Superior & Seattle Railroad Build (Volume 2) Started 2/25/17

[S&S RR]

Today, the helix was completed, and I started adding the top level to the benchwork.  As I mentioned, earlier, this top area will have a large roundhouse and turntable. It will be built on my workbench on a piece of 1/4 inch plywood that will be glued and screwed in place on top of the 3/4 inch plywood that you see in the photograph.  The helix has all the drop wires soldiered on and pasted the test car inspection.  No pumps or out of gauge track that put it on the ground as it wound it's way from the top to bottom level. I even gave it a shove at the top and let it fly at "Greg speed plus" and it didn't come off the track.  Tomorrow, I plan on pulling some wires and getting started with some power to the area. 

[S&S RR]

Wildlife report:  So far, I have had 10 deer, a raccoon, a possum, a fox,  to many squirrels to count, and a wild turkey look in the window at me as I was building the helix. 

[Dennis Bourey]

Beautiful job John, Cant wait to see your Roundhouse  

Dennis

[S&S RR]

Beautiful job John, Cant wait to see your Roundhouse  

Dennis

Dennis


Thank you, I'm not sure when the roundhouse will make it to the top of the build list. It's a long list.

[MAP]

Looking great John!  You're really knocking off a lot of things on your expansion.  Keep those progress pics coming.

[S&S RR]

Looking great John!  You're really knocking off a lot of things on your expansion.  Keep those progress pics coming.

Hi Mark


Thank you for the complements. I'm really looking forward to get this new yard area functioning.  It is going to help with progress on the rest of the layout, too.  The expansion of my workshop is also a welcome change.

[S&S RR]

Today,  Wayne Olson and I spent part of the day pulling the need wires for the expansion of the layout. The two pair of main power district wires had to go from the main control panel all the way to the opposite side of the layout - roughly 80 feet because of the L shape of the benchwork. We also spent some time perfecting the technique we are using to do the final coloring of all the rock work on the layout using chalks and pigments.  I really like how it makes the features of the rocks pop, and allows you to create more depth. I will take pictures when we get an area completed.

[S&S RR]

I made some more progress on the benchwork for the expansion. This expansion is Phase IV of the layout build.  In Phase V the entertainment center will be replaced and the upper layer of the layout will fill that area.  The TV and stereo will be built into the benchwork.  Constantly planning ahead.

[cuse]

Wow...that's an ambitious expansion...When is the Expo coming to your town?


John

[Dennis Bourey]

I agree WOW!!!!!!!!!!! It's looking great John.

[S&S RR]

Wow...that's an ambitious expansion...When is the Expo coming to your town?


John

Thanks for stopping by John.  It would be nice to have an EXPO in the Midwest. 

[S&S RR]

I agree WOW!!!!!!!!!!! It's looking great John.

Thank you Dennis.  The lower level of this area is going to be one big yard.  The upper level Phase V, will be all scratch built structures, if the current plan passes the test of time.  Phase V is probably 5 or more years from now. 

[Dennis Bourey]

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You need a showing    Dennis

[S&S RR]

Todays progress picture: The framing is almost complete.  I need to make a run to the lumber yard for a few more 2x4's in the morning.  I should start adding the plywood top tomorrow.

[ReadingBob]

Wow!     That's really impressive John.