chita marlith

No major changes have happened to the layout in the last 3 weeks other than the installation of 4 new Atlas under table switch machines, 1 Atlas trackside switch machine, and a new motor for my turn table. I have also been collecting the various parts and components for the control panel that I am still in the design stage on. I will need 4 Atlas snap-relays, as well as the dual cab MRC controller I�ve had my eye on. I will have more details on this when I get a more finalized plan on its design. In the meantime, I�ve installed 4 Atlas under table switch machines on the front area of the layout, completed with roadbed to cover to hole and eventually blend into the track bed.

The under table switches installed pretty easily, with only a few adjustments needed in the end. The hardest part was keeping them positioned while screwing them in, luckily I had a helper to assist me with this. Another factor that needed great attention was the ease of movement of the turnout itself. The actuator motors themselves are pretty powerful, especially with around a 16VAC burst of power. However the issue comes from the very small distance of movement as well as the plastic pin that goes through to table and attaches to the switch. The switch movement is just barely longer than the distance of the turnout itself, which doesn�t leave much room for error. With this, the plastic pin does flex, so if there is ANY resistance in the movement of the turnout, the switch will not completely move the track, even if perfectly centered. Because of this, I ended up having to remove the roadbed under the sliding bar of the turnout to ensure there was very little resistance. After a few adjustments, everything worked fine.
 

As for the wiring, each switch machine will be on an independent Atlas switch controller, green being for the main line and yellow being for the turnout. All are grounded by a common ground, which is the center brown wire. Switches 2 and 3, which branches from the main line to the front spur, are on a common switch and operate in unison, as they will always need to be switched together when crossing off of or onto the main line.

Unfortunately, I was not able to install a under table switch (at least not easily) to the turnout to my turn table. Because of this, I had to use a trackside switch machine. I wired it just as I did with the under table switches, and attached it to the same brown common lead. I will have to find some way to hide this machine in the future. I have also attached my new turn table motor. It works great, but is a little loud. Hopefully this will be quieted slightly when the cover is attached. With that, there is where I am this rainy Wednesday evening.

I�ve now started the planning stages of the main control panel and wiring, and have purchased more than half of the components. I plan to build the unit out of wood, covered in aluminum cladding. I�m still not entirely how it will look, but I�m going for an all-in-one unit with all of the switches, lights, and wiring, which will fold somehow under to table to hide away when not in use. I�ve also painted the turn table to make it look a little more unique. I also stained the trestle a dark, rich brown colour. I used a toothpick to paint on little bolts.

The track on my layout is 99% complete, with just a few small items to finish. I have almost completed the turn table, however it still needs to be painted to get rid of the �plastic sheen,� so it is only tacked in place, thus the approaching tracks aren�t attached either at the moment. I also painted and installed the bumpers, 5 in total on my layout. They look pretty decent, however may need a little more detail added in the future. My turnouts also look and fit great. I tested them with a few cars and they see to carry the cars very smoothly.

It�s been a little while since my last update, and it might seem like not much has been done, however this is not the case. I�ve spent most of the time since my last update planning the wiring in more detail as well as the design of the main control box. I have a diagram drawn up, but I need to make a few changes before I post it on here. As for the actual layout, I�ve been working on attaching the track to the roadbed, as well as installing the terminal connectors to each isolated track section. Below are the 60 degree crossing as well as the right side curves and trestle. I have not yet attached to track to the trestle or bride as they still need to be finished with paint and stain.

Last weekend I purchased my 5 turnouts, as well as a 60 degree crossing from PM in Calgary, along with a bit more track and a few other items. I now have almost all of my track other then the turn table and a few pieces that aren�t part of the main lines. Now that I have my exact measurement and can see exactly how the track is going to sit, I completed the rest of the roadbed for the front staging area as well as the lead to the future turn table.

After a week, I finally completed my trestle. I built it using �� and 3/8� square doweling rod purchased from canadian tire. I first traced on a large sheet of paper the track curve, as well as the location of the tracks that would pass below. From this, I determined the measurements as well as the location of each pier. I built the deck of the trestle directly onto the drawing that I had made, using this as an exact guide for placing the pieces. This was, in my mind, the best way to keep everything accurate. The piers had to be on a sharp angle due to the two tracks passing below, so extra support had to be given to the trestle deck in some areas. I finished the piers with 1/16" cross supports, as well as a bed for the 18" radius track to sit on. Even thought this is not the most prototypical trestle, it still looks good on the layout and fits the track perfectly.

On my last day off, I added the trackbed for the upper mountain tunnel lines. The outer track is part of the main oval line, which will descend down to the front staging area, and the second climbs from the mid-section up to the raised area at the rear of the layout. This line and the main line descent run together in one tunnel portal. You can also notice that the track below these lines is now laid. I completed this so I wouldnt have to work arond the upper sections of track in the future.