crossover in the double track section between the upper yard and the window. This will give some more flexibility allowing a passing siding that does not interfere with local operations (from the window to the grain term) and eventually alow two way opperation of the main Paul - one thing that occurred to me about the lower yard - if you are going to be cutting engines off there and pulling them back into an engine facility you might want to put magnetic uncouplers (does N scale have the electo-magnet ones that you can hide and turn on and off?) under the bridge as it will be difficult to get at them with the BBQ stick. There's a little electrical gremlin in the return loop, but I think we have it isolated (have you fixed it yet Paul?) but other than that it's running smooth. I think you could park a car on the benchwork too - it's very solid. All and all a great extention - Paul is already looking at the other side of the room! BTW - Gary and I went to look at that motorbike on Monday. It was in better shape than I expected, and the dealer offered more for my old bike than I expected, so I bought it. The ride back to Sydney in the pouring rain was a drag - but the bike sure is sweet I'm a little sore tho - not used to these extreem riding positions anymore. (1989 RGV250 for those interested)
How about this: That wall support becoming a huge skyscraper; or like Devils Tower in Wyoming (Whole Close Encounters thing there). Hmmmm.... for some reason that shape seems familiar, like I've been there before. NO! Just saw the movie to many times. But everybodies right AWESOME work. What'cha doing next month. Ya'll fill like swinging the states for a mission. Can get lots a munchies and drinks.
Thanks Ken for your comments, I was contemplating removing the wall support but then thought the family wouldn't be impressed if the house collapsed . My next job is to wire the new local control panel for the yard and new crossovers (suggested by Yankinoz and Gats) once this is completed some memory throttles. I am starting to get ideas on scenery but will do some train running just to ensure all is ok
Tomorrow I am wiring the reversing loop, I'll let you know how it all goes once I have finished, keep your fingers crossed that my idea works
