2012-03-28 Update

Been a while since the last post, but that doesn't mean no work has transpired- quite the opposite.  I have been working on my layout, and a few other projects besides- not the least of which is changing my website look a little bit.
So what's new on the layout?  Much!

Reverse loop:
I've been working through the lower reverse loop, working through track fitting (cutting flex track, acquiring and modifying turnouts, etc.).  My goal is to get the lower loop and the upper loop in the same state as the yard (roadbed and track down; painted and ready for scenic treatment) in the next couple months.  So the lower loop was the focus of late.

Track is mainly glued down, and I have installed (crudely, for now) an MRC Auto Reverse loop module like this one here.  I've also modified the track plan a bit, based on my test fitting.  I will update that graphic as well, but it keeps the industries served and the road access (love bridges, wanted to accomodate some) and most importantly fits.  I've run trains around the loop, and it seems to work great, which is really the idea.

2012-02-08 Update

More work on the layout this weekend, specifically on the yard loop. I built and installed a drawer for the controller; I also put hardboard fascia around the layout too. Layout fascia is Masonite hardboard, smooth side out. I filled the joints with a few different things, depending on the gap size: wood filler (DAP plastic wood); or latex caulk for the narrower gaps. My carpentry skills aren't that refined (or I'm just too lazy to sweat every inch) so it's not flawless; but I do believe that a good coat of paint will cover a lot of sins!

2012-01-23 Update

Well, another weekend of progress on the pike. Actually, there was only limited progress, but some important things did get done regards to the primary goal of laying and wiring track around the yard section of the layout. A couple of shipments of turnouts arrived, which enabled me to test-fit a few links between the main and the yard and start cutting up flextrack to fit. So there I was, test-fitting my pieces and adding some crude wiring connections to start seeing trains run (that's the goal, after all). So around the loco went, and I ran into the yard, then wham, stopped dead and the DCC controller shut down. Uh oh, a short somewhere. That's weird, I thought to myself- it's a simple loop, and I reoriented the whole yard to avoid just this sort of thing. A veteran would know what I learned in a short bit- turnouts weren't DCC friendly.
So I had to check a few areas to see what was causing this short. Turns out it was a couple of areas that needed addressing: the Shinohara 3-way turnout in the hard; and an older turnout (not sure of make) in the module I imported into the layout. Time to get busy!
Again, I was reminded of how wonderful a creation the internet is. A few key strokes, and I had a wiring diagram about how to fix problems like mine. Allan Gartner's Wiring for DCC website (at www.wiringfordcc.com) was first up- he had a terrific blog post about adapting that 3-way turnout to eliminate its inherent short circuits. A razor saw, rotary tool, and some very basic soldering skills came into play, and over a weekend I managed (I think!) to make it DCC friendly. The other issue was a turnout in the middle of my module, which seemed to involve a simpler fix- just cutting (gently!) the strip connecting the two point rails, without cutting through the throw bar.

2012-01-17 Update

Weekend update- starting gluing some roadbed down in the yard area, mainly for the loop around the yard. Used standard cork roadbed for this; the elevation I can justify as it's a main line. Also spent some time soldering some flextrack together, to form the loop. It was a bit new for me- I'm not an accomplished or skilled solderer, but the joints looked pretty good in the end (took probably 2x as long as someone who knows what they are doing). Also spent some time revising the yard (see trackplan page). I wasn't happy with it, and my design created the need to have the whole yard reverse polarity (as it was all a big wye as I unraveled it). So I changed some things, and was able to add a few items as well. Progress continues! Expecting shipment of turnouts soon, so more can be put in place, tacked, and run. Also connected up some power to run a loco around the loop of the yard. The machine needs a tuneup, but it ran ok all things considered. Am now thinking through some of my DCC choices as well. I have been running the Atlas Commander set, which has been really good (see Atlas' page for more info). However, the layout is now big enough that I will want some walk-around capability too, which Atlas sort of has, but sort of doesn't. I'm leaning towards an MRC starter system, as it seems like it could expand easily, and I like the 8-wire connectors- easier to find that the RJ12 6 wire version which Atlas uses.

2012-01-11 Update

Flex track arrived today- woo hoo! I decided, primarily because I wanted to actually get this layout done at some point, to use commercially available flextrack sections, vs. handlaying; for economics/availability reasons, I went with the Code 83 Atlas track (I haven't really started any spurs yet, so may move to code 70 for those sections).
I'm taking a small tip from Lance Mindheim's blog, which can be found on his website <a href="http://www.lancemindheim.com" target="_blank">here</a>. His suggestion was to tack the track down first, and then start running some trains; I've read that elsewhere as well, to make some headway and then "reward" yourself by seeing trains move. There is also the practical aspect of testing out the track plan, making sure the sections work together appropriately, and (literally) working out the kinks.
So I've started on the loop around the yard, stringing together a few of the yard neck turnouts, etc. I found I was short some pieces, so an order to www.modeltrainstuff.com occurred. I also bought a few Micro Engineering turnouts, just to try those out as well. I am a bit bothered by the discolored frogs in my standard Atlas code 83 turnouts (the blackened metal), but will try a few suggestions for improving their look over the weekend.

2012-01-09 Update

Weekend was spent getting a couple of things done: I did a bit more work on the throat to the yard, rejiggering things a bit. Taking up some of the track from the 2x6 module gave me some flexibility in terms of angles and such for the yard area. I also glued the foam to the benchwork for the yard and peninsula.

Track Plan

The track plan to me is an evolutionary thing, up to (and even after) the ballast is laid. A deeper discussion of this aspect can be found here. I tend to get into the scale 1:1 planning- that is, playing around with different arrangements with my actual track after the space is defined.  I have an 80% solution in mind, but for that last 20% I use test-fitting and some actual operation on tacked-down track.

Concept

I'm not necessarily at this point trying to recreate a specific route or railroad; my interests are too diverse for that (or I'm too unfocused). Rather, I like seeing trains run, and I like displaying my weathering. So any railroad would have to include a yard and some industries to serve (I do like seeing industries get switched on the prototypes). Because I'm on the west coast, the concept of modeling various prototypes that run from Oakland or the San Francisco Bay Area to the midwest (I'm originally from St. Louis) appeals to me, and would give me the chance to use all these grain hoppers I've lovingly assembled and aged. I do like the Missouri Pacific, a hold-over from my youth, but my era is just a bit later than that of the MP in its blue paint. So I won't be prototypically accurate, but I can live with some inconsistencies, and it's my world after all.

Background

In March 2011 we moved to a new house, meaning that a dismantling of my existing HO scale railroad layout was in order. It was not close to finished (are they every)? I did however finish some sections, so when the mover came it was time to break it down for storage.

To the new house we added some space for a home-office/layout room. While getting it finished required a longer timeframe than I thought, I finally had a finished room to work with in early December 2011, roughly a year after we bought the house (we did a lot of work to it otherwise).

Some spousal negotiating got this to happen in the first place, so I'll always be thankful my better half allowed me to build out this area in the way I wanted. I was able to fit the three needed uses for this space into this room- office for me, layout and area for the kids to watch TV/movies with friends. I think all aims are accommodated in our plan, which is wonderful.