Conrail Windsor St Yard (York PA) Engineering Report

[Ed Kapuscinski]

No worries now. I'm planning on doing as suggested and just relaying the nearby track.

Also, I'm working on a plan for a backdrop. I think I'm going to build a frame out of 1x4 verticals and a 1x2 stringer and hang the vinyl sheeting I've used for the other layout on it. Then, for lighting (because I don't want to mess with the room too much), I'm going to be attaching a number of these mofos to the backdrop frame and using them for lighting.

I already got two and they seem to work really well, especially because they're positionable, and this is a working layout afterall.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20370383/

[wm3798]

Not a bad plan.  Run them on CFLs and you've got a "cool" lighting system.

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I mocked it up tonight. I'm using the $.50 bulbs I got with the lights. They don't throw quite enough light, but damn were they cheap (I figured you'd be proud).



Pardon the backdrop's droopiness. It's really just ghetto-rigged in there at the moment. I wanted to mock it up before committing to this approach. I like it so far though.





My plan right now is to get at least two more of them and spread them out equally.

They don't do too bad right now though.

Here the MMID transfer job has shown up as the local to the Stewartstown is getting ready to leave.



CR and Chessie power laying over in the pit





And the new Trainworx PD3000 cars. They really are pretty.

[Chris333]

I was expecting more Christmas tree light jokes here. 

[Dave V]

That last pic is pure filth... 

[wazzou]

Ed, I really think you should more seriously consider Masonite or possibly Styrene, at the minimum. 
I have never, ever, seen anyone get that vinyl stuff to be flat enough w/o waves and sags so as not to piss you off.

[Rich_S]

Ed, I agree with Brian, sheet Styrene or Masonite is the way to go. If you're trying to eliminate seams, then may I suggest gluing the vinyl to a Masonite backboard. 

P.S. Don't listen to Dave, the Flexi-Flow CR patch looks great 

[Dave V]

I meant "filth" in the pornographic sense....  !

[mcjaco]

Really awesome to see this part of Lee's layout back up and "running."  And it fits perfectly. 

And Vollmer's "filth" comment almost made me spit my coffee out at my desk.   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Lol, I know exactly how he meant it. And I agree. Those cars really make that scene.

I've had the opposite experience with the vinyl on the other layout, it's actually been great at dealing with imperfections, as long as it's properly supported along the top edge.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I was inspired tonight... between reading Dave's article in GMR (I can think of no current layout that deserves a place there more), and my wife's taunting after reading said article ("Why aren't your layouts finished like Dave's?"), and Tom's piling on (seriously, friends like these...lol), I got my butt in gear and got the yard "working".

There's still much to do, but I classified two different trains tonight without any cheating.















And finally, the MMID cut being set into the departure tracks for the SD24s to pickup and take back to (future) staging.




And the cars I have ready for my visitors on Monday to work through.


The yard power hanging out on the lead.


I've got to say, I am thoroughly impressed with how well the entire thing works with just the minimal restoration work. All of the switches, all the electrical, everything. It really was an almost turn-key layout.

Now I need to finish up the other bits so that a bunch of  can come wreck it on me!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh, and I forgot. Tonights ops session was made possible by a bottle of ACC and this track replacement:


And maybe a little Brewers Art Resurrection.

[John]

I'm so glad to see this come back to life ..

Before long, we will have 4 layouts in the area to operate on ..

[MichaelWinicki]

Looking good Ed!

[seusscaboose]

I'm so glad to see this come back to life ..

Before long, we will have 4 layouts in the area to operate on ..

4?
You, me, Ed, ???


Who am I missing?