Ogden & Cache Valley RR

[Onewolf]

I have completed the basic helix construction with the exception of the helix exit track at the top.  I realized at the last minute I had run out of Peco code 100 large right hand turnouts and I had to order several more on Saturday. This delay will allow me to finish up wiring the track power in the helix while waiting for the turnouts.

[deemery]

Is that blood on the towels on the last photo?  ugh...


dave

[Onewolf]

What happened there was that I had dropped a rail joiner on the floor the day before and it magically disappeared (like they do).  The next day I was gluing/clamping more risers in the helix when I noticed the 'renegade' rail joiner on the floor.  I immediately bent over to pick it up and I scraped my forehead about 2" worth on one of the large clamps I had just setup.  Many expletives sallied forth !$#@!!*^!! and then the blood started flowing down my face. The blood leakage stopped fairly quickly so I continued building....

PS: That's the second paper towel I was using to pat down the scrape after I continued building/bleeding.  The first paper towels were pretty well soaked in blood. 

[jimmillho]

Some people really put "Blood, Sweat and Tears" into their work.

Jim

[deemery]

People with hair don't realize how much even a little bit of hair protects your head.  Any scratch in my baldness creates lots of blood :-(


dave

[jbvb]

Good progress. They won't have to look too hard for a sample of my DNA on/around my layout either.

[bparrish]

OK ....

This begs a rather embarrassing story...

When I was standing up my bench work about ten years ago, I was using industrial screws and a Makita cordless,

I was cooking along and chose to hold two 1x4s together with my hand rather than clamping.  Clamping takes too long when I'm flat rating.  An old mechanic's term.

A screw came out of a box that was the correct length to have nothing sticking out the back.  Wrong...... a miss matched screw a half inch longer was mixed in. 

I didn't notice and promptly ran the screw into my finger on the back side........ Owwwwww     ! ! ! !

But Wait  ! ! !

I had the presence of mind not to jerk my finger away..........  I fumbled around.. one handed.... reversed the drill and backed the screw out.  It hurt but at least my finger didn't look like a big Mac.

sad but true..

see ya
Bob

[deemery]

About 25-30 years ago, I was holding a board as I was drilling a 1/4" hole.  The drill went through the wood and into my palm.  Fortunately, I managed to miss all the bones in my hand... 


dave

[Zephyrus52246]

I struck my head on the end of a Irwin Bar Clamp when I stood up after being under the layout once.  I bought a hard hat the next day and nearly always use it when I'm under the layout, or on the ladder. 


Jeff

[Onewolf]

Cross posted from daily chat.....

I've been working on the layout getting ready to start laying the mainline track on the middle level.  I have also been theorizing about possible solutions for a potential (minor) issue that needs to be resolved at some point:  Unless I do something, the tortoise turnout control motors for the 12 middle level turnouts will be rather visible under the middle level fascia.

See attached photos.  The first one shows the view from _my_ perspective.  The second shows the view from a 5 ft tall person's perspective.  The third photo is from 6'10" tall perspective.

Possible options I have considered:

#1) Don't worry about it.  It's not the end of the world.
#2) Increase the height of the middle level fascia from 4" to 5 1/2".  I like the look of the current 4" fascia height with the exception of the visible tortoises.
#3) Use the Tortoise remote activator kits and mount the tortoises horizontally near the back of the benchwork.
#4) Find a 'shorter' alternative to Tortoise like servo motors
#5) Use manual ground throws since they are all accessible locations.
#6) Since they are Peco turnouts they have positive throw mechanism and don't _need_ to be powered or ground throw
#7) ?

Advice/Recommendations?

Thanks.

Doug

[deemery]

One other option:  Paint the Tortoise motors to match the fascia, or at least cover them with little pieces of brown store bag, so they're not as obvious. 


dave

[sdrees]

Here is a link to a low profile switch machine suitable for a shelf layout.

http://www.modelrailroadcontrolsystems.com/mp1-switch-motor/

By the way, your layout is looking great.

[jbvb]

Re: 6  I have operated on a layout where the owner really wants everyone to throw Peco turnouts by pushing the throwbar, not the points themselves.  He said this is because pushing the points is much more likely to break them loose in the long run.

[ACL1504]

Doug,

Any updates? As fast as you've been, you are probably doing scenery by now.

Inquiring minds and all that.

Tom

[Powersteamguy1790]

Doug:

I just finished reading the entire thread about your build of the layout. Your bench work is magnificent. Have fun working and planning your new layout.

Stay cool and run steam......