Appalachian Southern

Tonight I moved appalachiansouthern.com to its own server away from wordpress.com. If you are having difficulties I guess the DNS hasn’t propogated. If you see this, I guess it is working. You should see a new design / layout for the site. Maybe you guys could give me some feedback if this is actually working or not. Thanks.

Here are some of the finishing touches on version 8, but I just now realized that I left out some switches needed between the two mains to work the city areas and stub ended yards.  I still need to add the city and industry names for both levels. Still plenty to do.

Version 8 Upper Level

These fluorescent bulbs are not wired yet, but it was good to get them mounted under the upper staging level.  It is always nice to see something work as planned.  These are 5500K T8 bulbs.

Lighting Installed

I have to admit I have lived in my cave for too long. Not long ago, I considered an online forum to be the only useful resource for N scale related projects and ideas.  Once Appalachian Southern came into existence a few months ago, I began to realize that there was a wealth of information available on the internet that I had simply overlooked.

One perfect example is N Scale Limited. With a beautiful website layout and quality content, be sure not to miss all the interesting material you can find there.  Chris Brimley, one of the founders, is a source of some great scratch building ideas.  One in particular caught my attention; entitled Scratch Building 101: Sinclair Station.   I am not exactly a scratch builder of anything except bench work Not only does Chris provided detailed step by step instructions, but he provides detailed research and history regarding the prototype. Very interesting indeed. Great work!

Hopefully this article will help me break into the art of  scratch building structures for my layout. It is likely that I will need a few hundred structures, and it seems most manufacturers aren’t concerned with modern era diesel layouts.

So, today I am going to order the parts and I will keep you updated on my progress. This looks to be a fun project.

Yesterday I made a significant miscalculation. I did not leave enough separation between the lower and upper level. So the task of the morning was to raise the upper level to a more reasonable height. Now the upper level is just below eye level for my height of  6′ 3″.

The process of moving the upper level upward was easy enough, just remove ~500 screws and replace them after moving each piece.  The process was not as bad as it sounds. These are the measurements I settled on after the move:

Lower Level Height : 47″

Upper Level Height: 68-1/2″

Distance Between Levels: 17-1/2″

These dimensions aren’t correct for everyone, but due to my height I had to raise the upper level just a bit to get the desired effect of eye level viewing. I hope it all works out as I am not moving it again.

I have the plywood under-layment just sitting in place.  I don’t think I will fasten it down until I get all the holes drilled for the DCC bus lines and get the fluorescent bulbs, ballasts, and wiring in place.  I thought I was going to lay some track this week, but I may just focus on getting the lower level lighting completed. As the track plans for both levels are nearing completion, things are going to get busy here really soon. I just have to remind myself that this is a marathon and not a sprint.

Upper Level Bench Work

Here is version 7 of the upper level plan. Looking good. Click for a larger image.

Upper Level Version 7

I added a few details to the upper level track plan, version 6. Click for a larger version.

Upper Level Version 6

I was able to get the upper level staging bench work completed today. I cut circular notches so my fluorescent bulbs will recess up into the bench work. I think it will work out well.  I am cutting plywood to fit now and need to go out and purchase some cork sheeting for this staging area.

Plywood will only be used in the staging, yard, and city areas. The rest will be cut out and supported on risers for the proper elevation.

Neala is bored and ready to go home and eat.

Round Notches for Fluorescent Bulbs

Upper Staging Level Overview

Sorry for skipping versions 1 through 4 of the upper level track plan. They actually didn’t have a very long half-life. Anyway, here is a rough layout of the upper level. Subject to change of course.  Click the image for a larger version.

Upper Level Version 5

Quite a warm afternoon; a great day to make some progress. It is nice and cool here in the office and Neala is laying in front of a cage fan on her bed keeping cool. I did well today to finish the reworked staging bench work. Here are some pics from the new 5D Mark II. Nice.

I still need to do the lift-out section where you walk into the staging area, but there is no rush for that at this point.

I am pretty sure I will be laying some staging track this week at some point.

Finished the Staging Bench Work Modifications

Another Angle

A Wide Angle Room Shot

Neala (aka Tinkie)