Layout Progress - 31 December 2013

Ok this is the last post for 2013 and a look back

I like to thanks all who have been following and commenting. I know 2013 did not have much progress due to health issues but hopefully 2014 will be better.

The last few days I have been working on electrical issues mainly tortoises that were not working. Install a 120 vac accessory circuit around the layout for 12vdc wall warts, now all electrical can be shut-off or turn-on at one location entering or leaving the layout room.

New control panel is build and just needs sanding and sealing (hopefully today), then it can be mounted and controls installed.

Happy New Year to all.

Layout Progress - 27 December 2013

This may be my last post (we will see) for 2013.

Last couple of weeks I finished up Bells track wiring.

Today, I start a new control panel for Bell as I did not have another one left over from my past layout.

First photo all components cut

Second photo test assembly

I am going to try and finish the assembly tomorrow before I leave for a steam train ride over at Fort Worth, TX with a buddy. Tickets were a Christmas present from my daughter.

 

Layout Progress - 15 December 2013

Not a lot of work for the last couple of weeks. Today I finish installing track, turnouts, magnet uncouplers and tortoise for town of Bell.

Next up installing power feeders

Layout Progress - 01 December 2013

I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving, we did.

First up, I got some time to work on the layout. Since town of Bell has been on my mind and I did get a ideal of what I wanted the area to look like track wise, so I got started on that this last week.

I had previously installed two turnouts in the siding track awhile back. I added a another turnout just off the eastern most turnout on the siding. This turnout will feed two to four industries on the western side of the town crossing over the track from the existing west siding turnout.

Here are the photos of were I am today

 

 The two crossing in the last photo are a Peco 25 degree code 80 crossing (in the foreground) and a Atlas 60 degree code 80 crossing. I wish Peco would come out with more crossing choices for their code 55 line.

More to come.

  

Layout Progress - 23 November 2013

Today was the first time back at work on the layout since February. While lay up recovering from the hand surgeries, I have been trying to decide on the track arrangement at Bell.

Bell is a actual town on the division but was only a station stop. I will be adding industries at this location that did not exist in the prototype for operation purposes as passenger service is not in my operating scheme for this layout.

I just started playing with some track, switches and crossing an came up with a plan/ideal that I like.

No photo right now, more to come....

Status - Update

I know it has been awhile since my last post, but life gets in the way sometime.

My carpal tunnel rear it's ugly head again after 10 years and I am recovering from the first surgery to my right hand and then the left one. My elbows have pinch nerves too. On top of all that, I had a little scare with my heart, but all well now at least that what the doctors are saying....got two more specialist to see too.

I hope to get back to the layout sooner than later.....Bye for now.

Video Tour of Layout

My first video tour of the layout

Layout Progress - 18 February 2013

It been a month since my last post, but family and I have all been sick. I did manage to get little modeling in, but modeling went sick does come at a price. I had to totally disassemble this model and start over, so here is a photo of where I am with it today

more to come

Bonham - Roundhouse - Part 10

Today, I received my Shapeways parts. I drew up a vent in Autocad and sent it to Shapeways to have some 3D printed. Here are a few photos

More to come....

Layout Progress - 13 January 2013

Last couple of days have been working on finishing up the wiring for the Honey Grove panel, just need to decide on names for industries and print them out.

Layout Progress - 13 January 2013

Today I started on the Honey Grove control panel, so I thought I try to show some step by step progress on how I make my control panels. Note: there are many way to make control panel this is just how I do it.

First up couple of prep photos from the other day

Existing control panel for old layout with front removed

Install a punch down block for switch machine control cable terminations under layout

Let start with a blank piece of .100 inch white styrene, sized for the control panel.

Drill mounting holes and trial fit to assure proper fit.

Attached art work (created in AutoCAD) to the styrene with a glue stick and transfer the hole centers with a punch.
 

After the hole centers are transfer, I draw guidelines using the center points for help when I get to the pinstripe tape step.

Drill all the holes for LED and switch machine control.

Add pinstripe tape (3M 1/16" width), Red for mainline, Blue for sidings.

Front panel mounted back, ready to electronics.

Front panel with LED and switch controls mounted.

I got started with some of the wiring today, more to come.....

Layout Progress - 09 January 2013

While I am waiting on the final pieces for the roundhouse. I have been working wiring again since the last post.

First up was completing all wiring at Clarksville for mainline turnouts and sidings, also wired the staging turnout frogs.

Second, I prep for starting wiring and panel build for Honey Grove

Third, I started fixing the gremlins I had in the Bonham Yard panel. Started the demo part tonight, removing the problem circuit boards.

More to come....

Bonham - Roundhouse - Part 9

Lights have been installed in the roundhouse. I am waiting delivery of the firewater barrels and vent stacks before I can finish this project.