The Connector

Bruce dropped by last night and we had a very productive time. I had laid out switches from the old layout and some pieces of flextrack to gives us an idea of the track flow and especially density in the Irwin Yard. Bruce had drawn that section of the benchwork 18" deep and I decided to build it 20" for a little breathing room ... and we can use it!

Connector in place except for the lift out

Once of the things we decided was that the connector benchwork really needed to be completed so we can plan the curved transitions from left and right as well as the placement of the cross over on the lift out section to maximize the tails on either side allowing some operation if the lift out is removed. After Bruce left, I pulled out the compound mitre saw and got to work. Not too bad!

Visit

Dad and my niece MaryAnn stand next to the layout.

Dad's Coming To Town

My father and my sister are coming to visit today, along with Cathy's kids. This is the first time my Dad will see the house since we bought it last year and I spent a very, very productive day in the train room wrapping up the benchwork so I could show off the train room.

What a sight!

I glued the last piece of insulation to the benchwork and I decided to temporarily put up the front fascia to make it look a little more finished. Again, I reused pieces from the last layout so there are holes cut where a Digitrax plug connector would be placed and since I have not even considered how the wiring will be completed, the holes are completely random.

Eventually, an 8" wide, double track connector will span the gap at this end of the layout

I did a thorough cleaning of the room, moving all the remaining scraps under the benchwork. There is still a lot of leftovers that I will eventually discard once I am sure I have no need for the item. As I straightened up, I began to think once I have the layout pretty far along, I can remove one of the larger storage drawers, the tub of DCC wires and controls will be on the layout and the racks and stacks of the rolling stock kits will be as well.
Can't wait.

A "duh" moment

Yesterday I installed the second 8 foot section of insulation across the back of the layout. This piece covers part of the peninsula and part of the final section along the left hand wall. I had just barely enough Liquid Nails adhesive to finish the peninsula. Just...barely. I left it to dry overnight.
This morning I went down and checked everything over. Looking pretty good. I just need to run to Lowe's and get one more tube of Liquid Nails ... then I looked up to the shelf that runs around the layout where some paints, ballast and ground cover are stored. Not one, not two but THREE tubes of Liquid Nails.
Duh.

Solved!

The peninsula was really bothering me. How could it be flat on the ground and cantiwamus when I put it up? I burned a few brain cells, as well as a 6 pack and I realized that maybe if I did not set it on the support running around the walls, I could compensate for the tilt. An hour later, and some help from my twin boys, and I had the darn thing mount and nearly perfect!

Peninsula finally level

I had picked up some insulation for the subroadbed today...which is now green instead of the pink I used a couple of years ago. Actually that is better because the pink was annoying on the old layout since I never did finish the scenery. I still have two pieces of plywood to cut, and two others to glue down before I can attach the subroadbed but this is fantastic. Bruce and I might be able to transfer the trackplan during the holiday break from work!

Added the corner trim to show how it will look finished

Yes!....er, No

Laid the peninsula on the ground and it was pretty flat so I glued and screwed the top while kneeling on it hoping the extra weight (and yeah, there's some extra weight!) would keep it flat and square. Next I trimmed the piece to fit between the left and right corner pieces and under the electrical outlet and with Adam's help put it in place.

Mostly level

If you zoom in you'll notice that the front and rear levels are darn near perfect. You'll have to trust me that its level from front to back, and it is. But...wait...what are those gaps of light under the orange level. DARN! This will take some thinking.

Framing with a twist

Tackled that remaining wall today. This section would be 8' 4" from the corner but since there is already a 24" wide module, I only needed to build a 6' 4" by 20" wide section. As I've mentioned, the disadvantage in this room is using it as a workshop AND building the railroad in the same place. Means I have to move everything several times but as I use up my surplus supplies, there is less under (over and on) the layout that has to be moved.

Irwin Yard to the left, Herminie Mine on the peninsula

 The section along the wall went very smoothly. The peninsula ... well, that's another story. If you look carefully at the photo you see the end seems to twist from the upper left to the lower right. Well, it does. I tried to keep the module exactly square as I built it but something went wrong. Big time. According to the level it's within tolerance ... barely. I am not so sure. Will see if I can get Bruce to come over and offer his opinion. At least I cleared out enough space he can come into the train room!