Cisco Bridges: a new layout concept

[eric220]

That would probably be a good idea. You could also create the holes and pull the wires through them so that they're already there. Signals generally only have a couple of inches of wire connected to them, so you're probably going to have to extend them anyway.

[Scottl]

Still plugging away with this and I am getting close to running trains.  I built a duck under bridge and I think it will be functional as a semi-permanent fixture, with the option to remove it occasion.  It is oversized but very robust, with 2" walls to keep trains safe on the trip across.

Track is being connected to complete the mainline and feeders are soldered on in about 75% of the places I need them.  I will bypass the main turnout coming into the yard throat for now until I get time to finish the Proto87 #8- at least I have the parts now to finish the points and a plan of action courtesy of discussion and advice on the previous pages.

A few photos- I really need to paint the white foam to get the exposures better, but this will do for now.  Maybe, with some luck, I'll run a train or two this week.  I'll be sure to video it. 

Here is the duck under bridge installed and a view of the other side of the layout.


The peninsula end of the duck under.  The track is not installed yet and the mount is a bit chunky, so I will try to make it a little less obvious as I finish it.


The other side of the layout from a different angle, showing the approach to the bridge on the west bank, as well as some of the challenges to make the largest river on the west coast to delicately disappear into the background...


Still struggling with the backdrop dimensions.  The backdrop here is 30" above the river bed.  These extreme angles may just need to be photoshopped.   A temporary backdrop will work in some cases and I will make one up.


Thanks for following.

[GaryHinshaw]

I love this angle - the track on the far side disappears very convincingly (discounting the view of the yard).  It's so awesome to see this coming together!

...some of the challenges to make the largest river on the west coast to delicately disappear into the background...

  Are you discounting the Columbia?  If you weren't a geography professor, I might let this slide.

[unittrain]

Wow that bridge with the sky back drop is very convincing  Keep it up this is outstanding work. We need more of this on TRW like the old days, and that goes for me too I need to start contributing just the pictures are a problem for me yet.

[Scottl]

Ha ha, the Columbia may be double the discharge, but it is not a river any more, just a series of lakes. 

I'm definitely experimenting with photo angles to figure out what I can do with the space.  I think making up a generic moveable backdrop will help a lot. 

[GaryHinshaw]

...but it is not a river any more, just a series of lakes. 

Touché.

[Scottl]

OK, the mainline is complete!  I'm not 100% happy with the track at the cuts for the duck under, but it is reliable and I have a solution for when I can get some copper circuit board later this week. 



For the first time, the bridge is fully connected!





The yard is cleared and the track all vacuumed and rails cleaned.  A few Atlas turnouts have points that seized and snapped, so they will get replaced as I gain confidence with handmade.  I have identified some places where I wlll add stub tracks to increase storage a bit, but the yard is mostly intended to be used for staging mainline freights.



I've connected about 1/3 of the feeders and there is voltage to everywhere on the main, so I just need to let the caulking set and clean the track. 

Very exciting to be on the brink of running trains again.  It has been almost two years for this layout.  The last time I actually ran a train was in Vancouver on TBC and the C&W!

Sorry for the murky focus on the photos... Thanks for following.

[Baronjutter]

Very exciting stuff!  Track work looks nice, but yeah that joint for the duck under is a little janky.  But if the trains run over it without complaining too much it's all good.

[Scottl]

Yes, that joint is strange, kind of crazy looking.  I'll replace both ends with a length of circuit board so I get a better solder connection.  But I have had no problem getting alignment each time I install it.

[Scottl]

The inaugural runs over the new mainline.  That Atlas locomotive revved right up after two years on the shelf. 

I'll be darned if I can figure out how to turn off the lights in the caboose.  I waved the magnetic wand every which way but loose.

[James Costello]

Looking great Scott, just like the real thing!

[mark dance]

CONGRATULATIONS!  (oh, and nice choice of music...very appropriate)

seriously...you should take a lot of pride in your work Scott (he writes bowing appropriately )

md

[Scottl]

You are too kind.  The movie is a bit rough- my first try with iMovie. 

I rejigged the track a bit at the duckunder.  I replaced the stainless screws that secured the rail in alignment with brass screws.  it is very solid now.

[Scottl]

The week was spent fine tuning the track.  Strangely, the duckunder and gaps are problem-free, while Atlas turnouts in the yard seem all need some attention.  Many  had sharp edges where the points contact that caused derailments and needed filing.  Others had points that were not quite vertically lined up, so some shimming with 0.020" styrene strips was in order.  Nothing too serious, and now I know that a long intermodal train is the way to find track faults.

A few photos of what I hope will be a typical train:  CN 101 Toronto to Roberts Bank (Vancouver) intermodal westbound.  Railings and other details on the bridge remain safely stowed away until the scenery is done.  Too easy to bump and bend the etchings.





Thanks for following.

[davefoxx]

Even unfinished, this is very hawt.   

DFF