Summer Updates

Well since my last posting we had quite a bit of winter here, but now things are really nice as we roll into summer. I have not had a lot of time to get things done on the layout due to other projects, some traveling, and work.

After the Springfield show in January, I packed away the Free-mo modules as I would not need to get them out until the Fall. I had spent a bit of time getting them more detailed with structures and scenery, and it definitely took time away from the layout. I figured the modules were good for now, and I can do some minor work on them just before any shows upcoming next Fall and Winter.

I read on the MRH forums about Mike Confalone adding significant weight to his freight cars, well beyond the NMRA RP. He is in the 11 to 13 ounce range, whilst the NMRA recommends around 4.5 ounces for these size cars. I decided to try out some extra weighting on a few cars. I used leftover hardware I had on hand to bring some box cars up to 8 ounces. Not as much as Mike C. but definitely a big difference. In doing some switching I did find that the cars performed better and the couplers would engage easier with the cars offering more resistance. As of now I have not decided if I want to go even heavier. I have about a dozen cars completed and want to do some more test running. Here are a couple boxcars getting extra weight, with a couple heavier cars on the rear siding.

Do the L&N and B&M boxcars look heavier?

Mike C. discusses extra weight at length in his e-book available from MRH. Check out mrhmag.com for a link to the e-book.

I also took some time to install some DCC decoders I had picked up a while back. I have a few locos needing new Tsunami sound and I addressed a few of those, including a B&M GP7 and a CP RS10 with dual speakers.

Atlas B&M GP7 with Tsunami. Speaker at one end, capacitor at the other. 

On the layout itself, I finished up ballasting at Crawford Notch and most of the basic scenery. I still need to build and install more trees on the hill behind the tracks, but that will probably wait until the Fall before the open house season kicks back in. What I decided to focus on was the area of Johnson Vermont along the LVRC. This has been a pretty good storage space as it is right inside the door to the layout, a large flat surface that always accumulated stuff.

As displayed for the open house, this area usually has a lot more "stuff" on it!

This is downgrade from Morrisville with a curved turnout allowing access to a talc mill scene to be built. I have had trouble with this turnout and knew I wanted to replace it. I also knew there was no way I was laying track on the foam base installed here. I laid some track in Hardwick on a foam base and I have regretted it. For now it remains that way, but most likely when I rebuild the quarry scene in Hardwick I will put down proper sub roadbed. Others have seemed to do OK with a foam sub roadbed, but I find it noisy and not particularly strong when cleaning the track.

So I pulled out the existing track and turnout on the LVRC main, and also pulled out the foam sheet for Johnson. I built proper support risers for the scene, and cut down the fascia so the scene was not set below the fascia as it had been with the foam.

New Homa-bed on the LVRC main and plywood for the Johnson Talc Mill scene.

I played around a bit with track arrangements. At first I thought I would try to put a runaround into the scene. This would allow trains entering the scene to get around their cars and serve the sidings. The problem was I really did not have enough room for this, and really it wasn't too prototypical. Johnson had sidings, not an extended branch where a train would travel too. The solution is to have trains pass Johnson and head to Sheldon Jct., and on the return trip work Johnson as the trailing point industry that it is. This solved track work issues but also makes the operations more interesting, and more prototypical.

While I waited for a new turnout to arrive, I used my backdrop images from LARC to install a new mountain range behind the area. I also started work on VT Rt. 15 as a bridge over the tracks, to help hide the LVRC main heading into the wall, and as scenery behind the talc mill.

Next up will be getting more rough scenery in around the roadway and back to the wall, and installing a tree line behind the road to blend into the backdrop. I also will install the new turnout and lay the sub roadbed and track for the talc mill. I need to mock up the talc mill buildings, based on photos from Johnson in the 1970s.

So that, along with adding weight to some more cars, will keep me busy during the summer. Hopefully the scene will be nearer completion by the time the November open houses hit.

