Willsboro trackwork and track power completed

Willsboro complete..

Over the last week, I completed the install of the 3 remaining tortoise machines at Willsboro.
I also moved one of the DS54's from North Creek (where it was no longer needed) to Willsboro to cover the change in track layout and the additional 2 tortoise machines that were needed.

Once Willsboro was completed a few test trains were run through the area to check the gauge of the 2 hand laid turnouts and other track work.. All worked with no issues.

Once Willsboro was completed I then set about making the additional turnouts that I needed for the Whitehall south end and loco facility.

I have now built 10 turnouts of the 40 odd that are required and started to plan the Loco facility in more detail.

Due to a long list from the list master 4000 (aka Michelle) of things to do over the weekend, not much has been done on the layout this weekend.. I plan to complete the loco facility this week..

Stay tuned..

D&H Electrical Department hard at work

Wires, Tortoise and more wire

It has been a week or so since my last blog update..
While the info flow on the blog has been slow, the works on the layout have not been..

A week or so ago I completed the tortoise machine install for the North end of Whitehall including the industral track and the storage tracks.

Then I moved onto a small job of completeing the track and tortoise machines for the Cement plant at Ft Edward.

Once the Cement plant was completed, I then needed to turn my hand to building more turnouts for the layout.
As of today I have now built 6 of the 38 that are needed.
They are getting better every time and Im most pleased with the outcome.

Once I had increased the stocks of turnouts, I then moved to Willsboro and installed the Paper Mill tracks as well as the other industral spur that is in town.

I have still need to install tortoise machines on three of the turnouts however the track work is now complete.
Here are a few pictures of Willsboro.
The U30C and caboose are sitting on the switching lead for the paper mill. This will enable switching to be completed independantly of the main line. The paper mill switcher will be either a S2/S4 or a RS2 and be held at the plant.

Thats all for now.
This weekend I hope to install the 3 trmaining tortoise machines at Willsboro and then I will return to Whitehall and complete the build of the turnouts needed for the loco facility.
Stay tuned.

First Hand Laid Turnout Installed

Roll your own they say.!

Some time ago I built a few test turnouts as I need to build around 40 turnouts for the layout.

Turnouts 1 and 2 were ok but # 3 was quite good and I was really happy with it.

This week I finally got my hands on some Pliobond glue and used the Fasttracks quick sticks ties that came with the Fasttracks Jig.

I then added the ties to the turnout and then installed it into the layout.
After a few minor tweaks the turnout was installed and I was able to run a loco and cars through it in no time.

Here are a few pictures of the installed turnout..

See this short video here or on Youtube. http://youtu.be/N-ZfoPHgisA

In terms of other work. I managed to get 2 more turnouts installed last night and have another 7 to go.
Stay tuned for the next update.

Whitehall Yard build continues

Tortoise machines everywhere!

This weekend I managed to install 8 tortoise machines including the frog power wiring as well as 3 blocks installed for the yard tracks..

Here are a few progress pictures.

Whitehall South End. 8 Tortoise machines installed.

Whitehall North End. 13 Tortoise machines to be installed.
All in position and orientated correctly (due to timber work below) ready for the track feed wires to be installed for frog power.

Once I get the Tortoise machines installed, I will then complete the 3 remaining yard blocks to be powered up and detected. The blocks are a quicker job so will probably be done before the tortoise machines.

Stay tuned for the next update.

Track Gangs hard at work

Eating through Atlas Code 55 Flex.

After a short break and some running of trains, it was time to get back in the saddle and lay some more track.
This time I chose to build the Whitehall yard. The yard consists of 32 turnouts.
Of the 32, 4 had already been installed as part of the main line installation.
Then a quick count back on available turnouts in my stock soon reviled a short fall in the number needed to build the complete yard including the loco facility. I found I was 8 short... darn it.

I was able to complete the main yard tracks and the north run around including the switch lead track.
Here are some pictures of the finished product.

Once finished, I ran a train around and manually moved it into its position to get a feel for the yard length. The standard train length for the layout is 2 x 6 axle loco's (or 3 x 4 axle) + 20 x 50ft box cars and a caboose. The train that is in the yard has 3 x 4 axle loco's (C 420's) + 2 x 40 ft box cars (track cleaners) + 21 x 90 ton hoppers + a caboose. So as you can see it is a bit longer than the standard train length but still fits into track 3 of the yard.

Looking at the yard and the space available between the run around track and the isle, I still have space to add another track if needed. However, I think I will hold off for now and see how things work. I think a main line passing siding, main line, 6 yard tracks, plus a bypass track should be sufficient for the layout needs.

As this is just the track work, I now need to install the 20 tortoise machines and apply power to the track. Hopefully I will complete that in the next week or so.

Stay tuned for the next update.

Cab ride on the Champlain Division

Lets do a tour.

I loaned my fathers small 720p HD camera and mounted it on a flat car and took it for a spin around the layout.

As you will see, I started at the back of North Staging and progressed south bound from there to Plattsburgh, Pt Douglas, Willsboro, Whitehall, Ft Edward, Saratoga Springs and then into South staging. Once in South staging the train continues through south staging, to the return loop and then takes the diverging route back to North staging.

Here is the video.

Link to the Youtube video.

Next I will place the camera on a flat car that is 3 or 4 cars back from a loco and do another tour.
Stay tuned for that!..

Layout room walk around

A short video.

Recently, after getting things up and running, I did a layout room walk around and took video from my iPhone.
Here is the video clip. It is the no frills version so no editing.. Just straight video.

YouTube Video Link

Hopefully this will give you a feel for the size of the room. It is 7.5m x 6m.
The main deck of the layout is 1400mm from the ground (in most places)