tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40575156272030418602024-03-13T22:36:00.927-07:00BNSF Mendota SubdivisionDocumenting the Progress of My N Scale Layout, the Mendota Subdivision.Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-73567592120900894622013-08-15T07:33:00.000-07:002013-08-15T07:38:17.101-07:00Still here, still building...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Been over a year since the last post, although I've still been working on little parts of the layout, progress has been slow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-I have been building control panels with interlocking for each of the 3 towns. So far 2 are complete.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKeeRBpRZDsDGxD-lJ_GCLCtMQnYfwstA2oK0yVTCdQjzPYcAkk14X2BSy1IHt9CPjRXjk46l4V6N1egm-CNaQtI_L14_nxO4x3FwfequRNH0lQ9VKTCvD3t1FpE0oLS8TFQXYL_jNzA/s1600/Photo+10-03-13+18+44+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKeeRBpRZDsDGxD-lJ_GCLCtMQnYfwstA2oK0yVTCdQjzPYcAkk14X2BSy1IHt9CPjRXjk46l4V6N1egm-CNaQtI_L14_nxO4x3FwfequRNH0lQ9VKTCvD3t1FpE0oLS8TFQXYL_jNzA/s320/Photo+10-03-13+18+44+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panel on startup, CTI is not initialised so lights on the right hand side are dark</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panel Locked, note the red lights now lit up indicating panel is locked. (those point buttons won't work, all hooked up together via a common relay back to the tam valley singlets)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The key is turned, and the request button is pushed - the light starts flashing orange.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM88biv3nzcPeAq3hRR-XBssINqfJ3ilInVgs83NKcXWjXnZjhlMYbEflUzUqmGtsFRsjivmGJTtc6PUcGbSgZLmT46IVFkNvj95_P5nxgngagSY7paXwWhukDJ05Y-fEJVTJDa28-AA/s1600/Photo+29-03-13+20+22+50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM88biv3nzcPeAq3hRR-XBssINqfJ3ilInVgs83NKcXWjXnZjhlMYbEflUzUqmGtsFRsjivmGJTtc6PUcGbSgZLmT46IVFkNvj95_P5nxgngagSY7paXwWhukDJ05Y-fEJVTJDa28-AA/s320/Photo+29-03-13+20+22+50.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once approved by the dispatcher, the light turns green</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the key is returned to the lock position, points move to normal again, and the panel locks itself.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of notes about the panels... They use tam valley singlets, with push buttons hooked up to a common relay. there are two relays, one for the blue frame, and one for the yellow frame. yellow frame unlocks the points in the loop, whereas shunt mode (blue frame) puts blocks on the line, prohibiting traffic from moving through the area. useful for running around trains (which will be avoided as much as possible)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the key switch actually works, it is hooked up to a sensor used in conditional statements within CTI. Same goes for the push buttons on the RHS.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-I am rebuilding one of the helixes, due to problems with the track and the issues with height between helix modules.Am also motorising two points situated in the middle of the helix. Helix to be code 80 track to hopefully ease track laying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-The staging yard is built, no photos yet..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Have motorised all main line interfacing points, and am retrofitting certain crossovers that weren't using great quality servos. HXT900's from Hobbyking never skip a beat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Buying trains is the other pastime, picked up a cab forward, and a new run challenger (am addicted to sound decoders now!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-I have a plan of sorts to get the layout into a fully functional state by the end of the year, including the following projects..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finish Plano Control Panel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prep work for Mendota Yard (laying cork, finalising design, ordering components, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">install fascia to areas not requiring terraforming (still haven't decided on scenery designs yet)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carpeting layout room</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting scenery/ballasting/weathering track</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Signal installation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">misc rolling stock maintenance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-am also doing a bit of a side project, 'Cubington' - the layout designed to fit into an office cubicle (English themed):</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will try and not make the next post a year from now, so until next time..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oh yeah, the name has changed to - now using names from the Chicago area, and focusing on the Mendota subdivision :)</span></div>
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Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-62820733195900045522012-07-08T04:18:00.000-07:002012-07-08T04:18:26.202-07:004 Months since the last post.. Whats been happening?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good Question!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a minor benchwork change down the centre of the layout which has given me more storage space underneath the layout. I replaced the centre legs with horizontal hardwood ply bracers, which gives me a clean run down the centre:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consequently I had to move the detection system above the layout, which has now been fully wired and tested:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSD4HqP6VMt7RyKNuXjapHLBRsom1HdPgujTejIAHHWzej-zzm_vnvFAG8pSgYaeXzzx76tU4uP5yqJnX3GcB7Dqa2jccaNRz-sMHdbIcZEBku0pVtCZvFaYo3ih-gnFlxB1bCLjTPYM/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSD4HqP6VMt7RyKNuXjapHLBRsom1HdPgujTejIAHHWzej-zzm_vnvFAG8pSgYaeXzzx76tU4uP5yqJnX3GcB7Dqa2jccaNRz-sMHdbIcZEBku0pVtCZvFaYo3ih-gnFlxB1bCLjTPYM/s400/IMG_0040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used ethernet cable to wire the local detector circuits (which are installed adjacent to their blocks on the layout) back to the central detector circuits show above. There are approx 31 sensors on the layout, which has left me around 10 spare. These will be used for local control panels to detect input by the crews (eg. turning a key in a lock to request control to the switches)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have also mounted the laptop underneath the workbench which gives a lot more space for the network controller to work in. its a fairly simple mount which also allows me to easily remove the laptop if required.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst building this I went and bought a VESA mount on ebay which I have mounted to the brick wall behind the laptop. This allows me to attach the 22" Samsung monitor to the wall which is part of the dual-screen system for the network controller. The panel is designed to fit on a 1920x1080 display, which leaves the lower monitor for a train graph, which can be updated in real time.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDk-GiutfZHDpZMe-nEhoJL6E4m1zvjXWb96hiLOAgQlUia6Y1STIxoJ4ehcfvoBJn12S4-Q8lin5pWtZaCJSbGudT5xNObS2lecMkECngSSk2hoB58oiMDtCnv082pmsZmzpUzyYv0M/s1600/Grpah.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDk-GiutfZHDpZMe-nEhoJL6E4m1zvjXWb96hiLOAgQlUia6Y1STIxoJ4ehcfvoBJn12S4-Q8lin5pWtZaCJSbGudT5xNObS2lecMkECngSSk2hoB58oiMDtCnv082pmsZmzpUzyYv0M/s320/Grpah.tiff" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The In-Progress train graph</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed Network Controller's desk, with Wireless KB and Mouse</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along with these projects I have also completed the track work in all towns, which leaves me with Staging and Mendota (frmr. Steino) Yard to finish:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi889vkWDuUZlIMbatcaFlKajSxcXm04fzdYZW-twGN_ebGZzDmNtjW02wXqaku6U6zIQQypiUD-Jgou5lBDmfaStZYEdEY75_ugZ432AYhxLWMXmS9pPRqBCT2lfWK1ZxU8Qm6-W-J9PI/s1600/Photo+8-07-12+20+51+50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi889vkWDuUZlIMbatcaFlKajSxcXm04fzdYZW-twGN_ebGZzDmNtjW02wXqaku6U6zIQQypiUD-Jgou5lBDmfaStZYEdEY75_ugZ432AYhxLWMXmS9pPRqBCT2lfWK1ZxU8Qm6-W-J9PI/s320/Photo+8-07-12+20+51+50.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meriden (Former Meridian) with extended width to support a bit more scenery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV8kyJE1pKz48Z4v-7WeE0jW47JnQGikE03-AbUUOKgOtCWAF5gEymZhRpkusCrPMnnqNk3Mzx4ZkV3C0aKFELn4hO9FgTrRyuFlrr-YnJstNDLdfUCrBWfZlB0bPkaano0rmGDEMKPg/s1600/Photo+8-07-12+20+51+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV8kyJE1pKz48Z4v-7WeE0jW47JnQGikE03-AbUUOKgOtCWAF5gEymZhRpkusCrPMnnqNk3Mzx4ZkV3C0aKFELn4hO9FgTrRyuFlrr-YnJstNDLdfUCrBWfZlB0bPkaano0rmGDEMKPg/s320/Photo+8-07-12+20+51+37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earlville (Formerly Spencer) again with extended width baseboards</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJUlT8jXKol0tWSFxFvq0QDPuiCxQYwjh2lkgkaD5umnfR6jJVeZsYboGGrdrlCz2IQjSuwwVI5Ube92wzvOrHTV6UDa_MmaciJa5jbRcakpNB99h1XnLLsdJC5GMry93QzKUaWP0df4/s1600/Photo+8-07-12+20+52+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJUlT8jXKol0tWSFxFvq0QDPuiCxQYwjh2lkgkaD5umnfR6jJVeZsYboGGrdrlCz2IQjSuwwVI5Ube92wzvOrHTV6UDa_MmaciJa5jbRcakpNB99h1XnLLsdJC5GMry93QzKUaWP0df4/s320/Photo+8-07-12+20+52+09.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plano Branch (formerly Theta Branch)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaNIR2i8oFYFY_K0rQUv447WEKZDEog7lYuEBvCek4jbRgnt4TYXqyYp7WJcMQJxPyTjjtG-oAn7FJj1XcVbPNaWVkt_3YoafkER3vnw-pfKaqghSaSIImJX-5cyGQ0gNhBhbyQHyNMc/s1600/Photo+8-07-12+20+52+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaNIR2i8oFYFY_K0rQUv447WEKZDEog7lYuEBvCek4jbRgnt4TYXqyYp7WJcMQJxPyTjjtG-oAn7FJj1XcVbPNaWVkt_3YoafkER3vnw-pfKaqghSaSIImJX-5cyGQ0gNhBhbyQHyNMc/s320/Photo+8-07-12+20+52+33.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plano (Formerly Theta) with new branch line loop and third track that leads to Plano Branch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbhRWqc4juH_YuTRFpdqEj3xQtUbstg0Exte2-AeSAMyDla1pzEDta8WGvoagi1Hk-z8gkxK4Q0Rpi-AWCPf8R65cJA5MNVFzBhyphenhyphenTQtgLQVp9EWd7P3COz8f0lh9pOIZy9PulZUFFQxM/s1600/Photo+8-07-12+20+52+47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbhRWqc4juH_YuTRFpdqEj3xQtUbstg0Exte2-AeSAMyDla1pzEDta8WGvoagi1Hk-z8gkxK4Q0Rpi-AWCPf8R65cJA5MNVFzBhyphenhyphenTQtgLQVp9EWd7P3COz8f0lh9pOIZy9PulZUFFQxM/s320/Photo+8-07-12+20+52+47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other End of Plano, with 2 Industry roads</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOoZIWPqupo1WKyBI2FcVVIUBl0elZs0MmTMzE3MTUZmHIgQsYsNqI9AuvXo_I-hosSiimpTyw1xgL6qYR8wXpxk3OQYssjRjNzdYbpiUhL7oWO1Ok3Svd3JQasEbDxY4kdGLPVvsDyc/s1600/Photo+8-07-12+20+53+00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOoZIWPqupo1WKyBI2FcVVIUBl0elZs0MmTMzE3MTUZmHIgQsYsNqI9AuvXo_I-hosSiimpTyw1xgL6qYR8wXpxk3OQYssjRjNzdYbpiUhL7oWO1Ok3Svd3JQasEbDxY4kdGLPVvsDyc/s320/Photo+8-07-12+20+53+00.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extended Width Staging with dead auto racks </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next step is to complete staging, and finish with Mendota Yard. Once these are completed, the next step will be to terraform the scenery and install the facia on each level.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_735593322"></span><span id="goog_735593323"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So thats it for now, there are a couple of more things on the list for the future so will try and keep the site updated..</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-65289931078851870162012-03-18T04:05:00.000-07:002012-03-18T04:13:49.012-07:00TCS M4 Decoder install in a Budd Car.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have managed to squeeze a TCS M4 into a Kato Budd car, underneath the floor. This keeps the interior unobstructed whilst allowing excellent running qualities of TCS decoders in this model.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcoFhb8shcAOo3ndfZVKF8BCAdkQSd0Kzl_vkFtrrd0vzZLZ0criwFMhXqrntbKV0jqW9lA9DdAY2fVXkTHBXQChdcYyfSTMhA6356enHpo28FYTqj58AP4TuLJsZUAOO29_ijA9MHeM/s1600/IMG_0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcoFhb8shcAOo3ndfZVKF8BCAdkQSd0Kzl_vkFtrrd0vzZLZ0criwFMhXqrntbKV0jqW9lA9DdAY2fVXkTHBXQChdcYyfSTMhA6356enHpo28FYTqj58AP4TuLJsZUAOO29_ijA9MHeM/s320/IMG_0305.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The M4 installed in the floor well of the Budd Car. The chassis was milled to allow 4 decoder wires (for lighting) to pass into the front of the car, where there is more room.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlsHs8ijZpoeXasaPufJWbcVnul3NYpWS5mA-NkkTBwHB4AdLwwichGEkNhjDO_ikwoDalkI4IA5YdymbSspmepxh6IasrEzrb56iQOUBBLo5Rmei4nxtHPZQgaBW6bTGh5Rvwvv_lqQ/s1600/IMG_0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlsHs8ijZpoeXasaPufJWbcVnul3NYpWS5mA-NkkTBwHB4AdLwwichGEkNhjDO_ikwoDalkI4IA5YdymbSspmepxh6IasrEzrb56iQOUBBLo5Rmei4nxtHPZQgaBW6bTGh5Rvwvv_lqQ/s320/IMG_0305.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The motor decoder wires and decoder power wires have been soldered in discreetly below floor level.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUEzdXBE5gH-EMf11h7JoftPm00EHmcW5sWnuSxZ6fdt7-h9dMaeh9DeiDGlGDGlwUfb5kguFUR7Nv_vjv_rYXQhHlvr3r0Y5pk8t6RH2SnX-qDYQ6jOJvU7wza4Re5ULE7UOStPim-4/s1600/IMG_0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUEzdXBE5gH-EMf11h7JoftPm00EHmcW5sWnuSxZ6fdt7-h9dMaeh9DeiDGlGDGlwUfb5kguFUR7Nv_vjv_rYXQhHlvr3r0Y5pk8t6RH2SnX-qDYQ6jOJvU7wza4Re5ULE7UOStPim-4/s320/IMG_0303.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The floor installed on top. The plastic spacer that was once underneath the floor was cut up and used to fill this hole so it cannot be seen from outside the car.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE_BmzmLHQxrsbwkvtKLhiQAwAeMJmqK7k_QwN9yxfXc_Pp7kDpQSLGOdYftxRn_-MSpfrMs1lERTOX9VpupSsbGu_bPOjjLMzrzjyKH93OU8Uu-lY9nOGk9yPcTtx1GI85dG3iy7D3s/s1600/IMG_0306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE_BmzmLHQxrsbwkvtKLhiQAwAeMJmqK7k_QwN9yxfXc_Pp7kDpQSLGOdYftxRn_-MSpfrMs1lERTOX9VpupSsbGu_bPOjjLMzrzjyKH93OU8Uu-lY9nOGk9yPcTtx1GI85dG3iy7D3s/s320/IMG_0306.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The strip LED mounted in the roof of the car. Using two 1k5 resistors brings the light down to an acceptable brightness. The strip LEDs are from a supplier on eBay, at ~$15.00 for a 5m roll they are good value and are useful in all manner of projects.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgss2RD1a5j8rcYWHEvskZKrbRHydFNzVKefSTT8pAT_s_4UcBFV7SR6ocC7Ra0PYnUQgLM_vnUt2ywIGgmtCeR2NAXhUskIw1aM66iKY0tF5jMxdaB3iCme4cI-N2qHK3hjKbQDUcpP00/s1600/IMG_0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgss2RD1a5j8rcYWHEvskZKrbRHydFNzVKefSTT8pAT_s_4UcBFV7SR6ocC7Ra0PYnUQgLM_vnUt2ywIGgmtCeR2NAXhUskIw1aM66iKY0tF5jMxdaB3iCme4cI-N2qHK3hjKbQDUcpP00/s320/IMG_0302.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The car with the plastic spacer installed above the decoder,</span><br />