One other piece of info: The NJ Division of the NMRA will be hosting the Mid Eastern Regional convention in Mt. Laurel, NJ during October 22-25 of 2015. Yes, a year and a half away. What this means is my layout can be open for the layout tour, but also could host operating sessions. This means I need to keep building and also get the guys over for a test Op session to see how things go. I figure I need a couple of these sessions completed before having a group in to operate during the convention. Much of the operating session plan, train cards, car cards, waybills and infrastructure is in place, I just need to put the layout through the paces and see how things go. Then adjustments can be made. If no track exists in Lyndonville or North Stratford (the 2 remaining locations to build out) I can leave those trains off the schedule.

So that is what I have been up to and what I will focus on in the coming months and year. Thanks for reading!

Model Railroad Hobbyist and the Allagash model railroad

If you do not get the FREE online magazine Model Railroad Hobbyist, you really are missing out on a great resource. It is as simple as going to mrhmag.com and copying the magazine to your computer, iPad, Kindle, iPhone, whatever. Then enjoy it like any other model railroad magazine, just without the annual subscription fee. Be sure to create an account so you get e-mails when new issues are posted, around the first of every month. They also have a pretty good discussion forum if you are into that.

You get great content every month. I always find something useful. And with the January issue starts a series of articles about a layout I really have come to admire, the Allagash built by Mike Confalone up in New Hampshire. Mike previously was modeling Vermont, including the Lamoille Valley, so that hit my radar. The realistic photos and overall level of modeling was really compelling. About 5 years ago Mike switched gears and decided to proto-freelance along the lines of the Virginian and Ohio and Allegheny Midland, layouts that were huge influences on me when I was getting started in the hobby.

The January issue kicks off the series with a rail fan tour of the layout. In addition to the incredible pictures (that you really can zoom in on to see more detail), there is a cool story to go with it recollecting a rail fan trip in April of 1980 by two friends. The story line resonated with me as it was somewhat similar to a trip I took with my friend Glenn Salvatore back in April 1985. We chased trains of the Vermont and Green Mountain railroads in less than hospitable weather. But it was a great time, and it reminds me how much I still miss my model railroading mentor and friend.

Great layout, great photos, and FREE! Brrr...Looks cold!!

I so enjoy the Allagash and Mike Confalone's modeling that I also get the paid premium content that is made available. Previously Mike had two articles on modeling a paper mill and modeling a quarry. Videos were made available for each entitled Modeling Outside The Box, Volumes 1 and 2. I opted to download the HD video (as opposed to paying more for a DVD). The cool thing is I can watch the video techniques right on my iPhone or iPad right on the layout while I am modeling. So when it was announced that an Allagash Story e-book would be issued in 4 volumes, I jumped on that too.

The first volume was made available at the end of January and is a 62 page landscape book with over 100 photos (again that you can zoom in on - try looking at them full screen on a 30 inch monitor - awesome!). This volume covers the concept of the layout, and information about building it. Similar to the V&O Story published years ago, it covers reasons why certain things were chosen and overviews of methods used to construct things. It reads better than your usual layout story and again imparts a lot of good ideas you can use in your layout and model building.

The next 3 volumes will be released around end of each month, Feb, Mar and Apr. This is in addition to the next 5 FREE issues of MRH magazine. There is also going to be some video released as well, so I'll have plenty to keep me busy studying this great layout.

Volume 1 of the Allagash Story e-book

I should also mention there is a link at the end of the first rail fan tour article in the MRH magazine that leads to a video showing an Allagash RS3 switching on the layout. Really something you should check out and listen too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbuGSGmNWaw&feature=youtu.be

If you think the best way to consume model railroad magazines is printed versions, you may be surprised how much you enjoy looking at one on your laptop, iPad or whatever. You get a lot of content, pay nothing, and may find you like it even better! Certainly worth a try for FREE!

Springfield and NE Free-mo

So, without planning to do so, I ended up bringing my module up to the big annual Springfield Massachusetts train show. I have attended for a few years now, traveling up with my friend Anton. The New England Free-mo guys asked me to participate in their layout, and after consulting with Anton, the decision was made to join them. It was a great time.

The layout was very large. Two return loops at each end and dozens of modules making up the mainline. My module was situated off of a wye leading down a branch line to a staging yard. Here is a look at the track plan:

New England Free-mo Layout - Woodstown Jct. was located off the wye heading down to the 3 thinner staging yard mini-ml's.

