Appalachian Southern

Being that is Friday, I thought I would start my own version of the weekend roll-by. Not that I have a whole lot rolling yet, but here goes. This will just give me an opportunity to play around and take some fun pictures.

Misc Photos

Misc Photos

Valium is completely overrated… I was looking forward to the calming effects it was supposed to have. It is funny how Benadryl can knock me on my butt, but Valium does nothing….  With a sore mouth,  I spent the morning gluing track and inserting filler cross ties at my track joints. The scene is improving every day. Unless my plans change for some reason, tomorrow will be tortoise switch machines and DCC installation day.

Filler Cross Ties Improve the Looks of Things

Today is not a good day. This afternoon, I have to go have  endodontic therapy performed on my rear upper tooth.  I  have never really had any dental problems to speak of except for this one tooth. It has always been a problem. First a crown and now this. The pinnacle of dental fear for me and most others according the the wiki page.  I don’t get scared about too much, but this has me frazzled.   It would have likely been better off  had I not looked at the wiki page and viewed all of the detailed pictures of the procedure.  I have a Valium waiting for me at 2:00pm and the procedure is at 3:00pm.  One of the guys from the office is going to be driving me there and back so that my fellow drivers will be safe.  My wife is working today and tomorrow which means she won’t be home until Friday night. Hence, I am left to fend for myself and no one is going to be here to listen to me complain. I guess I will have to have my own pity party.

My Mom just called to check on me. She said that they were headed out of town to Savannah, GA. They are going to attend a reunion for my Dad and all of his buddies from Vietnam. They get together every two years. Oh well, I am on my own for this one.

So, until I recover from this, here are a couple of shots from the layout. This end of the staging yard is almost done now. On to the far end.

Turnouts Complete in Staging

Alternate Angle

Happy Mother’s Day everyone. I hope you were able to spend some time with your mother. My mother just arrived so I am finishing up here for our dinner tonight.  Here is a progress photo from today. I am pleased with the progress.

Working on the Yard with #7 Turnouts

I admit it, I used the Dremel tool today without safety glasses. One of the dumbest things in the world you can do, and an easy way for a nasty eye injury. I, of all people, should know better.

Earlier, I cut the rails so that the drop gate / through-bridge could open and close. It worked marvelously. The staging lines got a little longer today. The now infamous MPLX test car saw another day of action with the index finger motive power. An extremely productive couple of hours this afternoon.

Functional Walk-Through

MPLX 1048 Test Car

Atlas code 55 finally made its way onto the layout today in the staging area. I figured I would do the complicated part first.  I haven’t cut the track at the gate yet. The adhesive is still drying.

First Code 55 Atlas Track Laid on the Layout

Atlas Code 55 N Scale on Drop Gate

#7's Ready for Tortoises

Having only a little time this morning to work on the layout, the final steps were completed prior to laying the first sections of Atlas Code 55.  Some cutting made the walk-through bridge / gate look much better.  You can see in the pictures below, the track lines are now drawn in.  A three inch piece of 1/8 Masonite is invaluable for drawing curves as long as you can find a friend or spouse to help you hold it in place.

All of the lines for the staging track turned out really well. They are located on 1-3/8″ centers.  The six foot metal ruler I was using is also proving to be invaluable for drawing the straight sections of the staging area.

The next step will be to start laying some track. If everything goes as planned, the first sections will be installed this evening. My wife has to work late, so this will be the perfect opportunity to get it done.

Modifications Made to Walk-Through Gate

Guidelines to Use When Laying Staging Track

Staging Area (Lower Level)

Bridge Locking Device (One of Two)

The Look of the Staging Area Prior to Track

After some long days lately,  here are  a few  pictures of the layout. The homasote was installed in the upper and lower level staging areas.  I plan to lay the atlas code 55 track right on top of it.  The lights are working out well above the lower staging level. I was very pleased to say the least.  Not an inch of it is dark. The lights are so bright, it is almost difficult to photograph. The plan for today is to get to work on building several #7 switches so I can begin laying track as soon as possible.

Update 05/12/2009

A reader asked for the specifics on the lighting setup; here are the details.

I bought a four bulb florescent ballast and some low profile single lamp holders. Here are the part numbers:

Ballast: ADVANCE (4)F32T8 RS/IS Centium ICN-4P32-SC Instant Start Electronic Ballast

Lamp Holders: ADVANCE Model FRBP Medium Bi-Pin Lamp Holders Low Profile

I mounted each ballast that I would need under the bench work. There is a wiring diagram on the ballast. I ran the appropriate wires to the ends of each bulb, most of the wire had to be extended due to my bulb spacing. I ran a switched power lead to each ballast. One ballast for every four bulbs. Of course the one switch on the wall turns all the bulbs on. I will just continue this around the room as the bench work progresses.

Homasote Installed in Staging Upper and Lower

Lower Staging Area Lighting

What the Room Looks Like Now with Lighting

I just finished drawing in some of the staging lines. 1.5″ track spacing in the yard.

Saturday Yard Work

I have good news to report this morning. The wiring in the yard is complete and all the tortoises and DS64 stationary decoders are functional. Even though it seemed the wiring would never end, it concluded this morning. It makes me very happy to be able to move on to something else now.  I was like a kid running the CSX GP38-2 this morning. I even got a little adventurous and pulled MTLX 1048 through the turnouts. I was thrilled to find no problems with the track work!  I haven’t soldered my rail joints yet, but that can happen any time now.

I have attached some photos of the completed wiring and the first locomotive and the MTLX unit.  Overall, I think my background painting is going to work out well. I didn’t have to edit the photo at all.

CSX 2733 GP38-2 & MTLX 1048

Finished Wiring Switches 9, 10, 11

Finished Wiring Switches 5,6,7,8