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<br />Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-35044576285624531892012-03-18T03:51:00.001-07:002012-03-18T04:14:14.031-07:00Progress Report 18/03/2012<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So its been 3 months since I last posted on here- just letting you know the layout is alive and well, and now has a complete circuit of track which I have been test running and tweaking as required.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing much visually has changed, however there are several projects underway, apart from the completion of the mainline.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-The rear workbench has been completed:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cQzMNPNTSHwbUE7caYYj8wHBFur0ho6rPfvAwyM0h3GW3GA8Bpp636iLfR_KpIGldSRJ7udI7CDZfmmVG_xyf-iq9JbUR80iz0-jyuY5slq9nf12ocngiZkGsLSpQhAJoZ8QYu3hVG8/s1600/Photo+27-12-11+18+12+46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cQzMNPNTSHwbUE7caYYj8wHBFur0ho6rPfvAwyM0h3GW3GA8Bpp636iLfR_KpIGldSRJ7udI7CDZfmmVG_xyf-iq9JbUR80iz0-jyuY5slq9nf12ocngiZkGsLSpQhAJoZ8QYu3hVG8/s400/Photo+27-12-11+18+12+46.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Completed workbench with LED strip lighting on the bottom shelf. The laptop on the end wall is where the CTC Panel will be located.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-All mainline points now have Tam Valley controllers attached, and have been configured on CTI Electronics' CTC Panel. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-The initial CTI order has been placed, which will allow block detection and train routing without signals. I am in the process of building the block detectors, using a schematic off the Marbelup Valley Railway (http://members.iinet.net.au/~judithandrichard/marbelup/). The owner Richard has been able to assist me with this schematic as he also uses CTI on his layout, and has this circuit schematic on his site.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWthGIh5jY0yDEJoAa2WlUZ_sqkIO_EPOPRr7F9HWuDcUVAdjGBvMWeBWIT2iQE1HRDp4Rnb8J08xbihzukE5viEZtlPhdR8QT1pkQTEErf3IST9AY5Xh6iQ9yurJMShvui7RmW750IQ/s1600/Photo+8-02-12+23+41+40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWthGIh5jY0yDEJoAa2WlUZ_sqkIO_EPOPRr7F9HWuDcUVAdjGBvMWeBWIT2iQE1HRDp4Rnb8J08xbihzukE5viEZtlPhdR8QT1pkQTEErf3IST9AY5Xh6iQ9yurJMShvui7RmW750IQ/s320/Photo+8-02-12+23+41+40.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The prototype detector</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn19ZexMu3Cq1Hm0YOnB5am5iaCXK-sg1q9KNGxQht8ah5wiKSMLDcjOyomnGVxuQSRKPA_NSx2tt1Zh3ESbNNMN6zzzWuUhJBOfbTspD2aogDRwWmKRY0yGNLyhzPEXxBjwK8_ei6NjI/s1600/Photo+8-02-12+23+43+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn19ZexMu3Cq1Hm0YOnB5am5iaCXK-sg1q9KNGxQht8ah5wiKSMLDcjOyomnGVxuQSRKPA_NSx2tt1Zh3ESbNNMN6zzzWuUhJBOfbTspD2aogDRwWmKRY0yGNLyhzPEXxBjwK8_ei6NjI/s320/Photo+8-02-12+23+43+06.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same detector with the LED lit up, indicating that the track is occupied.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-This weekend I have begun building the initial mainline track sensors - there are 31 to complete, and after ordering all of the parts the cost per sensor is $7.00. It is taking longer than I anticipated, however the commissioning of the CTI system will be done in stages to ensure reliability. So far 4 detectors have been installed, and I am using ethernet cable to feed the signals back to the centre of the layout where all CTI modules will be installed. This allows me to send back 4 signals per cable.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPhZSQ7Z83ajs6ZOgv0UhSdtx78LWtiWH28jrzEGZWxJMH87ueIaSMTZTKoK13hz9K7HiGaNLN9QJgUMIG3vzjeBuDriOeAKuuuNZrcL-iGdZWjyMoX244R98kBSMO3OReRw6elJvMsI/s1600/IMG_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPhZSQ7Z83ajs6ZOgv0UhSdtx78LWtiWH28jrzEGZWxJMH87ueIaSMTZTKoK13hz9K7HiGaNLN9QJgUMIG3vzjeBuDriOeAKuuuNZrcL-iGdZWjyMoX244R98kBSMO3OReRw6elJvMsI/s400/IMG_0301.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two detectors installed at staging.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-By May 2012, all non-mainline track except the main yard should be complete. This will hopefully include all other block detection and point motor controllers.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also been building my loco and rolling stock collection. I have purchased 3 passenger trains for running during operations:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Kato Metra Set (Seen here with Strip LED interior lighting, and an extra intermediate coach)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Kato Amtrak commuter set, with a Con-Cor baggage car (could not find stock of the Phase IV Kato model anywhere)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfjriAeiNilCr8oec6lpwiTECX66O76JuNd_FCc7nLS8IaRov0-e_AjygUcC1WDHe-QckeWvttQLhjogzABLp5DN2iBWiP3AmgzdoyBa8OkwCwpxwa7CF5uBdS_QwVJQd6sqMrGs1FSM/s1600/Photo+5-03-12+18+51+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfjriAeiNilCr8oec6lpwiTECX66O76JuNd_FCc7nLS8IaRov0-e_AjygUcC1WDHe-QckeWvttQLhjogzABLp5DN2iBWiP3AmgzdoyBa8OkwCwpxwa7CF5uBdS_QwVJQd6sqMrGs1FSM/s400/Photo+5-03-12+18+51+33.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Coaches are using Strip LED's with 1k resistors.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtB8oBxM6SyRDNQX1ocMlBDH7MRHN9ENca_Ixt7WaX89XdtaFuE-vC6FjHi08YE940GHzZvVxYV4V6_3am_ZO08AahIwNO1w_ZP96eNQxOLXS0eTQpdpU1QptCx3I6juXyVTYlv5qcpU/s1600/Photo+5-03-12+18+51+43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtB8oBxM6SyRDNQX1ocMlBDH7MRHN9ENca_Ixt7WaX89XdtaFuE-vC6FjHi08YE940GHzZvVxYV4V6_3am_ZO08AahIwNO1w_ZP96eNQxOLXS0eTQpdpU1QptCx3I6juXyVTYlv5qcpU/s400/Photo+5-03-12+18+51+43.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The baggage car required pickups, whereas all Kato stock has Phosphor-Bronze strips for Kato's own proprietary lighting kit.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Kato Budd Car. This car has been fitted with a TCS M4 decoder and interior lighting. I have tried to install the decoder below eye level, which proved to a be a delicate but worthwhile effort. I still have another car to do, as they will run as a two car set along the branch line.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will attach some more install pics in another post.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have also purchased a couple of unit trains, thereby completing the traffic required for the layout except manifest and mixed freights. I am in the process of commissioning the autorack train, and have a spine car and reefer train on order. To haul these trains I have recently taken delivery of 10 Kato BNSF locos, which I am in the process of fitting with decoders and Micro-Trains couplers.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I have quite a few projects that will keep me busy over the next few months, with the hope of starting to terraform some scenery in July. will see how we go.</span><br />
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<br />Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-43686561166362227732011-12-22T16:43:00.000-08:002011-12-22T16:43:54.059-08:00Progress Notes - 23/12/11<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a quick note on what has been happening on the subdivision of late, and what is planned for the next couple of weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-The LHS helix is currently being constructed - 1 layer down, 7 to go. Have alloted myself a day over xmas to finish the build, completing the main loop of track.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Point motors for 5 locations have been installed. More mainline points will come online in the coming months. They have also been linked to the CTI signalling system over the DCC bus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Metal wheels have been fitted to all freight cars, still have around 280 axles so they should last for a while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Future projects:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> -Purchase CTI detection boards and base system</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> -Build Mainline detection circuits</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> -fit resistor wheelsets to current rollingstock.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Build new workbench at rear of layout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">more articles to come soon.</span></div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-15938269881975063392011-11-06T05:41:00.000-08:002011-11-12T21:52:52.081-08:00Thoughts on Operations<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As mentioned in a previous post, I think I am now to a point where I can start to think about planning my operating sessions. Granted I designed the layout for operations, and I have been continually trying to design my layout around this concept, and now I think i can start to bring the two together.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">The 'Points' of the layout, heading east from staging:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Staging (WB Trains)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Theta East</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Theta (Branch)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Spencer</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Meridian</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Steino Yard</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Staging (EB Trains)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Staging</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Staging here does not have an EB or WB suffix, as here is how it looks on the signalling panel:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ig0Aa6sO8DEsABZmdq_jf5yTyeOdCCxd0Z59bdHuh55eBTPb63G4xqydLQpw_FWw8mA6Q6HusS_0FFIAO8XkJTqlGK80jAkfuqcC8c2lXFzPnLPU8EfwLSdLBCSSGZRGn8BA0BMswg8/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="55" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ig0Aa6sO8DEsABZmdq_jf5yTyeOdCCxd0Z59bdHuh55eBTPb63G4xqydLQpw_FWw8mA6Q6HusS_0FFIAO8XkJTqlGK80jAkfuqcC8c2lXFzPnLPU8EfwLSdLBCSSGZRGn8BA0BMswg8/s400/Capture.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here the 'end to end' staging is shown, so it is possible to run a through train, or run a train from WB Trains staging, across the layout, and back to EB Staging. Note the Signal Numbers, used for reporting and helping me find each signal within the ctc systems source code.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The layout is a continuous run model, however the staging works on an end to end basis. I am planning to modify the yard to allow locos to run around their trains, thereby eliminating the use of hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So first up we have staging. Where trains come and go from, and where they are assembled/broken down between sessions.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Theta East</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></strong> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">As we head east, we reach the first stop, <em>Theta East.<strong> </strong></em>Here there is one industry at one end of the loop, and a branch line diverging at the other end. Lets head up the branch (shown above as dark, non-signalled territory).