Ogden & Cache Valley RR

[Onewolf]

I spray painted some white 'haze' and then I removed all the plastic sheeting and did a thorough cleanup of the dust and schmootz created while fairing/sanding/painting the backdrop.  Now I'm ready to start installing plywood sub-roadbed for the upper level mainline.

[ACL1504]

Doug,

The backdrop looks fantastic. Great job.

Tom

[ak-milw]

What Tom Said!!

[Twopoint2]

Doug

The backdrop and layout construction look great.

[Onewolf]

I installed LED strip lights for the middle level under the upper level 'wings'. This is the right side wing.



And the left side wing. I also added a short light strip for the lower level corner as there had been a dark spot there previously.



I am starting the cut and dry place the 3/4" plywood sub-roadbed for the upper level track.



There is a passing track along the mainline in the left 'wing'. The radii of the large curve area is 42" (mainline) and 44 1/4" (passing track).

[Onewolf]

I am starting to install the Woodland Scenics 3/16" foam roadbed for the upper level mainline and passing track.

The WS foam roadbed in 24ft rolls is very easy to install quickly, but it's much softer than cork or homasote roadbed so it tends to deflect a lot when pushed (which allows the track to move more than I would prefer). Another issue is that you cannot sand it down to fair it when transitioning from mainline roadbed to no roadbed.

I am using DAP Dynaflex 230 (gray) to affix the roadbed to the plywood.



There are three #8 turnouts along here (farthest to nearest: passing track return, helper engine pocket (for designated helper climb district), and finally the Cache Valley Branch line turnout)

[ReadingBob]

Wow!     That's really something.  Thanks for sharing.  I'm certainly going to be following along.  I can't wait to see how this turns out.   

[postalkarl]

Onewolf:

All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have really done a beautiful job with this so far. Can't wait to see some scenery and structures.

Karl

[Onewolf]

I've been working on the upper level return loop/staging track subroadbed for the last several days.

The mainline track will transition from the WS 3/16" foam roadbed to bare plywood in the hidden upper return loop.



The upper return loop is at elevation 82" above the room floor and 52" above the center platform floor.



There will be large agricultural facilities and small town (Franklin, Idaho) 6.5" above the upper return loop.

The outside track (mainline) of the return loop will have a 41" radius and there will be 5 staging tracks inside with the smallest radius being 29 3/4".



I just painted the plywood and the paint is still wet.

[Onewolf]

I built both turnout ladders for the upper return loop staging tracks and I drilled the holes for the tortoise turnout motors. I only have one obstructed location where I will mount the tortoise offset to the side.

[jbvb]

40+ inch radii will be nice for large steam and full-size passenger cars.  All I could manage in my attic was 36".

[Onewolf]

Gluing down the outside return loop track (mainline). I use DAP Dynaflex 230 clear to glue the flex track. I tack down turnouts and Atlas rerailer assemblies.



Shows the relative height of the return loop from the center platform floor. The center platform floor is 30" above the room floor and the upper return loop is 52" above it (82" absolute elevation).



The view of the helix and upper return loop from the lower main aisle.



The Walthers #8 curved turnout and entrance tracks for the upper return loop staging track ladders. You can also see the mainline track on the middle level level below (20" rail-to-rail elevation difference - 62" vs 82").



Gluing down the first staging track loop. The second staging track has also been soldered and dry placed.



The second staging track dry placed (not glued yet).



Gluing down the second staging track.

[Onewolf]

The track for the upper return loop and staging tracks is complete. Now I'm going to start working on the mainline track leading from the bridge over the aisle to the return loop. Note the lower return loop on the left of the photo. It is functionally identical to the upper return loop.







Looking from the exit of the bridge over the aisle along the mainline track. the first turnout to the right is probably going to be to service a cattle/hog farm/ranch.



Working on laying the mainline track out around the left 'wing'. There is also a passing track in this area I will be installing next.



You can see the roadbed for the passing track on the left of the mainline.

[Onewolf]

I finished installing the upper level mainline track from the bridge over the aisle around to the upper level return loop. I installed track feeders and the 10GA THHN track power bus as well.











This is how I install Tortoise turnout motors when there is an obstruction underneath that prevents mounting them directly under the turnout points. In ths case (the Walthers #8 curved turnout for the return loop) the LED lights for the middle level forced me to offset the Tortoise mount.



An offset mount in one of the upper return loop staging track ladders. I ended up having to offset mount 4 of the 11 turnouts that make up the upper return loop/staging tracks.



A test/prototype of the upper return loop control/status panel. Once I am happy with the layout and functionality of the three control/status panels (lower return loop, helix, upper return loop) I plan to have nice etched plexiglass panels made.



Hinges out for access.



These are the turnout control boards (NCE Switch-8 mk2, Switch-It mk2, button board) that control the 10 staging track ladder turnouts.



Control station #3 controls/powers the Helix, Middle level center, upper level, and upper return loop.



I still have some wire tidying to complete. There is just barely enough room for me to stand/work in there.



Here's the 'hole' in the benchwork I stand in to work on the upper level turnout control components (If I can't reach from the control/status panel access hole).



I'm starting to add the 2x4 risers that will support the 3/4" plywood and 3/4" foam that will cover about half the upper return loop and provide the base for Franklin, Idaho 6" above the return loop track.



The diagonal 1x2 shows how the backdrop partition wall will line up. The upper level return loop on the right will be covered and on the left will be exposed (however it's 82" above the room floor so it won't be readily visible).



The 4ft level shows how much space there will be below the 3/4" plywood base/cover. It looks like trains on the staging tracks should be reasonably visible as they approach the fouling points (Atlas rerailers). I may install an LED strip to the bottom of the 3/4" plywood in this area to improve visibility of the staging tracks, but based on this view it may not be necessary.

[Zephyrus52246]

Nice wiring.  Elegant control panel as well, with easy access.  Will look even better with the finished plexiglass.  Very nice.


Jeff