And this was not just a display layout. A full operations plan was set up, all sidings numbered, and switch lists generated for multiple trains to operate in sessions 4 time during the weekend. Very cool, and flexible, perfect for this type of set up where you may be interrupted to talk to the public about Free-mo. It gives some purpose to the layout besides just running trains around from loop to loop. Meets need to be planned, decisions on how to spot and pick up cars, and a sense of really going somewhere with your train for a purpose. Lots of fun!

I ran my i-Car around the layout and also did some flyover video, so use the link below to check it out on YouTube.

http://bit.ly/MqLTBc

All in all a good experience and the plan now is to do it again next year.

My Woodstown Jct. set up within the overall NE Free-mo layout. (panoramic image causes a little distortion)

I brought this nearly completed this MEC snow plow, (still needs a headlight and some additional details). Good thing, we needed it as it snowed Saturday afternoon!

Free-mo at Bordentown, NJ Train display

For the second year, Free-mo modules were displayed at the annual Bordentown, NJ holiday train show. This show is a free display of operating model railroads open on weekends from Thanksgiving to New Years. Over 4000 people come through the old city hall building to look at the trains, so it is good exposure for the hobby and Free-mo, which represents scale model railroading amongst the Lionel, American Flyer and other display layouts.

This year a curved layout with a peninsula was fit into the half of the room we were allocated. This allowed some operation and gave the visitors the ability to see and hear trains move freight between the railroad barge and the interchange yard.

Thanks to Mike Prokop and Bob Liberman for coordinating the Free-mo participation and manning the layout for 2 weekends. Modules by Mike Prokop, Bob Clegg and myself were set up.

An overall view of the layout constructed.

Mike Prokop's module featuring street trackage mainline with a spur leading to the yard and rail barge.

The rail barge module representing Camden's rail-marine operations of the 1950s.

A new 90 degree curved module made its debut, allowing us to join one interior section of my module to  the others in the space we had available. It was a close fit up against the window and radiator, but Free-mo showed its versatility again in allowing us a neat layout to display and operate!

Busy November!

Coming back from the Laconia NER Convention, I stowed the modules under the layout, covered them with plastic and prepared for the open houses in November. This involves general cleaning up, preparing the run through trains with (hopefully) reliable freight cars that are good to run for 5 hours start each day, and putting up the assorted signs and info that othert model railroaders like to peruse to understand what the layout is all about.

I had about 75 visitors over the first two days, a Sunday followed by a Saturday. Good weather may have impacted the numbers a bit, and with only a bit of publicity this year, probably less of the general public. Certainly there were plenty of return visitors that were good to see. Bill Rose reminded me that I still have not built the ET&HK Ide building yet, as he does each year! I also had a few children and one that quite literally demanded to run a train. Once I prepared a Lamoille Valley passenger extra for him, he settled in and ran the train quite nicely, paying attention to speed and even stopping at the station in Sheldon Jct.

As usual, I did not remember to take too many pictures, but I did get one when there were about 5 people looking around things. Only two can actually be seen however...including Bryan who visits each year and was able to get his Dad down as well.

During the open house, just one picture taken. I always forget to take pictures and get busy talking to everyone!

The following weekend saw about 80 nor so members of the NJ Division NMRA stop by after the local Division Meet. This was a much more crowded and question filled day, but still lots of fun.

I closed out the month by getting a visit in to Ken McCorry's layout. It had been about 8 years or so since I had been there, back when it was Conrail and Penn Central. Now all Pennsy, the layout is just as big as I recall it, and perhaps larger. One picture I took was this quite impressive dispatchers "office". That's a lot of layout to dispatch!

2 chairs probably means 2 dispatchers which equals Big layout!

NER Laconia Convention Report

Although I planned to update the blog during the weekend of the convention, I found myself just too busy to do so.

I headed up to New Hampshire and spent Thursday morning driving up to Franconia and Crawford Notches. Big difference in scenery - the Laconia area was pretty much at peak color - the Notches looked leafless and ready for winter. Still it was cool to visit these areas, and I did get a picture of the Crawford Notch state park sign I needed for the layout. I also headed up the road to where we camp in the summer, but the campground was closed due to the government shutdown.