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The branch contains 3 industries, two lineside on the way to Theta, and one at Theta. Returning, we come back onto the main at Theta, and head back onto the main. because of the direction of the main, you return to Steino Yard through staging. Continuing East, you head along the main through Theta Loop (used for crossing large unit trains) towards Spencer.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Spencer</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Arriving at Spencer, the track diverges into a main and loop, and continues towards the Helix on the left hand side of the layout. It is called 'mid helix' as if you were to put each part of the layout end to end, this helix would be in the middle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As you can see from the diagram each industry track is shown, however it is black indicating it is not protected by RVD (Rail Vehicle Detection) signalling. Each crossover with an 'M' indicates it is unlocked by the dispatcher.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In Spencer there are 3 Industries, as well as a small loop for pushing cuts of cars into crossovers that are against the direction of travel. This track could actually be used as an industry as well, for this exercise I will use it as an industry, bringing Spencer's Industries to 4.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Upon leaving Spencer, we hit Notch 8 for the long 2.5% grade towards Meridian, on the upper level.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Meridian</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arriving off the helix we go back to single line for a brief period, before arriving at Meridian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">At Meridian, there are two industries, one at each end of the loop. they may be expaneded upon, since there are only two inputs I'd like to make the switching a little interesting. For this exercise, there are two industries only.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Steino Yard</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Onwards from Meridian, we hit the Steino Triangle - Gateway to Steino Yard:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside the Triangle is yard working, so it is not included on the CTC Panel. Instead, here is the current Iteration of the yard, with the industries highlighted in yellow:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj_KEK36n_KBkls3mG35wlYQNo-yUcNhcakToCnCN4PRv2CZFR4POq8OhGRbpRcHZzFMRIJjgYQMKzDsb96nuGnNnwI_Akzx8Pviw-EbXLPizqonEo21YqBV9JrzjGyrO4XTpyZUn5ag/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj_KEK36n_KBkls3mG35wlYQNo-yUcNhcakToCnCN4PRv2CZFR4POq8OhGRbpRcHZzFMRIJjgYQMKzDsb96nuGnNnwI_Akzx8Pviw-EbXLPizqonEo21YqBV9JrzjGyrO4XTpyZUn5ag/s640/Capture.PNG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as you can see here, Steino Yard has 5 Industries, as well as a passenger terminus on the LHS, and freght marshalling facilities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below are the counts for each town and their Respective Industries:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Theta East <em>1</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Theta (Branch) <em>3</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Spencer <em>4</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Meridian<em> 2</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Steino Yard <em>5</em></span></strong><br /><br /><strong>Total: <em>15</em></strong><br /><br />15 Industries are being served on this subdivision. Now I know the 'points' of the layout, I can now define how the freight flows. Its fairly simple, 98% of traffic runs like this:<br /><br /><strong><em>Staging -> Steino Yard -> {Town} -> Steino -> Steino Yard -> Staging.</em></strong><br /><br />A simple path really, I'll try and explain it below..<br /><br />-An EB Train of Empties leaves staging bound for Steino Yard. Upon arrival at Steino Yard, it picks up a full rake of cars that are ready to depart, and continues to EB Staging. (You'll see where this 'full rake' came from later)<br /><br />-Meanwhile at Steino Yard, the shunter is busy arranging the cuts from the EB Arrival into EB and WB local turns. The EB train in this scenario will do the following:</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Theta East</span></strong></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Depart Steino Yard towards Summit and Staging.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arrive Theta, Switch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arrive Spencer, Switch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Return to Steino Yard.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst the WB Train will:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Depart Steino Yard towards Meridian</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arrive Meridian, Switch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arrive Spencer, Switch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continue Around via staging through road to Steino Yard.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is still a train to go out.. The Theta Branch Turn. Rather than attaching it to another train, it is its own job, since it runs on one side of the layout only. The Theta Branch Turn will:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Depart Steino Yard towards Staging</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arrive Theta, continue down branch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Switch Theta</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Switch Lineside Industries outside of Theta.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so we know the trains now go to their lineside industries, and each job picks up however many cars they need to drop off. This is done by assiging cuts of cars to a waybill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So.. While the local turns are out, the Steino Yard switcher is preparing to switch each arrival train's cars into industries located within Steino. This is the start of the <strong><em>Steino -> Steino Yard </em></strong>process. As the local turns return to the yard, they either switch the cars themselves into Steino Industries, or the shunter does it for them. (depending on how busy each operator is) As they shunt the cars in, they take cars out, which are then formed into trains at Steino Yard to head to staging.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mentality behind this is that goods coming from the lineside industries produce 'raw' goods, and the industries at Steino move them to refined goods. It adds another link in the chain to keep freight flowing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the full train/s is/are formed ready to depart to staging, an empty train coming from staging will arrive. this starts the cycle over again, When this cycle begins is anyones guess, however it is likely one operating session will see this cycle go run through once. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other traffic (The dispatchers challenge)</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having these three freight trains on the line at any one time will most likely be a rare occurence, therefore preventing the looping of the cycle described above during an operating session.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other traffic will include:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Unit Intermodal/Coal/Refrigerated goods trains (the latter coming into Steino to be loaeded, hence the balloon loop around the outside)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Local Passenger trains</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These two extra trains will add interest and give drivers something to run whilst things are quiet. It also provides a challenge for the dispatcher to co-ordinate these two types of traffic with the local freights, as the unit trains will not fit in certain loops, and the passenger trains have priority over others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this decribes in some way how I'd like to run the layout - since this is entirely theoretical it may be subject to change, but I won't know until I run it in practice. Until then, it will be an idea that I will base my test operating sessions on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Aaron.</span>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-43386435041895402232011-11-06T04:23:00.000-08:002011-11-06T04:23:23.689-08:00Progress - 06/11/2011<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So its been a while since I've posted, however I have some updates!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">1. The first Helix is complete.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As you can see below, the helix has been installed onto the layout. It took about 8 hours all up to install the table, lay the helix, and on each layer, lay the track as a continuous curve, and solder droppers for power. Many thanks to Rodney from Ashlin Designs for the custom built helix, easy to set up and very sturdy.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-I5b3If1upK3U-griH2rOQibtpnV6xRYh5d6re5dNao4b4VbTIqcuzY2Of_v5NQ5U_uZbQehs-5A0siW_dgConGKNMXbNEYUfcM-E5mGsTSddsT-SEpzPsTNltyoLiGqH9vcxUFlU4M/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-I5b3If1upK3U-griH2rOQibtpnV6xRYh5d6re5dNao4b4VbTIqcuzY2Of_v5NQ5U_uZbQehs-5A0siW_dgConGKNMXbNEYUfcM-E5mGsTSddsT-SEpzPsTNltyoLiGqH9vcxUFlU4M/s400/IMG_0185.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Helix will join the two levels together. 2.5% Grade, 12.75" and 14" radius curves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsZVo4HXKmFbpgX_NRmADJRgnDRx-9vVgLw2LducIKmAghZoEA1XsyFvwN516fdLka1URf0vIMP-g0sK3bg11ILQS3NMbnlA9PAsnO9QzUvcaofYziSYv9rkdIw9IXQYf2gEenGCEzdE/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsZVo4HXKmFbpgX_NRmADJRgnDRx-9vVgLw2LducIKmAghZoEA1XsyFvwN516fdLka1URf0vIMP-g0sK3bg11ILQS3NMbnlA9PAsnO9QzUvcaofYziSYv9rkdIw9IXQYf2gEenGCEzdE/s400/IMG_0189.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view with two trains stabled on the tracks (no locos)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDldfjA-W3F8cN_qQ9zLIEG3E3ZCIzq89rQj0hEyD7FWLv9kd0zmSKs0YrviFrbYGbKINYkW2leWkgBihuK0LQkO7tX34yojXJEjg45U4hSEpMirEa59EdXjcfhyphenhyphenYWC7R8lv11ACai0_8/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDldfjA-W3F8cN_qQ9zLIEG3E3ZCIzq89rQj0hEyD7FWLv9kd0zmSKs0YrviFrbYGbKINYkW2leWkgBihuK0LQkO7tX34yojXJEjg45U4hSEpMirEa59EdXjcfhyphenhyphenYWC7R8lv11ACai0_8/s400/IMG_0190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better view of the current end-of-line.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_VxVFtpx7pN7WzOXUXcq-AazXixL-C8LuS4AxspfUHH6bzNeCNUcN-GdDJ92UynLx1z3Yc-jb0o-6OfeCngwhDR3SGbinXm4jWbXVfRZXW1lwaHa2t23fZQgnrW3Lq8ru6fjKoBvmR4/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_VxVFtpx7pN7WzOXUXcq-AazXixL-C8LuS4AxspfUHH6bzNeCNUcN-GdDJ92UynLx1z3Yc-jb0o-6OfeCngwhDR3SGbinXm4jWbXVfRZXW1lwaHa2t23fZQgnrW3Lq8ru6fjKoBvmR4/s400/IMG_0186.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view into the helix.</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. The Upper level roadbed is complete.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As you can see below, the roadbed not extends through the whole layout on the upper level. Since it skips the peninsula (which will contain the yard) it is a simple 'U' Shape around. I managed to finish the spline in 2-3 days, with still plenty to spare.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0q9utkuKGb-CvYviyHkvf3THDShb0dkmwaV-_6CIGYrh4tCfUW7-aEZ63MSw0KuSGnuI3iDCcXhg9uHZ8N-q1nH36mL-a7vzxp13fRhGI9fdUCf62oMLM0g6_rFQUdQUqswGNuJ0ZzA/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0q9utkuKGb-CvYviyHkvf3THDShb0dkmwaV-_6CIGYrh4tCfUW7-aEZ63MSw0KuSGnuI3iDCcXhg9uHZ8N-q1nH36mL-a7vzxp13fRhGI9fdUCf62oMLM0g6_rFQUdQUqswGNuJ0ZzA/s400/IMG_0188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left Hand Side, future site of 'Meridian' with the loop and main line present for the helix.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi146pBR6ZqRxfNTqsNTpXghS7Z0o7QZ8Az1NDl7XeeZgA4Hzam0VD-DfyJLiz2pA9sEsP7n80_8qPIExM0CTEKqUzuJE2idvl6fAf6GTvfRM3Hbw8eIJZeFkZ2ikogaI844IEKcaUxN_U/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi146pBR6ZqRxfNTqsNTpXghS7Z0o7QZ8Az1NDl7XeeZgA4Hzam0VD-DfyJLiz2pA9sEsP7n80_8qPIExM0CTEKqUzuJE2idvl6fAf6GTvfRM3Hbw8eIJZeFkZ2ikogaI844IEKcaUxN_U/s400/IMG_0191.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm_UWOVeO5T6L6CXQkyOZ5yhBwYbOjtavTBYQDoD2YHBtODwf0IWTFcuJA9QSq1HTNCy3uLV6UpG5ABDEjEYF8EEKonUumZzVPtrkR-o5B3WvOdm3VdnZlWd-FpInSQuFIqv6MQU9f4Y/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm_UWOVeO5T6L6CXQkyOZ5yhBwYbOjtavTBYQDoD2YHBtODwf0IWTFcuJA9QSq1HTNCy3uLV6UpG5ABDEjEYF8EEKonUumZzVPtrkR-o5B3WvOdm3VdnZlWd-FpInSQuFIqv6MQU9f4Y/s400/IMG_0192.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The future site of 'Steino Triangle' - The entrance to Steino Yard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4mXp_lYbZ1zl13wrQ6EAYOoD62zPyn9veQZj9tZBcABVQlcxcRw6Hqdlmf8MtsqfR7wnY0BRtQebBIUxb-KsIbS2j_4aFeptOY2K56PJ4ixTCpF3Na7DyBl9Nci6pHVXPpoykad7nms/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4mXp_lYbZ1zl13wrQ6EAYOoD62zPyn9veQZj9tZBcABVQlcxcRw6Hqdlmf8MtsqfR7wnY0BRtQebBIUxb-KsIbS2j_4aFeptOY2K56PJ4ixTCpF3Na7DyBl9Nci6pHVXPpoykad7nms/s400/IMG_0193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view showing both the upper and lower levels, with my current project of soldering sub-buses evidenced on the lower level.