Ogden & Cache Valley RR

[postalkarl]

Hi Doug:

All I can Say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Onewolf]

I used a 12" piano hinge to mount the control/display panel for the helix area and I used a magnetic latch to hold it closed.



A wider view of the helix control/status panel.



The view of the helix with the panel door open.



I plan to locate the Laser 3 Modeling "John Murray & Sons Coal Distribution" craftsman kit in this location. I have installed the spur track that will service this facility.



I have shaped/glued/wired all the Micro Engineering code 70 service/spur track around the center platform on the lower and middle levels.



It took quite a while to figure out how to shape the Micro Engineering track so it has reasonably smooth/flowing curves. I have also caulked/painted the remaining two shelf support brackets that support the middle levels on the corners of the center platform.



There will be numerous businesses/industries supported by the track around the cednter platform on the lower/middle levels.



A wider view of the lower and middle levels.

[ACL1504]

Doug,

The layout is wonderful and you've been very busy. It looks fantastic.

I look forward to seeing the layout again next Saturday.


Tom

[LongHornCaddy]

You're doing a fantastic job here!   My wife and I also have a mushroom design layout.  Visitors love it and we  almost always hear the same thing, "there's more?"  I'll be watching for updates

[Onewolf]

It's been a long time since I updated the layout build thread so here goes....

In August I took about 3 months off from active construction on the layout because of a number of distractions:  Hurricane Irma was a minor distraction, I spent about a month working on a new 90 gallon freshwater aquarium setup (and aux 40 gal Discus 'grow' tank), and then I had a significant distraction at work.  The company I worked for for the last 26.5 years implemented a new 'site strategy' as of Nov 1 that resulted in our 140 person local development/engineering team being shut down.  I had an opportunity to relocate to the new San Fransisco office (no way!) but I decided to take my 'package' instead. I was provided a generous severance package which included about 15 months salary in a lump sum and 15 months of benefits (health insurance, etc) paid for. Since my wife is working and her salary covers our 'nut' I plan to take 3-4 months off and work on a long 'to-do' list around the house and to make as much progress on the  layout as possible.

I got back to working on the layout in early December.

I installed the occupancy detection boards and status display circuits for the helix.



The back side of the helix status/control panel:



Here's a (high speed) video of the helix occupancy display as a train traverses the helix: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMHye1F8hfE

I fixed an issue with the double gapped track where the track passes through the backdrop on it's way into the 4 track staging yard in the model workshop room.





I layed carpet tiles under the helix



I installed plywood subroadbed for the classification yard two lead/drill tracks.



I installed (removable) 1/8" masonite panels over the two wndow openings and painted the blue backdrop along this wall (finally!)





I installed a status panel for three PSX circuit breakers for booster #1.



I installed Tortoise motors and NCE Switch-It mk II boards with toggle switches to control the three turnouts for the four staging tracks in the model workshop.



I moved the Digitrax UR-92 radio receiver up next to the upper level return loop control/status panel (in the center of the room).



I decided I wanted a ice house/platform facility on a yard siding to provide ice for the reefer fleet. I wanted enough ice platform length to service 6 reefers and enough spur track length to handle 12 at a time. This required adding additional plywood roadbed adjacent to the two yard lead tracks.





Yard leads (with loco run-around) and reefer ice service track are done.



I finally got my order of 46 Peco turnouts required for the yard and loco service terminal (Along with 125 sections of Atlas code 83 flex track).



You can see the printed copy of the yard throat area I needed for reference purposes.



Starting to work on the yard throat. It's fairly complicated because of the two arrival/departure tracks and two yard leads having the ability to simultaneously work two different sets of classification tracks without interfering with the other yard lead.



There are two caboose tracks, the track that allows yard lead track #2 to access the second set of classification tracks, and the main classification yard ladder track that connect the yard lead tracks to the thoroughfare track.



Gluing down arrival/departure track #1 and dry placed arrival/departure track #2.



My technique for connecting track feeders. I bend the tip (~1/16") of the 22 ga solid wire and flatten it.



I place the flattened tip on the base of the rail.



After soldering. After the track is painted and ballasted the track feeder will be virtually invisible.  There are over 100 pairs of track feeders for the main yard/loco service terminal.



I have added a DCC Specialties "PowerPax" for the DCC programming track and a RRampMeter to show real-time DCC voltage and current to booster station #1.



Booster station #2 also has a RRampMeter and a 5V power supply for the two RR-Cirkits BOD-8 occupancy detection boards used in the lower return loop and staging tracks.



Booster station #3 has a 5V power supply for the five RR-Cirkits BOD-8 occupancy detection boards used by the helix and upper return loop/staging tracks. It needs a RRampMeter.



Booster station #4 provides power for the main classification yard and locomotive service terminal. It needs a RRampMeter.



