Hi,
This is an introduction to what I call fun. It's called model railroading and I've been doing it a long time. That doesn't mean I'm very good at it; it just means I have a real love for it and it's part of what keeps me sane in this ever increasingly insane world outside. I'm going to begin by sharing three photos I took just to share with a Bluelighter back in July or August.
These shots are very rough so please forgive the lack of quality; they were just to give someone a quick peek into my new (at that time) train. I promise that in in the future I'll try to improve the quality
There isn't much to look at as far as structures and scenery but it will be an urban layout loosely based on the freight operations in the south and west sides of Chicago. I wanted to get all the trackage in the junction working solidly and dependably before starting the structures and scenery. That much is done and the trains run reliably on 100% of the layout.
There is still much to do yet before structures can be permanently installed. The two signal bridges, for example, have four wires each signal wires for each three color signal head, (Red, Yellow, Green and Common that have to interface with a detection / logic system. That's 32 wires for that junction alone.
The East Yard is the eastern terminus of this point to point railroad that mostly handles delivery of freight to industries that require a railroad spur track. The first two tracks (industry spurs) will eventually be shortened to allow the back two (main line) track to curve and connect to an eventual extension of the layout.
This curves around heading East until it reaches the interchange junction where local trains connect with the industry tracks and another railroad. The two cantilevered signal bridges control permission in the junction both ways.
This is the view of the junction looking westbound. The two left tracks(Main line) will eventually curve to the right allowing extension of the railroad heading eastbound.
So That's where my diorama stood at that moment. It was mainly about getting the junction fitted and getting some trains running to have some fun. The tracks were tack soldered and spiked every yard (meter) or so just to stabilize them for reliable operation.
I can presently run up to five independent engines (or consists) simultaneously using DCC controls with sound support.
I ran it like that right up to the end of the Holiday Season taking notes of traffic movement and possible changes as I experienced them.
More to come ...
This is an introduction to what I call fun. It's called model railroading and I've been doing it a long time. That doesn't mean I'm very good at it; it just means I have a real love for it and it's part of what keeps me sane in this ever increasingly insane world outside. I'm going to begin by sharing three photos I took just to share with a Bluelighter back in July or August.
These shots are very rough so please forgive the lack of quality; they were just to give someone a quick peek into my new (at that time) train. I promise that in in the future I'll try to improve the quality
There isn't much to look at as far as structures and scenery but it will be an urban layout loosely based on the freight operations in the south and west sides of Chicago. I wanted to get all the trackage in the junction working solidly and dependably before starting the structures and scenery. That much is done and the trains run reliably on 100% of the layout.
There is still much to do yet before structures can be permanently installed. The two signal bridges, for example, have four wires each signal wires for each three color signal head, (Red, Yellow, Green and Common that have to interface with a detection / logic system. That's 32 wires for that junction alone.
The East Yard is the eastern terminus of this point to point railroad that mostly handles delivery of freight to industries that require a railroad spur track. The first two tracks (industry spurs) will eventually be shortened to allow the back two (main line) track to curve and connect to an eventual extension of the layout.
This curves around heading East until it reaches the interchange junction where local trains connect with the industry tracks and another railroad. The two cantilevered signal bridges control permission in the junction both ways.
This is the view of the junction looking westbound. The two left tracks(Main line) will eventually curve to the right allowing extension of the railroad heading eastbound.
So That's where my diorama stood at that moment. It was mainly about getting the junction fitted and getting some trains running to have some fun. The tracks were tack soldered and spiked every yard (meter) or so just to stabilize them for reliable operation.
I can presently run up to five independent engines (or consists) simultaneously using DCC controls with sound support.
I ran it like that right up to the end of the Holiday Season taking notes of traffic movement and possible changes as I experienced them.
More to come ...