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtY_zh3a1loFW1txfJNm7BfHNT1BxFaJJ1hCnyVWz8RiYStQ2HbgGvjcScEEzA_eeAvqbjKY1O5nB86EKVAn2wwiBkqqsuoyfsXdr6vmAf_KOv4mE8E9vizoDsjrG7InA33d2fYoKk-Y0/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtY_zh3a1loFW1txfJNm7BfHNT1BxFaJJ1hCnyVWz8RiYStQ2HbgGvjcScEEzA_eeAvqbjKY1O5nB86EKVAn2wwiBkqqsuoyfsXdr6vmAf_KOv4mE8E9vizoDsjrG7InA33d2fYoKk-Y0/s400/IMG_0194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back onto the helix.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>3. The plans for the next couple of months.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">By Christmas time, I would like to have a complete track around. That is going to be a hard ask, since I have to:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Order another helix, install and lay track on said helix.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Lay track along the upper level</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Have one point hooked into the DCC Bus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Still, nothing like a challenge!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">To keep myself motivated I'm also shortly going to purchase two locos to test the track with. A Kato SD70ACe, (UP Colours) and an Atlas GP38-2 (BNSF)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Why these two?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-One is a 6 axle and one is a 4 axle loco. This will help me test the pointwork and trackage that I have currently laid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Different brands have different characteristics, so this will let me see how they behave on the helix and along the other parts of the line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eventually they will be utilised for the unit coal train and local industry jobs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>4. This yard bugs me.</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47Ud7CUWuEXpVF84XFA3Nu6Z4RO8UbIkYqvuHd1UPsF9CksLBiM8cCkmbv8LlRPUbp5KgS7xNOThjzTPwt4Q_OUJmQX-h_Pwdros9RMzone6JUUtpmnsa1j0RDnCnK4Dvxwj8zsIgoGA/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47Ud7CUWuEXpVF84XFA3Nu6Z4RO8UbIkYqvuHd1UPsF9CksLBiM8cCkmbv8LlRPUbp5KgS7xNOThjzTPwt4Q_OUJmQX-h_Pwdros9RMzone6JUUtpmnsa1j0RDnCnK4Dvxwj8zsIgoGA/s400/Capture.PNG" width="166" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is this yard too complex? Am I trying to compress too much track into the limited space I have? I'm starting to think so. Looking back at my previous design iterations for this yard, I can see how it has had a habit of filling out the empty space I have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The yard in an operations context has a simple purpose:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Trains come in with empties from staging.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-empties are arranged into industry turns for local trains to pickup.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-local trains come in from linside industries, drop off 'raw' goods which are then switched to industries within the yard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-'refined' goods (cars picked up from industries within the yard) are switched into outgoing trains. they are then picked up and taken to staging - the car cycle is complete.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-A unit reefer train swings around the outside of the yard - to make things interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm thinking of keeping the left hand side the way it its, but replace the haphazard tracks in the lower right with a ladder for a large grain/hopper goods complex.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The right hand side will become a lot simpler, the two passenger arrival roads will become a passenger arrival and loop road only, to allow freight trains to use the loop. the freighlt loop and industries will disappear to be replaced with a slightly modified layout of the 'timesaver' shunting puzzle. a lot simpler trackage, and a bit more room to put in some scenic items. since I will be battling a low depth-of-field on the rest of the layout, its probably a good idea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Whilst writing this I did a quick mockup - I'm liking it this way a lot more already.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc0b5QPs4bmnads-n_g6Rkc-4h6zMTp6V3BGWndcGwmauACjmdukwmBEBABcc9lvYG7r-dsfVF33L4ULQd0huZUodDu0lBSKQc6xYNDpfyVy1bRaslFE31NhgZq1y-CflxU7eWzVnzsk/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc0b5QPs4bmnads-n_g6Rkc-4h6zMTp6V3BGWndcGwmauACjmdukwmBEBABcc9lvYG7r-dsfVF33L4ULQd0huZUodDu0lBSKQc6xYNDpfyVy1bRaslFE31NhgZq1y-CflxU7eWzVnzsk/s400/Capture.PNG" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A modified design, with changed track each side, and expanded shunting necks.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm going to write another article shortly outlining my current idea for operations on the layout, after visiting a couple of layouts I have gotten some ideas on how to forward cars and I think i am now at a point where I can begin to start a theoritical car flow, and work on it from there once we start operating (Q1/Q2 next year hopefully)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thats it for now, enjoy!</span><br />
<br />Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-22869498857694595882011-10-11T04:38:00.000-07:002011-10-11T04:54:29.922-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi Folks,<br /><br />In the past couple of weeks that I have been absent I have managed to lay some cork roadbed, and lay the lower level loop of track:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmrE90HPsb1hDx9PfOddGZQAFT7MKz3kgRZiPQcV6shteCLaes380t3u7QUWEP-WIKQF9XhSm9CLHDiyJyb6VJMaGzZ-6b3QMIIFXumih3wkl7VAcfLQRNLc8w_Ehy8nGGnc-ozZco5A/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmrE90HPsb1hDx9PfOddGZQAFT7MKz3kgRZiPQcV6shteCLaes380t3u7QUWEP-WIKQF9XhSm9CLHDiyJyb6VJMaGzZ-6b3QMIIFXumih3wkl7VAcfLQRNLc8w_Ehy8nGGnc-ozZco5A/s400/IMG_0133.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Three tracks around the peninsula</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have used Midwest products cork roadbed, and my first attempt at laying it was with spray on contact adhesive, which worked well to start as it tacked the roadbed down instantly.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLxzJRH-gDjao5w5ynYd0WoIQnuq3OKX4GqhJxWXY9ZgKf_-TOvzBJOwN8vktmOzPjynzMw8FUwbL4Qyb03-DCbDgI8ZSsCRi2jE6tHfIJcxgbcP0aOT9XmqsRvNHfF2Jdp9-6s1ILv4/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLxzJRH-gDjao5w5ynYd0WoIQnuq3OKX4GqhJxWXY9ZgKf_-TOvzBJOwN8vktmOzPjynzMw8FUwbL4Qyb03-DCbDgI8ZSsCRi2jE6tHfIJcxgbcP0aOT9XmqsRvNHfF2Jdp9-6s1ILv4/s400/IMG_0136.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However returning the next morning the cork had fallen off, yet if I glued it again it would stay for a bit and then fall off again. My guess is because both materials are fairly porous, the spray was not terribly effective. So I opted for the ever reliable PVA glue instead.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh2MjEqa8pUgdG2ugyvtpTdcopGo9kvKt9gtlJqNmvftp0IQgxEchyphenhyphenAsRgThn_FtrI6sZnlqrWIMzGX7mrRDdfHloH1HEDbzNJwcKcZg7p4sTXBylvcjD-9oM9Leg8z0w5Zsu-uKd0tI/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh2MjEqa8pUgdG2ugyvtpTdcopGo9kvKt9gtlJqNmvftp0IQgxEchyphenhyphenAsRgThn_FtrI6sZnlqrWIMzGX7mrRDdfHloH1HEDbzNJwcKcZg7p4sTXBylvcjD-9oM9Leg8z0w5Zsu-uKd0tI/s320/IMG_0134.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5mG1eYE5YALzZfG0yyfQ5UYqz2s6bk399v5GyGBcdZGRKwZEU5HjZhqn-DvSAYgcgY5-D9eQWsuwgvx7p9qWBQvZyKHR2Ia9_v-4XreGlf89fqwU-Lt1U8hcfJHuA62lElaLG69iVZo/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5mG1eYE5YALzZfG0yyfQ5UYqz2s6bk399v5GyGBcdZGRKwZEU5HjZhqn-DvSAYgcgY5-D9eQWsuwgvx7p9qWBQvZyKHR2Ia9_v-4XreGlf89fqwU-Lt1U8hcfJHuA62lElaLG69iVZo/s320/IMG_0137.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After ordering some track from the UK on Tuesday, I had it in my hands by Saturday morning thanks to DHL, so that afternoon i began laying track:</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH_QHrDbtuD1KrDETjvQRkRPufaaghtQMEJtiJ07n7y7aF5WjLa6rWpZnqN2xPeBtyD312FrQihvPM0HqTXEQDO9KtNSjN_VozJleONns8xY7S_ihNDXpQtnxtx7DuUEnCu_RnPMOhH8/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH_QHrDbtuD1KrDETjvQRkRPufaaghtQMEJtiJ07n7y7aF5WjLa6rWpZnqN2xPeBtyD312FrQihvPM0HqTXEQDO9KtNSjN_VozJleONns8xY7S_ihNDXpQtnxtx7DuUEnCu_RnPMOhH8/s400/IMG_0140.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First track goes down</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-kHlKngFaU6YfdDEA9YAf9yPIjvVRMzYUgCbu70uj1BFPc-ODafaGuZXMaoxq6VLTXSw3VwMvrKbe5fkVAqDgBbgOjz67o-T9C2gUYO9xF-ZuMy11FbPA8M-dZyUVshhnRgPj6uDyC0/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-kHlKngFaU6YfdDEA9YAf9yPIjvVRMzYUgCbu70uj1BFPc-ODafaGuZXMaoxq6VLTXSw3VwMvrKbe5fkVAqDgBbgOjz67o-T9C2gUYO9xF-ZuMy11FbPA8M-dZyUVshhnRgPj6uDyC0/s400/IMG_0141.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">into the first curve</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhpqHhidiaBInBHSTIgyRLhcLUfwGslTyljaym51z0SsR6dIe2_c33OUFC-NRvEtiqp2h3d_NsMwdGrR8RRjVoj70K8Khrx1M8cgcYBHFcuDslx-H5kQn7NjhN5cy1CvVJw4-jH5tids/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhpqHhidiaBInBHSTIgyRLhcLUfwGslTyljaym51z0SsR6dIe2_c33OUFC-NRvEtiqp2h3d_NsMwdGrR8RRjVoj70K8Khrx1M8cgcYBHFcuDslx-H5kQn7NjhN5cy1CvVJw4-jH5tids/s400/IMG_0142.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The crossover at Theta</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I began to snake my way around the layout I used laminated strips of Masking tape to superelevate the curve on the main line:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGbMmXdcvZvm_LcAmvkJpRgAbVctneC0UL-HQNaU3xz2bCsohKdNGGWDrRzYO_jRHlF5linndvY11Oo2JvBzJPcIoMQ_oYcb4EePaFQPSSBYSq61aj8O8S7tsRQPmrFpbNAK07hV1dbg/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGbMmXdcvZvm_LcAmvkJpRgAbVctneC0UL-HQNaU3xz2bCsohKdNGGWDrRzYO_jRHlF5linndvY11Oo2JvBzJPcIoMQ_oYcb4EePaFQPSSBYSq61aj8O8S7tsRQPmrFpbNAK07hV1dbg/s400/IMG_0145.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the left: the lower loop line. On the right: Superelevated main line.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBIZ1HbovsBrLCDC_MeVE7M-uBgjqFJE5NK_pCOlXqTlFypzAVeDsbLkrx3AVWOuGpTSw6aOJk1mkTDgPW1rrXBMubFOa69Li8lxUnZk_gZzVVmrCy7B6tMlN9P_RxSDMNAFeiie137A/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBIZ1HbovsBrLCDC_MeVE7M-uBgjqFJE5NK_pCOlXqTlFypzAVeDsbLkrx3AVWOuGpTSw6aOJk1mkTDgPW1rrXBMubFOa69Li8lxUnZk_gZzVVmrCy7B6tMlN9P_RxSDMNAFeiie137A/s400/IMG_0143.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNkqHRQkrpID9cDmNOR9IAXhtfIzryRUGR_Y2oYkNJak3nwL9kyoh4LkkOWLjMemJ2rJVjdoG107ebMXNctkRjy_CwyZHXmybEGuwX99Iw6N3NdFbUdNug6O0c5ebzyTP0Eb1W_EsdiI/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNkqHRQkrpID9cDmNOR9IAXhtfIzryRUGR_Y2oYkNJak3nwL9kyoh4LkkOWLjMemJ2rJVjdoG107ebMXNctkRjy_CwyZHXmybEGuwX99Iw6N3NdFbUdNug6O0c5ebzyTP0Eb1W_EsdiI/s400/IMG_0144.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next major step will be the integration of the Right-Hand Side helix, which should be arriving in the next day or two. That will be this weekends project, I plan to have the helix table build and possibly some track laid on the helix.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photos below where taken after I did a bit of a cleanup.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S0mMlNU8Jhopgwi4mQ7lxPfplu1g3lxSIDQBUbvXQgaoi2lSXH938WCs-pNArAm_sGEhMNIv64bUFQrT1WRRP5_kpZShMig4Dh-QbuwBlID-YMr6rOszNLNELW29DZHdg7bCnx43imk/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S0mMlNU8Jhopgwi4mQ7lxPfplu1g3lxSIDQBUbvXQgaoi2lSXH938WCs-pNArAm_sGEhMNIv64bUFQrT1WRRP5_kpZShMig4Dh-QbuwBlID-YMr6rOszNLNELW29DZHdg7bCnx43imk/s400/IMG_0147.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Staging</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKktbU2BAVzxrWGTJ3vmJ4rV31FED_zwHcT_5jKYBwcvZAZQonxRp-B48iABNcnQGmMJtON54U3qrZwdR0aOY9dB2sf4H7HdB0qU1pwnbu_444mbmhj1qYNvsrBbZRBdvTlcaof0eofOM/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKktbU2BAVzxrWGTJ3vmJ4rV31FED_zwHcT_5jKYBwcvZAZQonxRp-B48iABNcnQGmMJtON54U3qrZwdR0aOY9dB2sf4H7HdB0qU1pwnbu_444mbmhj1qYNvsrBbZRBdvTlcaof0eofOM/s400/IMG_0148.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The approach into Theta (missing a crossover at the moment)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2azpj1xS34SV5soq-F2_VQzvCb7W4gPYrtgqsdA53DFWhuvStPek5TVmCb6xDMyoQSs6MzoHodbeaAAKy7Xfna91X8x6aXmBFYUz_qxx3Vc-tDA8fLVIUr5XLqQ-lM-GOOgWqTvMXLQs/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2azpj1xS34SV5soq-F2_VQzvCb7W4gPYrtgqsdA53DFWhuvStPek5TVmCb6xDMyoQSs6MzoHodbeaAAKy7Xfna91X8x6aXmBFYUz_qxx3Vc-tDA8fLVIUr5XLqQ-lM-GOOgWqTvMXLQs/s400/IMG_0149.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The curve out of staging</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB9nHPeGUYtXz5Qxeo5I3KisKhrcV_W4Y2aaM_vvlzM855TSAUE5HjH0XWj0adcimJc7DsLNtKI6ShMR3QwZGT9LGLwWkrb8-BLMKKJ-hxXa8rOPsTsRhY2Ym6P7Zjazq8Uj7GRpliYg/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB9nHPeGUYtXz5Qxeo5I3KisKhrcV_W4Y2aaM_vvlzM855TSAUE5HjH0XWj0adcimJc7DsLNtKI6ShMR3QwZGT9LGLwWkrb8-BLMKKJ-hxXa8rOPsTsRhY2Ym6P7Zjazq8Uj7GRpliYg/s400/IMG_0151.