The New Northern Central

[C855B]

That panorama is awesome, Ed.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That panorama is awesome, Ed.

Thanks. It's the culmination of 25 years of Photoshopping *****.

[wm3798]

Okay.  So.  Now that you have a pretty picture to back it all up, it's time to lay your damn track.

I know, I know.  You have a lot of theories about track planning, and you want to explore all of the operational possibilities.

But when I tried to move two cars 6 feet and back them into a stub siding, the pilot hit no fewer than three uneven track joints, the electrical continuity was spotty at best, and the switch controls only worked marginally.  All because the trackwork is just laying there unsecured.

Glue down the track.  It's good.  Secure all those track joints.  Make sure your rail heads are aligned.  Solder on all those drops.

Use the @davefoxx method of yellow carpenter glue or white glue.  If you come up with a better idea that will make traffic move more smoothly, soak it with water and move it.  But give your trains a chance to run.  Install the track securely and accurately.  It's really the primary thing you can do to make N scale run reliably (and enjoyably).  Especially on Atlas c55.

Keep in mind that when I stop by your house, I'm rarely going to have more than a half an hour.  It stops being fun if I can't get a short local to even clear the yard throat. 

There it is.  I've called you out!

By the way, I'm hoping to letter a couple of salt cars this weekend...

Lee

[pjm20]

 

There it is.  I've called you out!

Lee

Careful now, the man has your goods! 

[C855B]

There it is.  I've called you out!

Harsh! 

[Point353]

But when I tried to move two cars 6 feet and back them into a stub siding, the pilot hit no fewer than three uneven track joints, the electrical continuity was spotty at best, and the switch controls only worked marginally. 

Keep in mind that when I stop by your house, I'm rarely going to have more than a half an hour.  It stops being fun if I can't get a short local to even clear the yard throat. 

In what sort of condition was the prototype track in the location and era that Ed K is trying to recreate?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

**** you Lee.





For being right.

I was wondering what I was doing do with layout time tonight but I think you just answered the question.

[chicken45]

**** you Lee.





For being right.

I was wondering what I was doing do with layout time tonight but I think you just answered the question.

Sounds like it involves some glue and a lotta salt. 

Count me out. 
I’m not watching THAT on the stream tonight. 

[mu26aeh]

Keep in mind that when I stop by your house, I'm rarely going to have more than a half an hour.  It stops being fun if I can't get a short local to even clear the yard throat. 

Lee

If you stop by my place, you can bring a train into yard, break it down, build another and take back out 🤣

[wm3798]

If you stop by my place, you can bring a train into yard, break it down, build another and take back out 🤣

Does your water truck have a lift gate?  Will anyone notice if you plot a route from Gettysburg to Easton to Berkeley Springs... several times?

I'm very much looking forward to running a train out of that yard.  But please forgive me when I call those the "caboose tracks!"

Lee

[mu26aeh]

Given how we run routes,  I doubt any eyebrows get raised

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok ok. At Lees prodding I'm buttoning up the area that he was messing with yesterday.

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Here's some proof it's not a total mess. The stutters were over frogs that have yet to be powered. I guess I should finally do those now.

Amusingly, I just got some video of Yorkrail almost at the same spot a few weeks ago.

[dem34]

I'm assuming that diverging track is next on the menu?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm assuming that diverging track is next on the menu?

Yep. Although, and this really surprises me. Despite it looking incredibly "Penn Central" I actually find it very reliable.

[dem34]

Yep. Although, and this really surprises me. Despite it looking incredibly "Penn Central" I actually find it very reliable.

Well as long as gauge is consistent and joints are close enough, you can get away with a lot. Video unrelated.