You Take the High Road ...

Well, I got the track to Mill City complete except for the last few feet. I need the upper level installed so I can interface with it and then complete the spline work. The last few feet vary from one to ten splines until that interface occurs.

The process wasn't too hard, although having to reach across the yard all the time was challenging. After the glue had completely dried (about 20% water to 80% glue), I took a surform tool and mostly leveled the top. I still have a dip or two in some of the splines, but I'm going to use wood filler to level it and then will attach cork and track. However, the cork and track won't happen for a while as I tend to other efforts.

Now that our train club's Open House is over, I'm trying to work as much as possible on the layout while also prepping for the Winter Field Day ham radio event towards the end of January. I'm going to try to relearn Morse code so I can attempt that in the event.

However, back to the layout. I'm designing the supports for the electronics. I'm planning on installing the DCS100 command station and its power supply under the staging area but facing into the middle. It will only be a command station and not supply power to any of the tracks. One of the Digitrax PS2012E 20 amp power supplies, one of the DB210 boosters, and one of the PM74 power managers will be located under the Albany yard. These will supply power to the yard, the turntable (reversing capability), and the logging area of the upper deck. Initially, it will also take over the staging area from the command station until the second booster is installed.

The other set of the same electronics will be located under the Mill City/Yaquina Bay area at a later date. It will supply power to staging, Mill City, and Yaquina Bay. There is a reversing loop in Mill City to come back down the elevated track that may need to be powered by this group.

After the first electronics are installed and tested in conjunction with the command station, I'm going to focus on building turnouts, making mockups of some structures, and cleaning up the wiring under the layout. While it is generally neat, there is too much slack in many of the wires, and the drooping looks tacky and can get caught when working on the area. I'm going to try a different attachment method with zip ties in some areas to reduce the clutter. In addition, the location of the electronics may require moving some of the wires.

One other thing I've been thinking about is the area behind the elevated track before it goes into staging. A train disappears before it gets to the curve, almost six feet before it enters the backdrop. I'm considering creating some removable terrain made of plaster cloth with scenic materials, including trees on top. It would rest on some supports glued to the backdrop and the backside of the Masonite elevated track. Many details still need to be worked out, but this would allow for the rerailing or recovery of a train on the back track. Although that track has no turnouts and is working very well, stuff happens.

One more thing - I've determined that I need one more support for the backdrop that parallels the elevated track. I also need two or three more track supports. The last one of those won't be installed until the upper deck interface is located.