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snaking through theta loop towards the next town</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTJWVheGmORjVtoMWas7ZjhaPEiTdxRUfl-Lt1qylMFmcFKVYOOBJpSXbV5SF8lR0cKb8pS2J29WfhvxYZGaY5m8CDJEmbKsZLCNB4IiKqsJdiI5UP3c4LELBKK63lGnX3J6n-Vw31vY/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTJWVheGmORjVtoMWas7ZjhaPEiTdxRUfl-Lt1qylMFmcFKVYOOBJpSXbV5SF8lR0cKb8pS2J29WfhvxYZGaY5m8CDJEmbKsZLCNB4IiKqsJdiI5UP3c4LELBKK63lGnX3J6n-Vw31vY/s400/IMG_0150.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beginning of Theta Loop</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgcDKV3I3EVqcRY7TrmeDv54FJZ-3m3iVqyb1OnnJB0PNn_MAWt3hpL6o3yiRSLqdL5Kfw2YdsbtHONc5xDSCBdTPAJD_44GUYQ76dWhD5dHWNvgVJz-DKrqE2Q8kpnldEXokrdmj6Jk/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgcDKV3I3EVqcRY7TrmeDv54FJZ-3m3iVqyb1OnnJB0PNn_MAWt3hpL6o3yiRSLqdL5Kfw2YdsbtHONc5xDSCBdTPAJD_44GUYQ76dWhD5dHWNvgVJz-DKrqE2Q8kpnldEXokrdmj6Jk/s400/IMG_0152.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking towards the branch line as the main snakes through below.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74b6wc6eVh8hCVL17P4yoI3nkUcs5hpSglCDAz27XG689HLaXISH9ZL8Lg9J0yds-akFV8p9iVH3xIvQR098rx_BJcSw9zNz-os7DLDzpioGgL9SOf81gnLIzFesxDByMdpavdfoolhA/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74b6wc6eVh8hCVL17P4yoI3nkUcs5hpSglCDAz27XG689HLaXISH9ZL8Lg9J0yds-akFV8p9iVH3xIvQR098rx_BJcSw9zNz-os7DLDzpioGgL9SOf81gnLIzFesxDByMdpavdfoolhA/s400/IMG_0154.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Dead-Frogged crossover with feeders below. Each piece of track has its own set of track feeders, and there are isolated sections for block detection.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh926xvnmuzc9UDFpkhd1guHO_9nXb5oBUY_1TmWecVvPG69mDAQQmh5-btWKHdgKUYfml0Iz0yN9IXyRqQficuY9XLdrx66tHzOTQuJJPrVDhWiTK6E40f4rueb2uBz_1H5-0Mi1_QW7E/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh926xvnmuzc9UDFpkhd1guHO_9nXb5oBUY_1TmWecVvPG69mDAQQmh5-btWKHdgKUYfml0Iz0yN9IXyRqQficuY9XLdrx66tHzOTQuJJPrVDhWiTK6E40f4rueb2uBz_1H5-0Mi1_QW7E/s400/IMG_0156.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-70520972934067931682011-09-19T01:04:00.001-07:002011-09-19T01:04:33.971-07:00Weekend Update 17/09/11<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey everyone,<br /><br />No trackwork this week, have been busy arranging the next couple of weeks work. shortly I'll be ordering some track and points for the initial run of the track, the helix kit, and the cork roadbed. Until then, here is a picture of the finished CTC panel in CTI that I'll be using:<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEeQ4kLnYZqXO1gmdknRn9pC8_vBx2FGmdwJ2I6f7PN9JlVgHSpMYkAVaynOjUFONeB7GMYJeVpdraliWcUhxIHRg_68hYu605gFzDo6GVgor7kvkrrybEZzo5pM8Z-y7NDtX__9fTzU/s1600/signal+panel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEeQ4kLnYZqXO1gmdknRn9pC8_vBx2FGmdwJ2I6f7PN9JlVgHSpMYkAVaynOjUFONeB7GMYJeVpdraliWcUhxIHRg_68hYu605gFzDo6GVgor7kvkrrybEZzo5pM8Z-y7NDtX__9fTzU/s400/signal+panel.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-49933876081228750832011-09-13T16:34:00.000-07:002011-09-13T16:34:35.705-07:00Weekend Update 10/09/11<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a slight delay over the weekend, I have managed to finish early this week what I wanted to finish on the weekend - the lower level roadbed:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfptKNCfXfJ3W1IXYNZlE9-CzQXoJmaYz26CnvzKhYoNrSRcn2VlZjW_Lv2FBA0_Okve2vZxvToFTv6yLlNL2Lm2hZi81f5iTfGM1syFQ7AlYgKfsEQWIgndG7VacPhCVdTWIaAcBOS4/s1600/Photo+13-09-11+19+49+29.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfptKNCfXfJ3W1IXYNZlE9-CzQXoJmaYz26CnvzKhYoNrSRcn2VlZjW_Lv2FBA0_Okve2vZxvToFTv6yLlNL2Lm2hZi81f5iTfGM1syFQ7AlYgKfsEQWIgndG7VacPhCVdTWIaAcBOS4/s320/Photo+13-09-11+19+49+29.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Left Hand Side ("Spencer")</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqtiB2hzI6A_HnG5XsQqUC3mz6L79Tq9_1ZQ7jSHbpEpq_6YVqKqOmZf6Q9E380B5-0Svl-P1kdGwfg5MbG12GSkHNp5FnJiNpOcNVHgblpGtQJgPKiqzWZNsPMUokX2En6Hh-w8vKH8/s1600/Photo+13-09-11+19+49+18.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqtiB2hzI6A_HnG5XsQqUC3mz6L79Tq9_1ZQ7jSHbpEpq_6YVqKqOmZf6Q9E380B5-0Svl-P1kdGwfg5MbG12GSkHNp5FnJiNpOcNVHgblpGtQJgPKiqzWZNsPMUokX2En6Hh-w8vKH8/s320/Photo+13-09-11+19+49+18.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Future Site of Staging</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjs4WGh_EeCicNRabK17eNSZXX5MHKR_r8_g5AUB-mVMr1bEknheCEZhQcGDloK69D8ryl_0-c5Z0mZy856WDTa-uQ3_OboqYVbvLZdnS4_DQ0r5IbjLoXNd8Vo_yFAbNRd6-oZQbu2U/s1600/Photo+13-09-11+19+49+36.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjs4WGh_EeCicNRabK17eNSZXX5MHKR_r8_g5AUB-mVMr1bEknheCEZhQcGDloK69D8ryl_0-c5Z0mZy856WDTa-uQ3_OboqYVbvLZdnS4_DQ0r5IbjLoXNd8Vo_yFAbNRd6-oZQbu2U/s320/Photo+13-09-11+19+49+36.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Peninsula, with Theta Loop and the Branch line with the 2% grade towards Theta down the rear of the peninsula - since this picture was taken the spline has been laid properly for the branch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have decided to change my construction timeline by not laying the upper level roadbed until both helixes are installed - this is mainly for two reasons:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1. The roadbed will need to attach to the helix in some way on the upper level, and it has to swing off the helix to do this. Rather than lay the spline and then need to re-lay it later, I've decided to hold off second level roadbed progress. Compared to the first level it is a lot simpler, as the spline will be single track.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2. The two helixes are prefab kits to ensure reliability, as I don't trust myself to make a reliable helix with a steady grade and curvature. To save any headaches later on, I'm going with a kit with a ~19" rise between the two levels, which is ample.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">With this change I've decided to move up the track laying and roadbed stage for the lower level, so I can lay track for the lower level and helix before starting the upper level. I may not lay the track, incase I need to make minor adjustments - but I'd like to make a start on the roadbed at least.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">You may notice in a couple of photos that as I began to put the spline onto risers, I lowered the loop line around the peninsula. Rather than using double layers of cork, I've opted for this solution instead - luckily as well the wood involved in the other parts of the roadbed is a couple of millimetres lower than the spline, which should give a good indication of main and secondary lines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thats it for now, pics are below...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ6l96shaz6RGLHeHeghyA2FmovlbmcZHdCCAVYdvXI8KEnDxjaO4ITkyMN0sVMZFAGujgdFWeTqQyHfxMLzdBZfi4hduTxKMqbx3sOlPqlqQW3cPcQt7I7W8HZRBMK6FmZjLF7ByEb4/s1600/Photo+5-09-11+11+00+40.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ6l96shaz6RGLHeHeghyA2FmovlbmcZHdCCAVYdvXI8KEnDxjaO4ITkyMN0sVMZFAGujgdFWeTqQyHfxMLzdBZfi4hduTxKMqbx3sOlPqlqQW3cPcQt7I7W8HZRBMK6FmZjLF7ByEb4/s320/Photo+5-09-11+11+00+40.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Left hand side, not sitting on risers</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9rtPnwsrOX_23R91v4VLvjSfbYLtKtpy5eD8ON7nuTlMF0svO1iFfwHkkG5KbXgwHyYIhNizTlNJHagvITtxJaL2CtGiLkdROwa-VrTa1imemARe-op9QWI0JrGlvZA8FnHdCX64lAE/s1600/Photo+5-09-11+11+00+48.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9rtPnwsrOX_23R91v4VLvjSfbYLtKtpy5eD8ON7nuTlMF0svO1iFfwHkkG5KbXgwHyYIhNizTlNJHagvITtxJaL2CtGiLkdROwa-VrTa1imemARe-op9QWI0JrGlvZA8FnHdCX64lAE/s320/Photo+5-09-11+11+00+48.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I started with, before installing the risers and other parts of the roadbed</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXrKNgsjIgjKNh2WQ-rVMVDhNhjdOrARD5ZR24B6MQsOoew5f0E9F6CqRoql3LIvNrZt-5KxP9RvhbvIf35zBB4-sLdokMhiGDsDwJEve2BGN-sI3sN2v_K5clEH_5oYVvcXI3H6VE-U/s1600/Photo+13-09-11+19+48+44.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXrKNgsjIgjKNh2WQ-rVMVDhNhjdOrARD5ZR24B6MQsOoew5f0E9F6CqRoql3LIvNrZt-5KxP9RvhbvIf35zBB4-sLdokMhiGDsDwJEve2BGN-sI3sN2v_K5clEH_5oYVvcXI3H6VE-U/s320/Photo+13-09-11+19+48+44.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A view looking down the Theta branch towards the peninsula</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy8zVu-Yn58YltjSMw-kaEIbpQn1XGnl5VFGEi1ZcBi_eRBvj39OSYlb_CyaeT-TboDi220O2ZvN-BmWjC4BrDLMuFTPxu5TnIqUD0JETi5gXLERRY4uIemVNXqL96H4w3cVetSEbMNc/s1600/Photo+13-09-11+19+49+08.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy8zVu-Yn58YltjSMw-kaEIbpQn1XGnl5VFGEi1ZcBi_eRBvj39OSYlb_CyaeT-TboDi220O2ZvN-BmWjC4BrDLMuFTPxu5TnIqUD0JETi5gXLERRY4uIemVNXqL96H4w3cVetSEbMNc/s320/Photo+13-09-11+19+49+08.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here the Theta Branch Leads into East Theta</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43l1pp_vtIsJxWnHltpMpK7DXpJ6XCjO58A2M8qMm1ZIwqH73hS2ru9hvVchT1WG-YJUNlIS_boLm4JjoHnrn751BKlPtgH5vAss6hYNJbkNMMff7JWvKzq9ZuZ8KYZVD4CZmSgqIxDY/s1600/Photo+13-09-11+19+48+17.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43l1pp_vtIsJxWnHltpMpK7DXpJ6XCjO58A2M8qMm1ZIwqH73hS2ru9hvVchT1WG-YJUNlIS_boLm4JjoHnrn751BKlPtgH5vAss6hYNJbkNMMff7JWvKzq9ZuZ8KYZVD4CZmSgqIxDY/s320/Photo+13-09-11+19+48+17.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A view showing the grade difference of the branch and mainline. Also note the slight change in height between main and loop lines.</span></td></tr>
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Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-79455639848805171352011-09-05T05:13:00.000-07:002011-09-05T05:13:27.763-07:00Weekend Update - 05/09/11<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So in the past weekend, and the week leading up to it, I have managed to complete the primary roadbed for the lower level. I am in the process of ordering a Helix and some extra wood to fill in the gaps where the rest of the track is - I am only using spline for the mainline run, as it will give me some flexibility with the placement of the sidings and smaller sections of track.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">In other news</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Managed to install a TCS M1 decoder into a Bachmann SD45, and am beginning to fit micro-trains trucks to some walthers stack cars. Am still waiting on a shipment of FVM metal wheelsets to be used for Block Detection.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Am currently researching the Helix Designs, I am still going for a prefab kit, and will be ordering it in the coming weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-All going well, roadbed and track will be going down sometime in October, with some sort of trains running by xmas - even if it is train order working!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Aaron.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY2HYe4PahCUkFNZGjR_et0awm-lTqWm9frRWV2uhV8Z4AsEKhOvMIQuMhr56EkS3HohnItcfSp4ZKt5uXA3d24CPadhojJZ3z-4RpYJzeZPdcoihx4kmk1GZDncQsxuTDEaW0Lf6eco/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY2HYe4PahCUkFNZGjR_et0awm-lTqWm9frRWV2uhV8Z4AsEKhOvMIQuMhr56EkS3HohnItcfSp4ZKt5uXA3d24CPadhojJZ3z-4RpYJzeZPdcoihx4kmk1GZDncQsxuTDEaW0Lf6eco/s400/IMG_0079.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laying of the 1:1 track plan, and beginning to lay the key spline</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbssAfcH1F02UuyUdFYAdOP1VCtBeVD_NENCb9xitVIGXCAXctBDn4y8n-9NUT0_MJd1CL4ffhT55fu-grPBULIlvkMs75bzjFXdoxz3tBV93KAmlGZ8CqiAgC2-2te96mGYzj0NhiZwQ/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbssAfcH1F02UuyUdFYAdOP1VCtBeVD_NENCb9xitVIGXCAXctBDn4y8n-9NUT0_MJd1CL4ffhT55fu-grPBULIlvkMs75bzjFXdoxz3tBV93KAmlGZ8CqiAgC2-2te96mGYzj0NhiZwQ/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Initial Clamping</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLJm2sS7S-AO8Dp2MjRCNnMHcrbAsY4PvIu1u242eg-oqDMJfbeCUsZzaXQlhc9lUqvzW532W56W6OME95F61iQZw69WynTJEAFF9_Fsy8_ZH3RBG42vozuTxvit_5MNTn4pUQKz4eKw/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLJm2sS7S-AO8Dp2MjRCNnMHcrbAsY4PvIu1u242eg-oqDMJfbeCUsZzaXQlhc9lUqvzW532W56W6OME95F61iQZw69WynTJEAFF9_Fsy8_ZH3RBG42vozuTxvit_5MNTn4pUQKz4eKw/s400/IMG_0081.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More Clamping </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK7YVmDOf8jyxclDsRDD2nUUeK-YADjCJINDzvZFhkvhp2UOhkS2oEj3yAkLOX0e0kN02ivZRQSwiLspVmlJh2Qxyo6DYIVPfxU2OfuBJTei1fMKrHK05jfXWoEm01GktFEVvrdSwIno/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-OQWZK3DPKn9duLH6MIZdE_ztrFyijhA634tAcvkTOHRPd4ADiDMZBQiUwJ0SnH4DfDzrWvi_88SwaDYJihIY-JBgNYKdEnePYPe37URiaaIKAG5J89UN90UYHRWAWQdjS5qIP08MZ4/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-OQWZK3DPKn9duLH6MIZdE_ztrFyijhA634tAcvkTOHRPd4ADiDMZBQiUwJ0SnH4DfDzrWvi_88SwaDYJihIY-JBgNYKdEnePYPe37URiaaIKAG5J89UN90UYHRWAWQdjS5qIP08MZ4/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The completed Lower LHS Spline</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFx2RmoiEjhvBh-IDtef8H_KWkZOk_gTGSW518m8qweaP5_HyqRSkMcaRBFmU9Ac0tWucLxuuQtoVUVJhD7mXvqPywNPYBxfi2u0Io6-WeL_MgcLtXdHj1VcUt0Us3rLYOGp5z77g_0I/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFx2RmoiEjhvBh-IDtef8H_KWkZOk_gTGSW518m8qweaP5_HyqRSkMcaRBFmU9Ac0tWucLxuuQtoVUVJhD7mXvqPywNPYBxfi2u0Io6-WeL_MgcLtXdHj1VcUt0Us3rLYOGp5z77g_0I/s400/IMG_0089.