Here are a couple pictures. First is the Crawford Notch station, which really shows the lack of foliage on the hillside. Next is a Mt. Washington Cog Railway locomotive and passenger car, relocated down to the intersection of US302 and Rt. 3 in Twin Mountain. I assume the steam locomotive is now surplus as they converted from coal power to diesel up on the big mountain. In the third picture, further south, you can see how much more foliage there is beside this Boston & Maine bridge along the Pemigawasset River.

Here is a link to all the non-train photos I took in case you want to check them out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/69256547@N02/sets/72157636708222704/

Thursday afternoon was set up time for the Free-mo layout. It was tough to really get a picture of the overall layout as it was long and linear. I think it was in the neighborhood of 160 feet of mainline. The picture here shows my module being operated by a guest, with a large portion of the layout going down along the wall, turning right and continuing along that wall to the doorway. Not seen is the large return loop that my module fed into.

A full set of Free-mo layout pictures are up on Flickr, so I'm not going to repeat them here. Here is the Flickr link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/69256547@N02/sets/72157636769787906/

The New England Free-mo guys were great and really had their stuff planned out. Set up was quick and efficient. My module fit in with no issues and James Koretsky's CAD planning fit the layout into the room perfectly. Fred Hessler came up with a great operating scheme and we hosted numerous sessions Friday and Saturday. I had a great dinner at a nearby restaurant with the guys Thursday night. Friday I presented my clinic on the St. J & LC, which went OK, although it was a bit disconcerting to have such knowledgeable people in attendance, many who know more than I do about what I was presenting, and I know as a result I was a bit off. Hopefully everyone enjoyed it and learned a little something. Saturday, after more Op sessions, we took the layout down, and I attended the banquet. I left early Sunday in order to get home for some other planned activities.

All in all a really good time. Taking the modules to another group and setting up again proved the value of Free-mo. We had no issues integrating my modules into another group's modules. The weather was really nice, the convention site terrific, and just being up in New Hampshire in October a real treat.

November Open Houses

This November I will again be opening my layout up for visitors during Model Railroad Month as part of the greater MD-DE-PA-NJ Open House Event. A complete list of open layouts is at the model railroad open house web site.

My layout will be open from 12 noon to 4pm on Sunday November 3, 2013.

It will be open again from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday, November 9, 2013.

There are a large number of NJ area layouts open both these days, so it is worthwhile to plan your route along the I-295 corridor to get the most bang for your buck. There is one layout 10 minutes to the west of me, and another 10 minutes to the east, so you can easily see those 3 layouts on one of the days.

One more open house will occur as part of the NJ Division's Meet in nearby Delanco on Saturday November 16, 2013, from 1pm to 5pm. The Meet itself will be in the morning with clinics, and other area layouts will also be open. See the Division's Web Site for more info on that event.

NER Convention Oct. 17-20, 2013

I will be up in Laconia, New Hampshire for the NER NMRA Convention, Tracks to Lakeport. Besides being up in my modeling area, at the height of Fall, there will be a large Free-mo layout constructed on site.

New England Free-mo and members of the Seacoast Division NMRA have a nice point to loop layout planned, and my Woodstown Jct. will be included, just to the left of the return loop in the drawing below:

There will be scheduled Ops Sessions over the layout during the weekend, along with time for free running. I'm looking forward to being there, and if you are going also, please stop by and say hello!

I'll post my usual convention report during the weekend as usual to this web log, so check back for updates.

Picture in MRH Magazine e-mail

This was cool - I posted some of my rock work pictures to a Weekend Photo forum at Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine. They selected one of my photos for the heading in their weekly e-mail update sent out to all subscribers. Neat!

Crawford Notch Scenery Progress

As I mentioned in my post in July, I started on some scenery in the Crawford Notch section of the layout. This section is one end of the layout that curves into staging. The Notch itself and the MEC's Gateway cut through the rocks is where the scenery starts (or ends depending on how you look at it). Having gotten all the basic landforms  in place, I turned my attention to the rock molds that would make up the dramatic entrance/exit for Maine Central freight trains on the layout.

