Test Session on the D&H

Time for some testing.

Today I invited Bill, Rod and John F over for a test session on the D&H.

After a guided tour of the layout and its various levels, (and a quick cup of tea) we set about running a few trains across the D&H 4th sub division from the Canadian border (North Staging) north of Cooperville (around the 3 turn helix) through Willsboro, around the 1 turn helix) Pt Henry, Whitehall and then on south to Oneonta (South Staging).

At this point only the main line and town loops of Cooperville (upper level), Willsboro, Pt Henry and Whitehall (lover level) are installed. There are only a few industry spurs installed and towns are not yet complete.

A number of trains were run across the subdivision and the layout seemed to run fairly well.

The CATS panel is just in testing at present and was not used, but was operational to enable trains to run into staging on both ends and the JMRI panel is then set up to detect the entry of a train and auto throw the turnouts to enable it to run in and then back out again with out engineer intervention. This feature will not be used during sessions but is handy when I need a train to just go into staging and then back out again.

Here are a few pictures.

CATS Panel

 South Staging

 A meet at Willsboro

 Willsboro

 Willsboro

 Willsboro

 Approaching Whitehall from the north with the Rutland branch entering Whitehall in the foreground

 North Staging

 North Stating, Helix, Rutland branch and South Staging, all stacked on top of each other.

 Train entering the layout from the Rutland Branch (single ended track hidden away under the helix

 Whitehall with some temp buildings.

 Train departing Whitehall heading North to Pt Henry

 South end of Pt Henry

 North end of Pt Henry

 Main line between Pt Henry and Willsboro with 1 turn helix to extend the run.

 Entering Willsboro

 Train on the Fairhaven branch from Willsboro heading to Fairhaven

Approaching Fairhaven

Arriving in Fairhaven

Fairhaven

Fairhaven from the north end.

Thanks to Rod, Bill and John F for coming and giving the layout a workout.

Now back to building more turnouts.

Upper Level Main Line Complete

Upper level main line and upper staging complete

Over the weekend, I managed to complete the install of the main line and upper staging track work. Then I installed the 6 x MP1 turnout machines and powered them up. Then track power was completed along the main line and all through staging.

The upper staging has the same design and number of tracks as the lower staging, however, it has longer holding tracks than the lower staging. The train length is limited by the passing sidings on the main line around the layout to 2 loco's and 18 x 50ft cars plus a caboose. The 50 car train I have in the pictures can be stored on either of 2 loop tracks in upper and lower staging for then the need for a nice long train arises.

Here are some pictures of a 50 car train rolling over the new main line.

Now to make a start on some passing sidings in the towns to then enable me to open the shed for the guys to come and sample the new D&H..

Stay tuned..

Peninsula Wall Install

Let there be a wall..

Over the last week I managed to paint the 6 sheets of 3mm MDF ready for the wall install.

Then over the weekend I managed to complete the centre peninsula wall install.
This now makes a huge difference in the look of the room.

Here are the progress pictures.

There is some touch up painting and fixing of one of the joints to be completed, however, all in all, I am pleased with the end result.

Now for more lights for the towns on the peninsula and then valance for the lights.

Stay tuned..

Upper deck build complete

Timber work almost done

This weekend I managed to complete the upper deck build.
This includes all the structure and ply deck from the top of the helix to the upper staging.

Included in this section is a lift out bridge across the door way and a 2% grade up to upper staging.

All the cork was laid in the upper staging section before I installed the ply main deck to make the installation of the track easier.

Here are some more pictures showing the room now.

Now to paint the lift out bridge and then get stuck into the centre peninsula backboard / dividing all.

Stay tuned for the next update.