Appalachian Southern

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

The project of the day was to complete walk-through access for the lower level staging area. The results worked out better than I expected. I only have wooden blocks serving as gate ‘locks’ right now.  Tomorrow, I will need to replace these with a locking mechanism of some sort.  This gate should be very handy in the future.  The top level will just be an easy duck-under.

Walk-Through Gate in Closed Position

Walk-Through in Open Position

Closing the Walk-Through Gate

Walk-Through Gate Alternate Angle

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

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

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

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)

This will be the last version of the evening. Getting late here. Thanks for all the help Mike.

Version 13

Here is a much simpler version… Click the photo for a larger version.

Version 3

I was so happy to hear that Captain Richard Phillips was rescued / escaped today. Those three Somali’s got what was coming to them. I wish Captain Richards a safe return home.  Good job to the US Navy that took care of things.

All the hard issues are worked out with the bench work now. All the walk-way clearances worked out and all is good. Now I am just filling in the dots.  Since the floors are so out of level in this room, you just can’t measure up from the floor. I had to work a level line around the room. To my delight, My ends met as I completed the loop around the room. You can see my ledger boards that completed the small part that I haven’t finished filling in.

Center Island Completed

Right Hand Side Bench Work

All in An Afternoon's Work

I ended up making much more progress today than I expected. I think the whole concept is working out well. I really need to get busy with the track plan and get it finalized. I am certainly going to have plenty of room for lots of track, that is for sure.  Should end up making some nice long trains.

I would appreciate your comments, I always look forward to reading them. Thank you.

Oh yeah, I setup my Twitter account today (@cshutchinson):

http://twitter.com/cshutchinson

Feel free to follow along and let me know if you happen to set up your account so I can follow along and read your tweets.

Helix Support Nearly Finished

Another Angle

Lower Level Down the Wall

This room is really big!

Behind the Helix

Progress on the center island

Another Angle

The Reverse Angle

Overall Shot

Interesting Persepctive

The last photograph really gives a good perspective on the size of the layout. It is going to be incredible.  The second level is going to make even more dynamic. Thanks for looking. Have a wonderful Easter.