Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

This afternoon, I installed the slide switch ground throws, which was easy, since I have a bunch of prebuilt throws left over from taking down the expansion.  I also powered the frogs through Hex Frog Juicers.  Finally, the new track got a coat of Rustoleum Dark Gray primer, which is my replacement paint color for Grimy Black.  Not a bad weekend's progress.



Now, if you look really close at left, leaning against the wall is the old return loop track I had for the Southern Ry. interchange.  I had a brainstorm today of building a temporary rig to allow this loop to be connected to the A&R at the top of the hill for a true out-and-back operation.  I want to figure out a solid mount that is a quick disconnect (i.e., not complicated like my folding staging yard), because I don't necessarily want to leave it in place all of the time.  It will block an aisle around the layout.  Still thinking about it.

DFF

[jmarley76]

Impressive, most impressive. 

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Jeff!

[Bendtracker1]

Nice clean progress Dave!

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Allen!

[Bendtracker1]

Now that I have the Kitchen remodel done, I have a long list of things to do on the layout, of which mainly involves track re-alignment in several areas.
Wanna come help?
Could make use of your expertise! 

[davefoxx]

Now that I have the Kitchen remodel done, I have a long list of things to do on the layout, of which mainly involves track re-alignment in several areas.
Wanna come help?
Could make use of your expertise! 

I would love to help.  I wish I had the time off from work to visit.   

DFF

[mstl 246]

Nice documentation of the project Dave, interesting to see how things went from identifying the problem to the improved working solution.

Nat

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Nat!

[Missaberoad]

Very nice! I think you understate your skills.

With how well the work is presented and the neatness of the final product, I think documenting this process would make a good article. "Changing trackwork in a finished scene" or something along those lines.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I dig it.

Being willing to undo something "done" to improve it is a great thing.

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Ryan and Ed!  I appreciate everyone's comments.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Alright, you've all seen my folding two-track staging yard that can be stowed underneath the HCD, saving much space in the layout room when not in use.  Now, I present the rolling reverse loop/staging shelf:



As you can see, I used casters (obviously necessary for a rolling shelf) with jam nuts to tweak the final height.  A piece of 3/4" birch plywood makes up the subroadbed with a few pieces of 1"x4" to allow the shelf to be clamped to the fascia of the HCD.  I nailed the elevation, as evidenced by the cork roadbed and turnout connected to the A&R mainline:



That's right, I'm going to build a reverse loop for out-and-back operation on the A&R.  Since I have a full 24" x 48" sheet of plywood to work with, I'll probably be able to add a few stub tracks inside the loop for staging.

Now, it wouldn't surprise me if some of you were questioning my motives, because it might seem that the layout is growing again, not long after I tore down the expansion.  The reality is that the folding staging yard and the rolling reverse loop/staging yard can be stowed leaving plenty of space in the layout room, but even when set up they take up less than 25% of floor area than did the former expansion.  A bonus is the storage space (three 36" x 14" shelves) on the rolling shelf for model railroading supplies.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Well, it was a productive weekend, the first that I was back working in the train room in about three months!  Here's where the rolling shelf project ended- cork roadbed is down:



Have a great week,
DFF

[Rich_S]

Dave, The layout updates look great. I really like the rolling reverse loop with stub ended staging on the A&R (two thumbs up)