I have a couple of Woodland Scenics molds, but like a lot of their products, I am finding them underwhelming as I do more layout building. They are a great company but I have been finding some really nice alternatives to their stuff. One such item is the rock molds from Sterling Models of Hardwick, Vermont. I picked up one at the Springfield train show and after one casting I knew I needed more of their molds. So I ordered 2 more and after they arrived I started casting rocks for this scene.

I did a few in the mold and let them set up, but I found that it was going to be real tough to just place them into the basic scenery I created. So on the one side, I cut some into pieces and glued them onto the foam, and used Sculptamold to fill in the gaps. On the larger mountain side, I cast the rocks in the mold, but before they totally set up, I pushed them into the scenic base, curving them slightly to fit. The result was that I was able to get to better fit the geography of the scene I created. Here are some pictures:

Here you can see the basic ground cover on the hillside as well as the field behind the tracks. Up front is part of the Rt. 302 highway that will be in the scene.

A look at one of Sterling Models molds and the resulting casting. They work great, clean up easily and have no problem getting castings out of the mold. They are flexible enough to contour to your scenery before fully set and they are strong and have worked great multiple times.

Here is a picture of the prototype and my rockwork castings.

Here is a straight into the staging look that will actually be tough for operators and visitors to see as my workbench will keep people from getting a look like this without really trying. Even still the rock work really helps conceal the train going through the backdrop.

After this set up for a few days, I went back and worked on coloring the rocks. I used the techniques described by Mike Confalone in Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine and the accompanying videos. Basically you use black RIT dye and alcohol to stain the rocks and then oil paints and turpenoid to add colors. Next some chalks are brushed on. It was my first shot using these techniques and I did learn a fe things, but overall I am happy with the results so far. I still am waiting to add some gray and white chalks as I do not have these yet.

With that done I really wanted to get the scene finished, as least around the rock work. So I added underbrush and built some trees. All that remains is ballasting and the addition of some other tree types.

I added a blue sky section on the gray wall to help the scene. Most of the trees are in place although I want to add some pines that I still need to construct.

A closeup with RY-2 reaching the top of the grade at Crawford Notch before stopping at the station to sign the train register book.

A slightly higher vantage point. It clearly shows the kink in my trackwork that I will need to fix before ballasting!

I do want to get back to track work, but this scene has been a lot of fun. I do have scenery on other parts of the layout, but I feel I am still experimenting and finalizing methods. Here I feel pretty happy with the results and look forward to ballast and some weeds to finish it off. I doubt the whole hill side will be tree covered before November, but at least there is enough for some good photos and to give a sense of what the overall look will be like.

Interesting effect

I recently purchased a Nikon DSLR and have started to try out its different features. One is interesting, called a "Miniaturization" effect. I think it is trying to do the one thing we try to avoid in model railroad photography - reduce depth of field.

While taking some pictures of a Conrail Shared Assets local from Camden out to Mt. Holly, I tried out the effect. The train had recently finished all switching work and the crew just grabbed some food across the street in Mt. Laurel, near Larchmont Blvd. First is a regulr shot I took, and then the "miniature" version:

Kind of makes it look model railroad-y. Not sure if I'll use this a lot, but something neat to try after taking some "regular" shots.

Where's all the updates?

Well, I have to say I have been pretty neglectful on updating the blog. I had good intentions back in January to keep at it regularly, but lots of other things have kept me busy. This is not to say that there has not been any work on the layout or modules. Luckily, not true, although maybe not as much as I would like (which is usually the case, right?). There have been quite a few of non-train house-projects this year, and then some ramp up in activities with my band (check out Strange Brew), plus a good deal of nice weather that kept me outside more than usual. Anyway, all that aside, here is what has been going on.

My last update showed work in Morrisville installing ground throws. With all those in I moved back to Groveton to get all the track installed, and then all those ground throws installed in the same manner - throwing them from the front edge with extended throw bars. Next I completed the B&M trackage in Whitefield, laying the sidings and tying the mainline into the diamond. I installed the ground throws and also put in some scenery base.

