I spent the weekend (and previous weekday evenings) building the 7 switches (Fast tracks #7) and assembling the double ladder I need for the 8 track staging yard I started last week. Very satisfying work. I assembled the whole arrangement on our dining room table. The weather here in Vancouver has been so nice the last few days that I didn't want to sequester myself in basement, so working upstairs allows fresh air, natural light, and access to music.
The whole staging yard is constructed on a 10" wide by 11' long section of 3/4 plywood that can be removed from the layout for track laying (one end and two of the tracks are under the deck above) and easy wiring installation. When the yard is complete it will be semi permanently installed in the layout, but removable for emergency repair or salvage when (if?) we decide to move again. I'm planning on doing this with other areas of complex track where possible.
Geoff