PRR Bellevue Sub Build

[ReadingBob]

Curt,

That's an impressive amount of work you've accomplished in such a short period of time.    The layout is really taking shape.     Looking good!

[postalkarl]

Hey curt:

Love the layout pics. Keep em coming buddy.

Karl

[Dennis Bourey]

Curt, Your running the same DCC I need to ask a few questions about....Dennis

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Thank you Dennis, Bob and Karl for following and your kind words.

Dennis- Send me a PM and I'll try to answer your questions, I'm no DCC wizard but I can usually figure out the issue with enough time.

The only progress I have made is painting the bare wood in the yard and right pier (brown) and did a black wash in the Engine Service Facility.

[ACL1504]

Curt,

You've made some impressive progress since I last visited. Very nice looking layout.

Tom

[postalkarl]

Hey Curt:

The RR is looking just great and I really like your RR room. Keep the pics flowing.

Karl

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Thank you Tom and Karl for your kind words and following along.

After 4 or 5 days of no progress today I did a test of the ground cover that I plan on putting in the engine servicing area. The black is WS Cinders and the brown is Scenic Express dirt (ground up gravel). The glue darkens the brown. Instead of doing blobs of cinders I think the streaking is the way to go.

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

I did a second test of the "dirt" since I didn't really like the color of the dirt after applying thinned glue to it. The lower section which I like much better has a layer of Elmer's first then I sprinkled the dirt on it and left it to dry. It still holds nicely without the thinned glue.

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Today I hit a milestone by connecting the first reverse loop to the main line and everything working like it should. I did run into intermittent starts and stops when testing with the F3. I had previously metered everything so I know everything had power. After cleaning the track twice and cleaning the loco wheels everything worked fine.

I did realize that I had to split the track on both sides of the T/O going from the main to the reverse loop because of the dead frogs in the T/O (PECO Insulfrog) as seen in the first photo.

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Today I finished the main track of the first reverse loop (still have a stub track to do). It's been electrically hooked up and tested on both ends. Tomorrow I'll probably start with the last set of WS risers for the coal business.

[GPdemayo]

You've been busy Curt.....looking great. 

[PRR Modeler]

Good Afternoon All,

Greg thanks for following along.

I've made a lot of progress since the last post. I put in the cork and track on the WS incline. In the one picture the coal trestle is in place but not permanently.

In the yard I added the reverse loop crossover and the 3 left stub tracks. I put them in yesterday but was not happy with the connection points so I pretty much ripped everything up and redid the trackwork again. I'm much happier with it now. The closest stub track to the camera will also be my programing track. Nothing has been hooked up electrically yet.

The track laying is almost complete. I have 3 or 4 (haven't decided yet) on the right side then it's done.

[ACL1504]

Curt,

Yes, you have been busy for sure. The layout is looking good - well done my friend.

Tom

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Tom thanks for following along and your kind words.

Since my last post there has been several days of nothing then I cut down 2 Chooch flexible small stone walls and attached them to the painted WS Risers with gorilla glue. I wanted a glue that would stand up to ballasting on top of it. I clamped the edges for 24 hours as recommended. Afterwards I gave it a craft paint black wash and wiped most of it off. This was followed by a medium brown then black weathering powder.

This afternoon I attached 9 sets of feeder wires that will be powered by the normal main buss and then soldered the rail joiners for those tracks. I have things to do tomorrow so probably no feeder wire hookup to the buss.

My wife is getting this fabric made for a window curtain in the train room.

[jerryrbeach]

Curt,


I really like the coal trestle and the use of the Chooch stone walls on the grade.  Your multiple track elevations really add interest to the layout.  I'm looking forward to your continued progress.