With a lot of track in place, I sprayed Rustoleum Camouflage paint in dark brown to give the track a basic covering. I'll do additional weathering and rail rust later, but this is a a good start, and it not bad even if you never get anything else done. Some pictures:

Rustoleum Camouflage paint for painting track

Groveton with all track in place. Just need to build that paper mill.

The B&M in Whitefield. this siding is for pulpwood loading. Here you can also see one of the laminated layout location signs I made up over the winter.

Further-away view of work in Whitefield for B&M. Two new sidings to the left, pulpwood siding on the right, and the main line to the diamond. All wiring done and ground throws installed.

Next, I turned my attention to some scenery. Although I wanted to keep on the trackwork and get it done as I set a goal, I felt inspired to rough in some scenery in Crawford Notch. This is one area that I want to look mountainous and is the first scene visitors will see when they come in the doorway. Using cardboard strip, I hot glued a basic landform in place, rising to the point where the Maine Central track curves and goes through the notch. I covered this with plaster cloth, then used some sculptamold to fill in areas and breakup any flat sections of foam. Pretty quick, it was all done in 2 sessions, so I don;t feel to bad about the diversion from tracklaying.

At this point I need a basic covering of paint and some ground cover. The actual tree application will take some time, but I knew this and it is really only the other tree-intensive location besides Sheldon Jct.  At least for the November open house it will be quite a different look than last year. Here is the aptly named White Mountains section on the layout:

Got trees?

The start of Crawford Notch, and the end of on-the-layout scenes for the Maine Central to Portland, Maine.

Here starts a transition between Crawfords and Whitefield. The Crawfords station will be on the upper foam section, and trees going down the hill lead to a road scene in Whitefield. The bridge carries the MEC over the B&M which is going to Groveton through a hidden section.

A better look at the road scene to-be. I wanted a good spot for a few structures close to the layout edge, and a grade crossing here with a few buildings on both sides seemed a good spot. Whitefield does have some buildings right at grade crossings like this, so while not an exact replica, it is how the prototype looked.

Next up will be working on trackage in Johnson, Vermont, which is directly behind the camera for Crawfords/Whitefield. this is along the LVRC and is a nice shelf area right now. Need to do a little subroadbed installation and lay track for the talc mill that will be located here. Then track in Sheldon Jct.needs to be finalized. Track is there, but I never really finished it and had the CV industry siding in place. That will leave Lydonville (my useful flat shelf work area) and North Stratford (on an upper shelf, also useful for storing stuff). It is getting closer to all track being in place, but I am behind my goal of getting it in place before summer. But overall, it is progress over six months where I did not get to much time to focus on model railroading.

Trackplan

I thought I would kick off the blog for 2013 with what has been the most requested piece of information people have asked for...a trackplan of the layout. Below is the basic plan. Not every siding and yard track is shown. Some are but most are not.

I am not really into drawing intricate detailed plans. I like to just build as I go. At some point I will refine this plan to accurately reflect each track.And as it is, not every mainline shown is in exactly the correct position relative to the wall for fascia. It gives you a pretty good idea of how things are laid out though.

Please note that the branch up to north Stratford is not shown at all. this would be over top part of the staging, through the wall and then above Groveton and parts of Gilman. This will require a separate drawing so as not to block and confuse the drawing relative to the lower tracks below this shelf.

This plan was drawn using Empire Express software for the Macintosh, a program I have had for close to 20 years. I would suggest right-clicking on image to open it in a new tab or window, and then you should be able to zoom in. Or you could save it to your desktop and open with your favorite image viewing software (I couldn't figure out how to make blogspot show the image larger right here without diminishing the quality). Enjoy!

End of Year Updates

As 2012 draws to a close, I have some updates from work accomplished in December. It has been a busy month with travel and the holidays, but I have managed to find an hour here and there to get some stuff done.

First up was the trackwork in Morrisville. I soldered feeders for the frogs and dropped these to a central spot for attaching to Tam Valley Depot Frog Juicers. Next I installed the Caboose Industries sprung ground throws, which I had on hand from previous layouts and projects. I did not want these to be in the scene or for the operator to try and work their hands across yard tracks to reach them (imagine the throw at the right being reached if it was at the turnout and the yard tracks are full). So these were mounted along the front edge with music wire throw rods routed through brass tube (both from K&S). I have seen this occasionally on other layouts for hard to reach turnouts, and also on one local layout where they were all mounted along the front like this. Installs went pretty easy. Only hard part was routing tube under some track mounted directly to Homasote. In a couple spots I had to remove some plastic from the tie strip under the rail, and also make sure to insulate the brass rod to prevent a short circuit between the 2 rails (using electrical tape). But most places were easy as the track is up on foam roadbed.

