Mackinac Northern - a Z scale T-Trak layout

[keeper]

Some small changes...



Thomas

Edit: Ooops I uploaded the wrong image in the first place.... duh

[keeper]

A module a day...


This is a triple module.

Thomas

[keeper]

So, today I built the last module.
Now the fun begins....

Thomas 

[keeper]

Here is a little update.





This is the first module ready with track and wired.

Thomas 

[keeper]

Today was a bit like Christmas. My new control for this layout arrived.....



Thomas

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Awesome!

Ooh, I never even know about the UP6Z!

[keeper]

Ooh, I never even know about the UP6Z!

Me neither.
There are surely other ways to reduce the voltage for Z scale, but I thought why not going the easy way.

Thomas 

[keeper]

The second endcap (the left one) is ready as well. Nothing more to see, just like the first endcap.
Next up is the main straight module. 'Main' because this is the one with the wires for the power from the control.






The first test fit...  It works...

Thomas 

[keeper]

I made another change to the trackplan in the upper left corner.
What do you think?



Thomas 

[keeper]

Next up is the first quad module.
This is where the depot will be placed.




It is also the end of the bus wire.

Thomas 

[keeper]

Oh, by the way, I haven't got a name for the layout so far. As I mentioned at the beginning, the tracks on the layout south are based on Newberry, MI but the rest is as it is.
Originally it was DSS&A land. I have so far CNW and MILW power....
So I'm open for suggestions.

 

[keeper]

I changed the plan again and now I'm happy with that upper left corner.
The previous plan was too 'straight'. I think it is not what the trackage looks like in the UP.



Thomas 

[keeper]

Does someone of you know where I might find a detailed station trackplan of Newberry?

The tracks you can see on Google maps or Open Railway Map is more or less what's existing today.
I found an image from 2002 (WC days) and it already looks like today.
Another image from 1978 (SOO Line) is a different story. Way more tracks!

Thomas 

[milw12]

Sanborn Fire Insurance maps can help get a general idea of an area, but there are two things to be aware of: trackage isn't always exact, and they tend to be very old.

This link will take you to a list that seems to cover Newberry from 1893 to 1917:

https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/?fa=location:michigan%7Clocation:luce+county

1917 should be the most useful:

https://www.loc.gov/item/sanborn04128_004/

Pages 3-5 especially:

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4114nm.g041281917/?sp=3
https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4114nm.g041281917/?sp=4
https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4114nm.g041281917/?sp=5

Hope this helps, and I am enjoying the progress!

Lucas

[keeper]

This helps a lot, Lucas. Thank you.

I thought there was going on much more than what you can see today, but not that much more.
Very interesting.

Maybe I have to re-think my trackage one more time....

Thomas