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continuing forward around the peninsula</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosCdgsNHMk7dO5lI8rd1k55YPqerPZzuwzN6yQrAGyaW7n56mjfsJsOSKxyHD8by7EWDmcWjg4sJZleJApaf2l9o7tWLMxqZi2wBmcaTwdZz1awCUW2k8Taw7cLQDYXp_O5ugz7fH6lk/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosCdgsNHMk7dO5lI8rd1k55YPqerPZzuwzN6yQrAGyaW7n56mjfsJsOSKxyHD8by7EWDmcWjg4sJZleJApaf2l9o7tWLMxqZi2wBmcaTwdZz1awCUW2k8Taw7cLQDYXp_O5ugz7fH6lk/s400/IMG_0090.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beginning to clamp the second curve</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh2PDtbre_FMOHA6-f8y4MjRUqJSoWop_A3in4AbtriEZEXJqZFswJp6HJYBLtL4yJsk-emjD-illirX-gXYyS3kVzYvPOcMC5sENOdLzo0eiHJNqG2e01_i62r7p4yufSKgj0z5f9Gs/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh2PDtbre_FMOHA6-f8y4MjRUqJSoWop_A3in4AbtriEZEXJqZFswJp6HJYBLtL4yJsk-emjD-illirX-gXYyS3kVzYvPOcMC5sENOdLzo0eiHJNqG2e01_i62r7p4yufSKgj0z5f9Gs/s400/IMG_0091.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The completed LHS Spline</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgran0Ocmdl6eSxVEAf7gB2X3gQmwZAXuqnd9NdDvYWrXAyYY1VJ5MO2eAXUOaRs8HvxhtJaSeXuIQSIGmTOcgXnTPTalENPQT7Hwi0NB8O5xww5wECpQtDXR-NJhrU3xDUd1b6tiDriC8/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgran0Ocmdl6eSxVEAf7gB2X3gQmwZAXuqnd9NdDvYWrXAyYY1VJ5MO2eAXUOaRs8HvxhtJaSeXuIQSIGmTOcgXnTPTalENPQT7Hwi0NB8O5xww5wECpQtDXR-NJhrU3xDUd1b6tiDriC8/s400/IMG_0092.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">\</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another view of the RHS Spline, and the loop line on the peninsula</span></div>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-34326471657969783812011-08-28T02:08:00.000-07:002011-08-28T02:08:10.827-07:00Weekend Progress 28/08/11<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well its all finished, the baseboards, lighting and background have been completed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQ-zGltq_oRL9OXobvqWi3yi47eqBKkMLchlq-5kSjLKNqOPAwAwJ-o5yxyiJlgwdo5lsGdmENciYjmGYtEHKLQVaHfNwKLWCmWLrCWLI5XGIz-dBK90eI0YsV6u12etSZ3Lps5fDQ8s/s1600/Photo+28-08-11+17+49+57.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQ-zGltq_oRL9OXobvqWi3yi47eqBKkMLchlq-5kSjLKNqOPAwAwJ-o5yxyiJlgwdo5lsGdmENciYjmGYtEHKLQVaHfNwKLWCmWLrCWLI5XGIz-dBK90eI0YsV6u12etSZ3Lps5fDQ8s/s400/Photo+28-08-11+17+49+57.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Completed Left Hand Side</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMM4ZVVi-qBdOE987ovzIjgOAb9iJWHLRgCNKejc-IKJ8APNA8E_rVUjqJnDBeW7uivH1jmZZEBhTROWtUox70Z1OcjngZIGAgscN5nVRHPd0hOP3pDyXnlAkJRZRpRUhmT-DKSw3wuEE/s1600/Photo+28-08-11+17+50+02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMM4ZVVi-qBdOE987ovzIjgOAb9iJWHLRgCNKejc-IKJ8APNA8E_rVUjqJnDBeW7uivH1jmZZEBhTROWtUox70Z1OcjngZIGAgscN5nVRHPd0hOP3pDyXnlAkJRZRpRUhmT-DKSw3wuEE/s400/Photo+28-08-11+17+50+02.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Completed Right Hand Side</span><br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> All in all it was a pretty straightforward process, Friday night the LED lights arrived at 6pm, by 10:30 I had this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a_agZMMXlhiI5wtju4V2FxLDD-CCOXGqk5zJVYHOFjBSTbOT8HYkfsQ5TvyBaQE3GI4_Nff1N77KQ6OmchCN-H3tMsEWrmHiPMQc4JxAPg2FKeM7JGlleNnqNCHu0RSRItncTlA3Wbc/s1600/Photo+26-08-11+22+32+35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a_agZMMXlhiI5wtju4V2FxLDD-CCOXGqk5zJVYHOFjBSTbOT8HYkfsQ5TvyBaQE3GI4_Nff1N77KQ6OmchCN-H3tMsEWrmHiPMQc4JxAPg2FKeM7JGlleNnqNCHu0RSRItncTlA3Wbc/s400/Photo+26-08-11+22+32+35.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LED Lights installed</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> By Saturday night, I had installed all of the remaining backscenes, and begun filling/sanding/painting the backscenes. Once I bought the paint home I realised that it was far too blue:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSvbxFjxvIlToXOpico-HD2epx8_gTI9SqG9hbmf08nRGEPnH8PdF0kVXPO4q86C53a8bh4XmSiXhc7Y5osuKg-pWk7xRV_mt_Krcvf54h2oY-5RmZHQmRkhGV0fy-YI-wK3xq9q7P8c/s1600/Photo+27-08-11+21+45+59.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSvbxFjxvIlToXOpico-HD2epx8_gTI9SqG9hbmf08nRGEPnH8PdF0kVXPO4q86C53a8bh4XmSiXhc7Y5osuKg-pWk7xRV_mt_Krcvf54h2oY-5RmZHQmRkhGV0fy-YI-wK3xq9q7P8c/s400/Photo+27-08-11+21+45+59.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looks more like the ocean, not the sky...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately I found a large tin of white paint in the shed, same brand and low sheen.. So after mixing a bit of both, it bought it to a much more natural colour:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih71dHRKzXXAzYNCZha797WW42V7vgB7OEgt4khLy8SUBKF1aQIbrEy3mOxjwn6oKGdBoPxmDGH-0H_WvANEM-Ny7W2HjXPHKcn01mg-DPNd1P4kQUhasaqA3j2_8rNUsLokMuHL1AGyg/s1600/Photo+28-08-11+13+20+20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih71dHRKzXXAzYNCZha797WW42V7vgB7OEgt4khLy8SUBKF1aQIbrEy3mOxjwn6oKGdBoPxmDGH-0H_WvANEM-Ny7W2HjXPHKcn01mg-DPNd1P4kQUhasaqA3j2_8rNUsLokMuHL1AGyg/s400/Photo+28-08-11+13+20+20.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sanded and ready for a proper shade of blue</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So on Sunday afternoon, 2 coats of blue paint now looks something like this:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdhrPZB5ecN1zWwNYOzHh-zf1qDqN_XU9D5tKcOD4T4orEnzY5lH19R5lZo6oie7zxhsYERoDS-eInjKQQRL4Bh16Kqpgkx5IFm55mKDT589eOW7egzejnTLvMeQ7uD1igixIwFAgdGg/s1600/Photo+28-08-11+17+50+02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdhrPZB5ecN1zWwNYOzHh-zf1qDqN_XU9D5tKcOD4T4orEnzY5lH19R5lZo6oie7zxhsYERoDS-eInjKQQRL4Bh16Kqpgkx5IFm55mKDT589eOW7egzejnTLvMeQ7uD1igixIwFAgdGg/s400/Photo+28-08-11+17+50+02.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNf52tVr1yFCI6nV9Fx4sGd3AB6xqSeBFjJR45JP8aa7KbhhSLckJhTrOq3913EuJqxwhUaLvYJYlSbxYzUEbGwHae9Egzz4qU0QYxc7AftvkZ1brVpdxFKNOhR8DzNC7tcUKrOdGMRg/s1600/Photo+28-08-11+17+50+21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNf52tVr1yFCI6nV9Fx4sGd3AB6xqSeBFjJR45JP8aa7KbhhSLckJhTrOq3913EuJqxwhUaLvYJYlSbxYzUEbGwHae9Egzz4qU0QYxc7AftvkZ1brVpdxFKNOhR8DzNC7tcUKrOdGMRg/s320/Photo+28-08-11+17+50+21.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first hooked up the LED's, I calculated I would probably need 4 transformers, at 5A each. While at Bunnings on Saturday I walked past a cheap multimeter and checked the four transformers - they where only pulling around 1.7A each, so I merged the two sides into a transformer each:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ86o78UpFbxg7N_GjZvxE96eiIZKPeyv1iszpUmFOBEsgmiWR_UKvMpZl9-hSSirDbzvyO4ohpddVhUnckeJvCwGzi-mcqRPSBfKvaVowksh8KySFTXnaykW1FBGEUO_0F84aZMkYvjI/s1600/Photo+28-08-11+17+49+41.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ86o78UpFbxg7N_GjZvxE96eiIZKPeyv1iszpUmFOBEsgmiWR_UKvMpZl9-hSSirDbzvyO4ohpddVhUnckeJvCwGzi-mcqRPSBfKvaVowksh8KySFTXnaykW1FBGEUO_0F84aZMkYvjI/s320/Photo+28-08-11+17+49+41.jpeg" width="239" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thats it for now, next week I start the spline roadbed, which will be a bit of a challenge.. during the week I'll cut and tape the layout 1:1 plan together so I can mark the risers before I start the splines..</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Aaron.</span></div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-39213476372289011742011-08-28T02:01:00.000-07:002011-08-28T02:01:32.894-07:00Evolution of Design, Part 1<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my previous post was a quick introduction into the layout - Since construction is still about a month away, I'm going to review the design process and show how the layout has evolved into what it is today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lower Level - v1:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1ipHymR3ar1c89VJoollujuqfe-EstNZLvdFpmqaqH7Awew7dTffaIcAQtwGY9zhQ11fbJ7kO4omFZEacdXJcMkpGS67KoS8hOIv5nA5q7sAgonkcQWKviFzodm3T27Q-kR9j9nCRmg/s1600/Draft+Plan+v1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1ipHymR3ar1c89VJoollujuqfe-EstNZLvdFpmqaqH7Awew7dTffaIcAQtwGY9zhQ11fbJ7kO4omFZEacdXJcMkpGS67KoS8hOIv5nA5q7sAgonkcQWKviFzodm3T27Q-kR9j9nCRmg/s640/Draft+Plan+v1-1.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upper Level - v1:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPcOts0TBtxx5TZ6sCFxpJ6y3s3s2pqmxijDXD1ulE0Bdw4ldS_3OP1XNa0egYHN723qx2dvuc9SJNhk72buhaQSzfR0Gw27GQh4h2EemuoT3ES-2JuybrBK3TH02v81_cWBzulkS1Qs/s1600/Draft+Plan+v1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPcOts0TBtxx5TZ6sCFxpJ6y3s3s2pqmxijDXD1ulE0Bdw4ldS_3OP1XNa0egYHN723qx2dvuc9SJNhk72buhaQSzfR0Gw27GQh4h2EemuoT3ES-2JuybrBK3TH02v81_cWBzulkS1Qs/s640/Draft+Plan+v1-2.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As you can see, it is quite sparse!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After talking to some people about the design, and researching the actual baseboard layout, it was realised that there was a lot of wasted space on the second level, even with 25cm wide modules. If you look at the second level, you can see it has a 'teardrop' shape. This serves two purposes:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Large Radius curve, and subsequent crossing loop - allows the trains to look realistic as they traverse this part of the track, tight curves cause the bogies to swing out from under the chassis otherwise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Ability for crews on the line to pass in the ailes where they would congregate: The control points, and the upper level yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'll mention here that I'm a member of the NMRA, and subsequently I have tried to design this layout with NMRA Recommended Practices and Standards. This allows the minimum radius to be calculated depending on what type of locomotive is being used. Since the layout is geared to modern image 70ft+ locomotives will be common, for example GE GEVOs, SD70Ms and most likely SD90MACS. Consequently the curve radius is quite large. In the design above the track radius through the teardrop is 26" for the main, and 24.5" for the loop. The minimum curve radius is 15" on the helix, and 23" on the curves leading to the peninsula.</span>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-40435058620820457562011-08-26T07:16:00.000-07:002011-08-26T07:18:12.038-07:00Evolution of Design, Part 2<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">yoIts been a while since my last article on the design stages of the layout, so here we go with part 2. I am going to cover the first couple of versions of the plan, there is about 5 or 6 revisions before the current form.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Version 1.0: (pretty sparse, aint it?)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaLdYwrjVdA-cC5mjeIK3OC2bw_eOhuPzcdgtKbiKXRlSpNaHVdkm2FWZ13W0WzFXeZS13egHSUgmq4MQdFAazi4FsTIfNmTVrujuMsXq4mmtJ-bPHhX2XUs0yc7kb3FOu0RbUiRYETo/s1600/v1Upper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaLdYwrjVdA-cC5mjeIK3OC2bw_eOhuPzcdgtKbiKXRlSpNaHVdkm2FWZ13W0WzFXeZS13egHSUgmq4MQdFAazi4FsTIfNmTVrujuMsXq4mmtJ-bPHhX2XUs0yc7kb3FOu0RbUiRYETo/s400/v1Upper.jpg" width="248" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrtB5oeQHbwYCYQZqsl09o4R4i6Zrs6mhwfQhUqquAut8BM88ibP4ejliSModHtzoo554jJcpXpNCCKA9w0_IpdfVlbJFO-g9mpUVlZBuxYK7vSBWOVaX8O_j1re0PiIXumfG_hWWa8I/s1600/v1Lower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrtB5oeQHbwYCYQZqsl09o4R4i6Zrs6mhwfQhUqquAut8BM88ibP4ejliSModHtzoo554jJcpXpNCCKA9w0_IpdfVlbJFO-g9mpUVlZBuxYK7vSBWOVaX8O_j1re0PiIXumfG_hWWa8I/s400/v1Lower.jpg" width="248" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got a lot of my inspiration from the CSX Dixie Line, http://csxdixieline.blogspot.com/ - if you see Jamie's plan you'll see I have followed a similar form. I started with a basic form, to get the curvature and basic track plan down. As you can see there is no benchwork integrated on the drawing, just the premise that the width is 25cm for each module, (except the peninsula)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Version 1.0a</strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOHDlhznmitnnm4O7T8-OFDKdm65IG5uXKvtqLzCZwndWSFrVrxk5tEoxMI1y15bc8ZoMS1CQ-VZszibpalD-9q2LTwxd12vYB43dZmUTlqu7dDGw4CGr1alkxi4Pu8n7YbuiygVHHgk/s1600/v1aUpper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOHDlhznmitnnm4O7T8-OFDKdm65IG5uXKvtqLzCZwndWSFrVrxk5tEoxMI1y15bc8ZoMS1CQ-VZszibpalD-9q2LTwxd12vYB43dZmUTlqu7dDGw4CGr1alkxi4Pu8n7YbuiygVHHgk/s400/v1aUpper.jpg" width="248" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5zKL8VC4T4_V7nTk4XbSm5NCWc87CK8fGlzbBUIy2ztztUbJce6RgA2YIHAzvCd7rYh-gMjKJ1liRZ4zCyfki4JCXGUMtcauJRN_EvTXg_lU-nTSJp3qqjt-rifApLNxFVs-J-LD0_c/s1600/v1aLower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5zKL8VC4T4_V7nTk4XbSm5NCWc87CK8fGlzbBUIy2ztztUbJce6RgA2YIHAzvCd7rYh-gMjKJ1liRZ4zCyfki4JCXGUMtcauJRN_EvTXg_lU-nTSJp3qqjt-rifApLNxFVs-J-LD0_c/s400/v1aLower.jpg" width="248" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From what I can acertain the only difference between this and v1.0 is the addition of basic geometry for the benchork, moving on to:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Version 1.3 (don't ask why I skipped versions 1.2 and 1.1):</strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKMzLvloQLSH7aKLVEyO8I2MO0D8sEJI5Ybd5gXc1fu4nKxGvP7xNIVUuQfyn2xV9ycqpzUyiNZpFx9mrptQVvQ6ufj-PcCtcBPRuIhLX5UeyvhRpgToX5RvocqCAJRDmZdwbUJ60g6U/s1600/v1.3Lower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKMzLvloQLSH7aKLVEyO8I2MO0D8sEJI5Ybd5gXc1fu4nKxGvP7xNIVUuQfyn2xV9ycqpzUyiNZpFx9mrptQVvQ6ufj-PcCtcBPRuIhLX5UeyvhRpgToX5RvocqCAJRDmZdwbUJ60g6U/s400/v1.3Lower.jpg" width="248" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4HtSSuthXAK7vS39dbYosFcMkMaEjOH_Z4jeWvwVrSPh8YPzvwWJzGbKCqPFkyRGCtExUsrQoZhxo7I-KVNrCZN8-m6TqInI99Qto6CZbnhyphenhypheneiBSMjf3j2_5zltaBvOfB7bYIdTKNL0/s1600/v1.3Upper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4HtSSuthXAK7vS39dbYosFcMkMaEjOH_Z4jeWvwVrSPh8YPzvwWJzGbKCqPFkyRGCtExUsrQoZhxo7I-KVNrCZN8-m6TqInI99Qto6CZbnhyphenhypheneiBSMjf3j2_5zltaBvOfB7bYIdTKNL0/s400/v1.3Upper.jpg" width="248" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After working on the basic geometry on the previous plans, I have further developed this to split the layout into 'modules' to streamline construction. you may have noticed in some of the photos on the blog that the build has been in stages, and that each area is of similar design. I believe at this point operations was starting to become a contributing factor in layout design, as building the CTC Panel started to change parts of the layou to streamline operations.