 

The ground throws along the edge will be out of site and easy to reach. The brass tubes allow easy movement of the throw rod and will be hidden by scenery. I was asked about using under track controls, like a Blue Point or Bull Frog. First, I wanted to make use the ground throws I already had on hand. Second this spot really lended itself well to quickly and easily mounting them along the front edge. Third, I did not have much space to mount throw rod controls as I put a shelf section under this yard. The rods could probably still be fit in, but it would have been harder and more time consuming to do. So it came down to money (I already had what I needed), time (the ground throws go much quicker in this installation), and final appearance (the rod controls in this area would either not be recessed or not as easy to access for the operator).

Shelf under yard would have made it harder to install throw rod controls, and if recessed would have been harder to reach and operate.

With that complete it was on to Groveton. I completed assembly of the slide in bridge section in front of a closet which will allow the B&M track to cross from under Whitefield over to Groveton. It is wide enough to keep any derailing cars off the floor and also have a turnout here to extend the length of the passing siding and main. The bridge will simply slide into place and hit stops. I will add a piece of fascia to the front and some sort of lock to keep it from moving. Most of the time I do not need access to this closet, and never during an Op session.

I then tried out various track arrangements to get what I was looking for. The the train will need to arrive on the main (at right) and use the passing siding to place pulled cars. When done the loco will need to run around the train to leave. There is also a facing point turnout for woodchip unloading (car spotted there in far end of photo) as well as the passing siding being the interchange track for cars to and from the Grand Trunk. So a little thought ahead of time will be needed for an operator to switch this area. Not too difficult or unrealistic, just more to add to the fun. I removed all the track and installed the Homa-Bed roadbed. I could have used a solid piece of Homasote, but I like the idea that I can scenic the tracks as elevated better this way, plus I still have a good deal of Homa-Bed remaining to use, and no Homasote sections! So again, use what I have instead of buying something new.

I then started to lay the track, transitioning from the Code 100 hidden track to Code 83 and onto the bridge section. I used PC Board ties so I could run the rails right to the edges and keep them as secure as possible. Again, the bridge is not supposed to be moved around too often, but I wanted to make it as easy as possible with no special connector rails. I will need a single plug to power the rails on to shelf section though.

For the PC Boards, I installed flat drywall screws and filed the tops clean to accept solder. I ran the track right across the joint and then marked which ties needed to be removed, and then used latex caulk to lay the track. When dry I soldered the rails to the PC boards. I made up guard rails and soldered these in as well. When all done, I used a cut off disc in a Dremel tool to cut the rail. The result is rails that align perfectly.

Screws ready for PC Board to be soldered in place.

PC Boards installed, and gaps cut in copper to prevent short circuits between rails.

Track laid across joints with adhesive caulk and pinned in place.

Main rails and guard rails soldered in place, and rails cut.

Now it is on to the rest of the tracklaying in Groveton. I have enough track and all the turnouts, so this should continue to move along. Once the track is done, and wired, and the ground throws installed (I think this area also lends itself to this type of installation), I can paint the track here and in Morrisville. But I don't plan to do anymore scenery than that. I want to continue to focus on installing the rest of the track, so it will be on to Whitefield to connect the B&M to the diamond with the Maine Central, as well as installing the couple of sidings there.

I can then move onto the last local areas needing trackwork (besides the mainlines which are in place), Johnson, Sheldon Jct., Lyndonville, and North Stratford. But I do not have to get these done before holding an informal Ops Session, one to just get people acquainted with the layout and run a portion of the train schedule. My goal last summer was to do that during this winter, and with Morrisville and Groveton in place, I think that is feasible. So the goal will be sometime in February or March to do that. Here's hoping I can keep that New Year's Resolution!