August - September Update

I ended up combining the August Update with September. Progress was hit and miss in August, and I didn't get much accomplished as I has hoped. This post will be a longer update.

In my last update, I noted that I was experimenting with a mechanism for remote uncoupling in the Violet Alley area. I tried a number of different magnets with limited success. I found the cylindrical magnets were the most powerful for the space. My goal is to have remote uncoupling from underneath the track, not visible from above. 

The mechanism developed will be 3D printed. I'll use RC control cables along with a mechanism on the fascia to swing the magnet into place. Below is the first version of the printed magnet mechanism mounted on a piece of scrap for testing.

The results from the initial testing were not what I had hoped for. 

Issue 1 is that the magnets are only powerful enough to uncouple when touching the bottom of the ties. The cars do uncouple, but I'd prefer something more positive/powerful.

Issue 2 is that the magnets are not powerful enough to consistently cause the couplers to delay. As delay is critical for my remote uncoupling requirements, this is another miss. 

I'm back to searching for magnets strong enough to provide the result I'm looking to have. I'm satisfied with the mechanism and just need to find the 'right' magnets. Ideally, they will be strong enough to uncouple and delay from below the homabed. Results TBD.

Continued construction of the main peninsula was the theme in August and September. The photo below shows risers being added to both sides of the peninsula. Everything is carefully leveled.

You will also notice the use of cardboard below to protect the staging tracks during construction. 

The next trick was to get the curved pieces of drywall in place. It is significantly easier to cut the corners first and then add the straight pieces. It's also a much more efficient use of material. As noted previously, all of the corner/curved pieces of drywall are plywood backed to provide some extra strength and create a mounting surface for the fascia.

The pictures below show the length of the peninsula. It's not done yet! I still have another 12+ feet to be added. The final section will include the helix descending to staging at the end of the peninsula.

Once again, my laptop shows up in a photo. My layout plan was developed and is stored on the laptop. All design was completed using Visio. The laptop has become a critical tool for benchwork and laying track. A lot of measuring goes on in Visio to ensure I'm dimensioning in accordance with the plan. Not everything translates exactly, so adjustments are made.

Below is a track plan image of the area. This includes the photos above and those in the majority of this update. 

The below pictures are of the roadbed and track. On the opposite side of the benchwork is Taylor Yard.

At the end of the straightedge you will notice a tool. It is a compass from MicroMark that enables easy creation of radii from 3.5" to 6'. I've used this for every curve on the layout with great success. I'd recommend it. It's clearly gone up in price since I purchased mine, but I do recommend it. 

https://www.micromark.com/Rotape-Compass-3-1-2-Inch-to-6-Feet-Capacity

With the mainline penciled onto the sub-roadbed, I began installing the homabed. 

As noted previously, I'm using 0.24" homabed for the mainline, 0.125" for the sidings. This will provide levels of distinction for the track. Transitions happen on a 1.5% grade. 

I used the same grade on the Exeter Branch with great success.

In the picture to the right, you will notice that the mainline is now becoming double track. In the upper right is the mainline on the other side of the peninsula headed toward Taylor Yard. 

The picture below is another perspective. 

Putting down more roadbed. Below, I'm using turnouts as reference points for sidings and spurs to aid in the arrangement and installation of the homabed.

The beginning of the intermodal facility to the right. Getting the turnouts arranged optimally was a bit of a challenge. 

The intermodal facility is four tracks. There will be enough room for two Mi-Jacks along with Piggy-Packers.

One of the designs I went back and forth on was a storage track for motive power. In this case, the question was on which side of the road did I want to put the turnout.

I opted to have the storage track turnout come off the ladder. It didn't have a noticeable impact to the intermodal track lengths. In the picture to the right is storage track bending to the left toward the camera, 

You may notice that I started laying the inbound track.

The storage track didn't cross the road. No chickens were involved in the process.

To the left, you can see the inbound and outbound tracks coming from the intermodal yard on the right side of the picture. The left side has new industry spurs in place and the continuation of the mainline. Similar to the prototype, there are a lot of industries served in the area. More turnouts will be added.

 

To the right are the inbound and outbound tracks for the intermodal yard. My Triple 57 draw bar connected flats I use for testing are also visible. Testing is typically just giving them a good shove. They are light and long. If they roll well, then I'm happy with the track. I shared a video of them rolling last year. Free rolling is an understatement for these.

More spurs going in. The track crew has left their equipment strewn all about. 

To the right the mainline roadbed is nearing the end of the benchwork. 

You can also see the intermodal tracks coming together. The roadbed to the right of the intermodal tracks (next to the laptop) is the main going around Taylor Yard. 

To the left is the end of the line waiting for more benchwork to be able to head to Taylor Yard. 

Since we hit the end of the benchwork, where to work next? Taylor isn't ready for track. I had some additional mudding and painting to make the yard ready for track. I also have to drill needed holes for switch machines near the Taylor turntable. This will be for a crossover between mains and the yard ladder.

The solution was to move construction to the railroad west side of Taylor Yard and begin laying track. The roadbed was already in place. The pictures are below. 

Still more work to do moving railroad west.

Still more work to do moving railroad east to connect with Taylor Yard.

Clearly I have more benchwork to do. Construction of this railroad is done in phases. Build the benchwork frame, Install risers and drywall sub-roadbed. Install homabed and paint. Then track can be laid. Next feeder installation is done. Last is test running on DC to ensure the track functions correctly.

The railroad will be 100% DCC when complete, The wiring for all the track bus' will be done once the main level is completed.

In my last update I had posted about converting 280' of steel to upper level stanchions. Now the stanchions have been welded and ready for construction of the upper level to begin in late October. Below are the completed stanchions.

That's it for the August/September update. I'm happy with the progress, but it's never fast enough. The velocity of progress will accelerate sharply by the end of October. 

I hope you've enjoyed the update. I welcome your feedback.