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Version 1.3a:</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXrlo3J9pI3iSSAvdGvzbQT9BdzCX38fHPZAXOEHOGb0NOwAkuuJMwidig4pnO2vqvBsJgufOb0q8bJJdfeUmxajr5tyuvjoTjcYVG2Ct-mtsa0ryTdN5FAvkFjz4dhyphenhyphenOrXr-Fmpf0fQ/s1600/v1.3aLower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXrlo3J9pI3iSSAvdGvzbQT9BdzCX38fHPZAXOEHOGb0NOwAkuuJMwidig4pnO2vqvBsJgufOb0q8bJJdfeUmxajr5tyuvjoTjcYVG2Ct-mtsa0ryTdN5FAvkFjz4dhyphenhyphenOrXr-Fmpf0fQ/s400/v1.3aLower.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnBqf5R2wGyILDSfAPIbT69QZupdIe39egFx_5fmfEpOcyECg90LhcCoTg82ZbYUph3L3mDLvo_rBvJcb70IaoMIAT4WFJWeDqmK6xdf6gktfzmsirJaLCJQX7tNQIKEVVWfjH_ZHvW4/s1600/v1.3aUpper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnBqf5R2wGyILDSfAPIbT69QZupdIe39egFx_5fmfEpOcyECg90LhcCoTg82ZbYUph3L3mDLvo_rBvJcb70IaoMIAT4WFJWeDqmK6xdf6gktfzmsirJaLCJQX7tNQIKEVVWfjH_ZHvW4/s400/v1.3aUpper.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This version has a slightly expanded yard, and the lineside towns and industries are starting to form. At this point, the towns where known as Alpha, Beta, Theta, and Gamma. Only one of those names exists on the current plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Peninsula is known as Theta, and in the next couple of revisions is one of the more re-worked areas. on this plan you can see there are two areas of theta, both containing branches. since they are lineside on the loop they can become bottlenecks for through freight trains when arranging a cross. Because of this, it was removed in future versions. An inclusion of the double track helix is also a method to reduce traffic congestion on one of the busiest parts of the line, as well as a part with the longest run time between crossing loops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That will do for this post, next time I'll delve into a double track design, and the reasons why i didn't go down that path.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And to finish, a couple of YouTube videos of trains on Cowan Bank - can't beat the old 44's...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/sXFCc_mBOsw/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sXFCc_mBOsw&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sXFCc_mBOsw&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/zw3V5h_eHNA/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zw3V5h_eHNA&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zw3V5h_eHNA&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-13687979778830126912011-08-26T06:28:00.000-07:002011-08-26T06:44:38.917-07:00Track Plan<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Name:</strong> UP/BNSF Steino Subdivision</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Scale:</strong> N (1:160)<br />
<strong>Size:</strong> 4.5m x 2.8m<br />
<strong>Prototype:</strong> UP/BNSF Shared Trackage<br />
<strong>Locale:</strong> Midwest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Era:</strong> Modern<br />
<strong>Style:</strong> Double-deck, around the walls with peninsula<br />
<strong>Mainline run:</strong> 28.49m<br />
<strong>Minimum radius:</strong> 12.75" (on helix)<br />
<strong>Minimum turnout:</strong> Peco No.6 Frog, largest turnout.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Turnout Motors:</strong> Tam Valley Controllers, Micro Servos.<br />
<strong>Maximum grade:</strong> 2.5 percent in helix</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Signalling System:</strong> CTI Electronics CTC Custom build</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Roadbed: </strong>Spline/Plywood board</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lower Level:</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiundEUrX3ny1hs1sM1XAI_zUuCJCXd4L6an1oRhvFYdfHZ4-UC0OSrJX7b-eMQZ0XYM7P50Q5JAY_m925_aBVs-JInZFy-AhnQICDvCtyvnnEjiHon12t-sUsIPU_86a4ludbg2MgbK9U/s1600/LowerLevel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiundEUrX3ny1hs1sM1XAI_zUuCJCXd4L6an1oRhvFYdfHZ4-UC0OSrJX7b-eMQZ0XYM7P50Q5JAY_m925_aBVs-JInZFy-AhnQICDvCtyvnnEjiHon12t-sUsIPU_86a4ludbg2MgbK9U/s400/LowerLevel.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upper Level:</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx22Z_s-6ibVa599Y8umy7MWQ7lsI2lKGzXuIiBgNSAmrcQ3eJzJhtqTdTf-iNHFkgsAGzWNgHC848qn7E53xl9k4y514nEiYAXYA8M3pILaTnVp1eSee_EFpq6b6Fbn6qWIpE6eUcRg/s1600/UpperLevel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx22Z_s-6ibVa599Y8umy7MWQ7lsI2lKGzXuIiBgNSAmrcQ3eJzJhtqTdTf-iNHFkgsAGzWNgHC848qn7E53xl9k4y514nEiYAXYA8M3pILaTnVp1eSee_EFpq6b6Fbn6qWIpE6eUcRg/s400/UpperLevel.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong></strong><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></span>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-84249595681080142952011-08-16T02:44:00.000-07:002011-08-16T02:44:20.871-07:00Weekend Update 13/08/11<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have now started to put up the backscenes and have placed an order for the rest of the backscenes, due to be delivered sometime early next week. Also arriving (arrived) this week is two SMD LED ropes, as a test. If you look below you'll see why the test was a success:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg_IzGosdO1wyWjtMzRTRoop8_MaHFfdw8IPLF5KDEFKNgK6NF5cHC9CtAsAF1UbfDFahUvlVzv-1uopJ0BEb2Sa6z4Iw_jqRE0Eq1bjs3IVZ38lfVWOEi4Itr6G-bftGE_kfZ24odj8/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg_IzGosdO1wyWjtMzRTRoop8_MaHFfdw8IPLF5KDEFKNgK6NF5cHC9CtAsAF1UbfDFahUvlVzv-1uopJ0BEb2Sa6z4Iw_jqRE0Eq1bjs3IVZ38lfVWOEi4Itr6G-bftGE_kfZ24odj8/s400/IMG_0055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A close up of the lower peninsula backboard - those holes will be sanded/filled before painting, as well as the installation of some small beading to affix the LED's to.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtBMUHEHMid-j3ChmQ_f14ONwMVaR3vPqX5yOySVRVsbBtZZTwBoT4QGC49AWpYE4vm6-bQK-e76-JYE3fbNzdEXM8uucyVbf1v_PJyBjp-pca60yGO7V7T3Oq7T5wGHlSf8RRU2z2dc/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtBMUHEHMid-j3ChmQ_f14ONwMVaR3vPqX5yOySVRVsbBtZZTwBoT4QGC49AWpYE4vm6-bQK-e76-JYE3fbNzdEXM8uucyVbf1v_PJyBjp-pca60yGO7V7T3Oq7T5wGHlSf8RRU2z2dc/s400/IMG_0056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A better view not showing the LED's, which the Fascia will eventually perform.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So now its time to order another 8 LED ropes (5 metres per rope) at $20 each, and they will all be connected to a single 5A transformer. I plan on also buying a remote-controlled switch so when the garage opens, I can use the remote to switch the lights on without making my way down the back of the layout in the dark.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm still deciding on buying a rake of these as well:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blmamodels.com/images/store/ARMNN1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" naa="true" src="http://www.blmamodels.com/images/store/ARMNN1a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A reefer train is exactly why there is a loop around the yard, to store this train... decisions decisions!</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Next weekend I'll be away, so the week after I'll be ordering up to catch up to start track laying by October...</span></div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-23436143431736548042011-08-10T01:59:00.000-07:002011-08-10T01:59:31.559-07:00Weekend Update 07/08/11 - Primary Benchwork Complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmlGJW99q0-mmGQeTl6ezmgBBzX68M0MFgE0zrYgAv6358UXhZcwUiQxRjJpsFEVwWxae6Cp0tLGwU-YdgV90ZSG9h29yyNoFM-Xwr29AqchNOT0lF3okSq-B_VcNb2Hx3UX8Vp2t6lo/s1600/IMG_0033%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmlGJW99q0-mmGQeTl6ezmgBBzX68M0MFgE0zrYgAv6358UXhZcwUiQxRjJpsFEVwWxae6Cp0tLGwU-YdgV90ZSG9h29yyNoFM-Xwr29AqchNOT0lF3okSq-B_VcNb2Hx3UX8Vp2t6lo/s400/IMG_0033%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is complete! after 4 weeks or so of cutting, glueing and screwing the benchwork is finally complete, along with the most tedious part, the peninsula. In the end I'm happy with it, it is rock solid and all that needs to be added are the two tables supporting the helixes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have also started to clamp the masonite backboards in place, as a test fit for this weekends job of installing them. Some will need ~5mm taken off as they are slightly too wide.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKVGD15repNlmEKHGvrNi90s0p9_eWWaFVSIkThZZtoB_pHYvAHSRwmGzfRscMwWKHDbFsNVMWtJmIoRNzP6gi-xp4TodFSxcX7hT54toIosBlzN87TYUGqIPPGACeb0amJvlNJFjVvc/s1600/IMG_0044%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKVGD15repNlmEKHGvrNi90s0p9_eWWaFVSIkThZZtoB_pHYvAHSRwmGzfRscMwWKHDbFsNVMWtJmIoRNzP6gi-xp4TodFSxcX7hT54toIosBlzN87TYUGqIPPGACeb0amJvlNJFjVvc/s400/IMG_0044%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpkJUJ3z_mAdq9GUp7e7G-UUoSB8uJ8k38I3iTr6XffmdqxjI4x2rTQ7FG_YSbvL8sJcNPXMQg9J7MsD-mEd-wdUQ-m2Gdu9UpWJAA6ZB-8mYmk-Wv83nJYuDeW5csc_wzKxvPR8JN1s/s1600/IMG_0048%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpkJUJ3z_mAdq9GUp7e7G-UUoSB8uJ8k38I3iTr6XffmdqxjI4x2rTQ7FG_YSbvL8sJcNPXMQg9J7MsD-mEd-wdUQ-m2Gdu9UpWJAA6ZB-8mYmk-Wv83nJYuDeW5csc_wzKxvPR8JN1s/s400/IMG_0048%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this week to take delivery of two 5m LED strips for testing the lighting setup, if they work I will order the rest in the coming weeks - the plan is to install and paint the masonite backboards this weekend/next week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">In Other News...</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have placed an order for 2 pieces of flextrack to begin programming my decoders for the one Loco I have at present - a Bachman SD45. It will be fitted with a TCS M1 decoder which has also been ordered.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have pre-ordered some 36" wheelsets (200) from Fox Valley Models to use for block detection, I will fit two metal wheels to each car as they will be used for block detection only.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have also ordered some Micro Trains barber wheelsets to convert my walthers stack cars to micro-trains trucks and couplers, along with some couplers for the SD45. In the same order I decided to get a wheel cleaner and a height gauge - If I'm going to start I might as well start properly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Until next weekend....</span></div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-81621305162635786402011-08-03T16:19:00.000-07:002011-08-03T16:19:00.677-07:00Weekend Update 04/08/11<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend gone I managed to join the two halves of the layout together, and build two modules down the centre - 2040mm to be precise.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zUeHp749PrkTDmgpOWjWt2OXDE6ONVWjXea2qCCHKrz4mpxsYubRLfA0ePi8VdjQ1qjseA9ZrXRH-_DvZ3FaTCYvIBiQugNjGdJ9RTP4P0zeeZazSluZ_cV3rUG-yZS65hUZDf9wlRE/s1600/Photo+30-07-11+21+07+06.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zUeHp749PrkTDmgpOWjWt2OXDE6ONVWjXea2qCCHKrz4mpxsYubRLfA0ePi8VdjQ1qjseA9ZrXRH-_DvZ3FaTCYvIBiQugNjGdJ9RTP4P0zeeZazSluZ_cV3rUG-yZS65hUZDf9wlRE/s400/Photo+30-07-11+21+07+06.jpeg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first two modules goes in, 810mm each</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmdFsrOTdGGvLqc8DlNxlY0KXRU7aUbPHgF-1r93zEKCkVv0g3LCJTE23mgk9eGtXaJppVGjvd5JsXOI7WMWihmIF03x-2uFjDMWytMHOMCla0KSoCFPN57jlmV_Hdjp5CVxHIosxRIE/s1600/Photo+30-07-11+21+07+16.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmdFsrOTdGGvLqc8DlNxlY0KXRU7aUbPHgF-1r93zEKCkVv0g3LCJTE23mgk9eGtXaJppVGjvd5JsXOI7WMWihmIF03x-2uFjDMWytMHOMCla0KSoCFPN57jlmV_Hdjp5CVxHIosxRIE/s400/Photo+30-07-11+21+07+16.jpeg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another view from the other side</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm65MyRpDaMazDT4hQ9imF8A7f2levMJWHg8RGyee4llfCZPjK9bzQznEV_PkdWbxcQY0Pgg53BmWBNou8c_q6B7nU-PBsFZPwygLydI7WVilJ8irOea86T3WS7TrAbLkxmYMoas0_Q0/s1600/Photo+30-07-11+21+07+34.