Over the last month I have systematically gone through all of my "era appropriate" locomotives to verify functionality, install DCC decoders as needed, configure long DCC addresses, lubricated as needed, test run, and added to JMRI DecoderPro 'Roster'. I have about 42 'era' plausible locomotives (as well as about 25 non era appropriate diesel locomotives (post 1959). In my freelance world the Utah Railway will be running a couple 2-6-6-4 NW Class As and 4-6-4 Hudsons in addition to their 2-8-8-2 steamers.



I have started researching methods for weathering the track. The layout has about 1200 ft of visible track and 86 visible turnouts. Most of the 'how to' videos show people using masking tape to cover the points and pivot points on turnouts to prevent them from getting sprayed in order to avoid electrical conductivity issues. After the spray paint dries they come back and manually touchup the masked areas with a paint brush. With 86 turnouts that would be tedious and I concluded that if I had a very precise mask object I could avoid the manual brush phase. So I created a couple mask objects using TinkerCad.com and my 3D printer.



I created a mask for the pivot points as well.



I modified the points mask to taper the areas that sit between the stock bars and the inside of the rails.



They seem to work great. The points mask works for both the Peco #6 and #8 turnouts, but the pivot mask geometry is different between the #6 and #8 turnouts.



After removing the masks.



I noticed all three of my Athearn RTR Gas Turbine Veranda locomotives bounced severely when crossing the #8 double slip switch and they caused frequent shorts on the frogs of the Peco insulfrog turnouts. I measured the width of the wheelsets and found all 14 axles on the locomotives/tenders were out of spec/narrow on all three locomotives/tenders. Internet research showed I wasn't the only person who noticed that problem. So I purchased an NSWL 'the puller' and adjusted the wheelsets/axles so they are within NMRA specification and now the locomotives/tenders run MUCH better.



Video of the Athearn Gas Turbine loco/tender bouncing across the #8 double slip switch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUhwys24a1A

Video of the Athearn Gas Turbine loco/tender crossing the #8 double slip switch after fixing the wheelsets so they are in spec.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu5XQzy9m4o

Working on gluing down the 8 classification tracks in the main yard. The eight tracks vary from 174" to 218" inches long and they can hold up to 250 40ft cars or 205 50ft cars.









The yards 'car shop' facility in the foreground.



All the 'missing' ties have been placed.





Doing some testing on weathering/painting track.



It's time to start making decisions on ballast color. Here's some of the samples I got from Arizona Rock & Mineral company. I have about 1200 feet of visible track that will need to be weathered and ballasted.  Oy.

[cuse]

Glad you and I are both back to working on the layout...although the comparison is me shooting around in the driveway and you're now in the NBA ...Amazing as always and congratulations on your transition!


Your neighbor, John

[postalkarl]

Hey One Wolf:

That is quite a layout you are building there. You are doing one heck of a job with it. All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!

Karl

[tct855]

Yeah nice build I guess. Thanx Thom...

[tct855]

Doug,

    Ha, nice build indeed.  Brother what a ridiculous catalog pictorial sir!  Where does one begin?  I watched this thread from the beginning.  Quite inspiring!  You are truly a gifted and highly talented individual for sure.

Loved visiting your website, lots of cool pictures for sure.  Love the high-quality detailed pictures of your layout build.  I like the switch point centering tool (very cool indeed).  For some reason, I have a craving for root beer. 

Between you and ACL 1504's diet Pepsi, the little woman says I drink too much soda.  That's okay, I'm a dew man myself.  Keep up the great work and I'm ridin' your coat tales here. Thanx Thom...

[tct855]

One wolf,

   Question:  Since you've started this railroad project.  What have you learned?  Anything you wish you didn't do or wish you did do?  Any follower advice?  Thanx Thom...

[GPdemayo]

Hi Doug.....sorry to hear about the layoff (I don't think I would like to live in CA either), but great progress on the layout. 

Amazing what can be done when the real world doesn't interfere with our miniature world. 

[jimmillho]

Another Florida Modeler who has 6 Saturdays nd 1 Sunday every week.
Can't say I like the way you joined the rest of the Saturdays all week group.

Love what you have been doing on the layout.

Jim

[Erieman]

Doug,


Love your layout progress. The folks at Arizona Rock are going to love you. I would recommend that you but all the material at one time. I have recommended this to several other folks on the forum. This is  one man operation and you have a better chance of getting color consistency in one big lot versus buying some now and more later at your local hobby shop. Phil will give you an estimate on what quantity you need and he is typically a bit generous. Always get more that recommended because we all know, layouts are know to get bigger than originally planned. He produces a beautiful product. Hope that this helps.


Frank / Erieman

[deemery]

Those 3d-printed paint masks for turnouts are an excellent idea!! (Can I buy a set?)


dave

[jbvb]

That was one huge update.  Glad to see progress, looking forward to more.  All I can say about AR&M is I'm using a mix of N-scale Cinders, Basalt and HO Scale Yard Mix for cinder-ballasted track on my current project.