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm65MyRpDaMazDT4hQ9imF8A7f2levMJWHg8RGyee4llfCZPjK9bzQznEV_PkdWbxcQY0Pgg53BmWBNou8c_q6B7nU-PBsFZPwygLydI7WVilJ8irOea86T3WS7TrAbLkxmYMoas0_Q0/s400/Photo+30-07-11+21+07+34.jpeg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front view as it heads down the centre</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUH74HiyNTgoYjMPmEbC6-OFaCJrd_XpHRhM0U8txRwMhRGlFpGfPpw_atdZRnZim9UaE-t5E-aHTKIANt1fp2gT86k9rHSnANcIqZfgDtfwYm5N82-zJ2dIp9PGapAmejXsXLH0qXSo/s1600/Photo+1-08-11+8+38+19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUH74HiyNTgoYjMPmEbC6-OFaCJrd_XpHRhM0U8txRwMhRGlFpGfPpw_atdZRnZim9UaE-t5E-aHTKIANt1fp2gT86k9rHSnANcIqZfgDtfwYm5N82-zJ2dIp9PGapAmejXsXLH0qXSo/s400/Photo+1-08-11+8+38+19.jpeg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The finished product - two completed centre modules</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also managed to sketch out on the floor in pencil the approximate ending point of the peninsula, and the Helixes. At this time I realised that it is going to be a rather tight fit between the helix and peninsula for people to squeeze through - so to counter this, I am going to sit the helix on a circular table, and either opt for:</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">-A 2.5% grade 76cm wide Helix, with 12.74 and 14" curves</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">-a 2% grade 90cm wide Helix, with 15 and 16.5" radius curves</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Both helixes come in kit form from <a href="http://www.ashlintrains.com/">http://www.ashlintrains.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">From my research I've found that Most locos will run around 12" curves, although they may have a bit of bogie overhang. since it is not part of the visible part of the layout i'm not fussed, but a unit coal train grinding up a 2.5% grade on a tight continuous curve may have problems with tackling the grade. If that is the case helpers will have to be added, which is just another bit to add to the fun of operations. But if I can fit it comfortably, I'll add the larger helix instead. Once the peninsula is finished I'll get a better idea of sizing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This weekend all major benchwork should be completed, so will post some photos of hopefully a semi-started layout. I've also ordered some LED SMD lights to test for lighting the layout, as well as a 5Amp transformer to power the lot of them, definitely a lot more energy efficient than flouros.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The next stage in the build will be to install and paint the backscenes, which will be done over the next few weeks - watch this space...</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-72628176709977511622011-07-25T06:20:00.000-07:002011-07-25T06:20:38.317-07:00Updates, I have a few.<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So once again I've neglected to write anything, so I'll post a few quick updates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1. The CTC Panel is finished. 4946 Lines of code, thats without extra features I plan to add later on. However the base code is done, and with the testing ive done I can say fairly safely its ready for the layout.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2. The Benchwork is going up! Using strips of hardwood ply ripped into 75mm strips, and Non Structural 90x45mm Rails for the legs:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5m6kYW_X0A3h3vt0l9Cr5cFJyDP0JeRvuu5d-4P48l3EUWUtvGBb83SS-16spjE_PkWxRcgCHeIw33iS52z585PMgQPpSm5FC_F-mkaIAX-g-ZM41KXuABukHudoM1S9gYNEPe3Nxqg/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5m6kYW_X0A3h3vt0l9Cr5cFJyDP0JeRvuu5d-4P48l3EUWUtvGBb83SS-16spjE_PkWxRcgCHeIw33iS52z585PMgQPpSm5FC_F-mkaIAX-g-ZM41KXuABukHudoM1S9gYNEPe3Nxqg/s400/IMG_0019.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right Hand Side</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsM-7hbjXz1VtrJYVAEiDsjwHfpOanoxbacVg3J_2xrkXxCfQrV8GDl_uCp6rJlsHVaByoKsDxNRMSARTPNVS0Jfv_KhVvg6tJlLlbJuhCCWwsb91-frFAKekR7PTPUNU6t17KLdRzQU/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsM-7hbjXz1VtrJYVAEiDsjwHfpOanoxbacVg3J_2xrkXxCfQrV8GDl_uCp6rJlsHVaByoKsDxNRMSARTPNVS0Jfv_KhVvg6tJlLlbJuhCCWwsb91-frFAKekR7PTPUNU6t17KLdRzQU/s400/IMG_0018.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right Hand Side</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7E_FsJQmUsy2bELF0GgeLuGrzLdc7X0het7FUSBUIHt5FuUxOXMzZWzhBxjiGnqPFc0nYZvJ_u2gLDjJzLwJ4qWBZciyxaLX5RwLnpjLyd3iDvj2TlqTbJs3OADy2d34rOyMetqzOr0/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7E_FsJQmUsy2bELF0GgeLuGrzLdc7X0het7FUSBUIHt5FuUxOXMzZWzhBxjiGnqPFc0nYZvJ_u2gLDjJzLwJ4qWBZciyxaLX5RwLnpjLyd3iDvj2TlqTbJs3OADy2d34rOyMetqzOr0/s400/IMG_0017.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall view from just outside the garage</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Next weekend its time to bring the peninsula down the centre, followed by the two helixes, which I am procuring from overseas as kits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3. Here is a video of some new code I'm working on, to track train numbers as they progress around the layout.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oFIuD9CLVVU" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">4. Here is one place I would really like to visit: The RMC in Sydney. Slightly larger than my own panel :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/07/21/1226099/362916-rail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/07/21/1226099/362916-rail.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-61053808796477811092011-06-24T02:54:00.000-07:002011-06-24T02:57:49.961-07:00Two Videos - A Demo of the CTC Panel and SPAD Detection<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a short post for now, kind of jumping the gun in the design process but oh well :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Two short YouTube Videos, one displaying a basic rundown of the panel:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ll0iiYyeA6k" width="425"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The second video is a demo of the SPAD Detection system - still in testing, and only enabled if the operator chooses so.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TrnrVxOdmio" width="425"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thats it for now, I continue to code away at the system which currently weighs in at around 2200 lines. I am also writing code to support the tracking of train numbers as they move around the track, to enable the dispatcher to easily track the trains without referring to another board.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Enjoy!</span></div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057515627203041860.post-43664964354155976792011-06-20T05:29:00.000-07:002011-06-20T05:29:46.140-07:00And so, it begins.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I guess I better start by introducing this site... It will be a progress log of sorts, of my layout currently under design/construction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The current track plan looks a little something like this - since it is a 2 level layout, the diagram is in two parts:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Lower Level:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyqdW6qE4OYyRFlQK_liS4bToEcBLhLlEPNHHkuX-qm3ZXJHD_a_0a1xyQWwYeN9jx79Kl1dinoO_9reJQ6Xevgzj2abhr6TA29NfiG03lEf6VS1fT_FKGFd8inpPVi6vZnKtGRosrEg/s1600/Draft+Plan+v1.3b+CURRENT+PLANLower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyqdW6qE4OYyRFlQK_liS4bToEcBLhLlEPNHHkuX-qm3ZXJHD_a_0a1xyQWwYeN9jx79Kl1dinoO_9reJQ6Xevgzj2abhr6TA29NfiG03lEf6VS1fT_FKGFd8inpPVi6vZnKtGRosrEg/s640/Draft+Plan+v1.3b+CURRENT+PLANLower.jpg" t8="true" width="398" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upper Level:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXIBpOrSvR7wrMfXh1-NVpRq_XP9SdSSR4OPxQ0ECm8DJX7F4uEDlMyp59LRHeIOpxjqF5TVZboB3IhukFWqm8ac0xyn85mV51f77acyVxuTKoYexwv48m-DYQkjzKJxAYD4jTfC4KCA/s1600/Draft+Plan+v1.3b+CURRENT+PLANUpper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXIBpOrSvR7wrMfXh1-NVpRq_XP9SdSSR4OPxQ0ECm8DJX7F4uEDlMyp59LRHeIOpxjqF5TVZboB3IhukFWqm8ac0xyn85mV51f77acyVxuTKoYexwv48m-DYQkjzKJxAYD4jTfC4KCA/s640/Draft+Plan+v1.3b+CURRENT+PLANUpper.jpg" t8="true" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Those two double-track circles below are helixes - more on those later..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I hope to write as I begin construction, but these first few posts will be the design of the layout, and how it came to be what it is above.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I think I first started on this path late last year, when I purchased a copy of the CAD program AnyRail. I can personally recommend it, it may seem simple but for my needs it was immensley powerful, and just what I needed to get some ideas down. After toying with various designs a house move steered me in the direction of single car garage - approximately 2.8m by 4.5m of space. Since I wanted a bit of running length in my trains I opted for N Scale, namely American Modern-Image UP/BNSF. Why both? It gives me an excuse to buy more locos and have more trains on the layout - I know of some areas where BNSF and UP share track, so that is the area I am going for. Nowhere in particular, when I start the scenery I'll worry about the locale then. I'm not much of a purist when it comes to the running of trains, however I like to keep some degree of realism.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Control Frameworks</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">With running the trains comes the underlying components to make it all work. I'm planning on using the following:</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Construction Materials</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-NCE ProCab (have a PowerCab that can be easily upgraded, and will acquire some wireless throttles)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Atlas Code 55 Turnouts, #5, #7, and #10.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Micro Engineering Code 55 Concrete/Wooden Tie weathered flextrack. After speaking to some people about Micro Engineering track they remarked it can be stiff and the way the rail is set into the ties is a little weaker than say Peco, where they sink the rail into the tie. But I like the look of Micro Engineering, and it may take some getting used to considering my prior experience, but I like a challenge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Up until recently I was going to opt for Spline Roadbed, however I have decided to use 9mm ply since it is easier to put up and less time-consuming. I plan to use a 1:1 copy of my CAD drawings, so this will ease the construction of curves and trackage.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Signalling</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I've given Signalling its own category, as it seems to warrant it given the amount of time and research I have put into it already! The signalling system I am planning to use is by a company called CTI Electronics. After looking at other DCC-based systems I started to really like CTI's solution, since all logic is coded manually. With the software design experience I have I found I could read the manual and launch straight into coding panels, with signals, switches and block detection. I originally started with some basic interlockings (single line CTC track, Loop Interlocking) and have now begun coding the layouts logic systems before its even started! I've found it has helped greatly. Below you will see the layout converted into a modern CTC Panel:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWp3mDbscoYkGExwLvlOk6ImFj1TPotobhUmCcwdH1NdOU8P6iecdbwf0VrNjPKRWgMVEBvpyBRNL_NxrLJ8vA8E2cd3rTO2qE3jrFcPnUsKIOYfzPR0L1TmECXFW4EnGRWGJHnBpkD8/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWp3mDbscoYkGExwLvlOk6ImFj1TPotobhUmCcwdH1NdOU8P6iecdbwf0VrNjPKRWgMVEBvpyBRNL_NxrLJ8vA8E2cd3rTO2qE3jrFcPnUsKIOYfzPR0L1TmECXFW4EnGRWGJHnBpkD8/s400/Untitled.png" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;">I've found that by drawing the panel has influenced another aspect of my design, operational capability.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Operational Capability</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After building several layouts in the past, I've found that once I've completed the initial construction and scenery, I get bored with seeing a train go round and round. Whats the point, apart from watching it go round and round? gets a little boring after a while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So this time round, I wanted to bring in something to sustain interest - <em>Operations</em>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Operations I liken to a game like Chess - the layout becomes a puzzle, and it is up to you to solve it. This layout is designed for <em>Moving Freight</em>, not running around in circles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">How do I plan to move freight? well so far I have drafted an operational schedule of trains. I did not want to move forward with the plan unless I could get operational capability out of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm going to stop here since I can see my post is rapidly switching between subjects, I might edit each component into individual posts later - thats the whole idea of blogs right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-Aaron.</span>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336101020556245198noreply@blogger.com0