Oops - Major Nov. 2019 Track Fix

- Bench Work -
- Platform & Console Build -
- Topography -
- Ballasting & Scenary 1.0 -
- Bridge Redesign & Scenary 2.0 -
- Scenary Detailing-
- Lighting, Animation Work -
- Diorama Refinements -
- Oops - Major Nov. 2019 Track Fix -
- DCC Turnout Control Install -

...Hindsight is 20-20. Having built the layout to this point, using flex track for the first time, etc., I realize how much I did wrong, finally bit the bullet, and decided to fix some problems with the wotk I'd done initally, to prevent the frequent derailments and other issues. The first problem was with the curve on the North end of the inner loop, which had too small a radius over the second 90 degrees of the turn.

The fix was to replace the #8 Atlas with a #6.5 Shinohana. The tighter radius of the Shinohana allowed the arch of the curve to be spread more evenly over the 90 degrees of the quarter turn. ...So we put the patient is put under!

The other problem was with four Atlas #6 turnouts used for cross-overs between the inner and outter loops. Some folks have no problems with Atlas turnouts. I've not been so lucky, and although I still have a few on the layout, I replaced these four with Peco Electrofrogs. I didn't know when I made that choice, that the added raelism of the Electrofrogs meant a lot more work to insulate and wire the frogs to switch polarity!! Oh well, live and learn...

I added redundant power drops along the route, and was able to plumb some depressions in track elevation, and realign things for more reliable operation. So that, after putting the job off for months, the whole thing was more than worth the effort

After some testing, over several days, I applied ballast, painetd and added some scenic effects.

This website is dedicated to my model railroading buddy and dearest childhood friend, Tony Dozier. Increasingly, folks who enjoy model railroading are an older bunch, who are having to bid farewell to those we grew up with, people from a time when the distinction between friend and sibling really didn't count for much. We were that close. Love you Tony; and all the best to the people who will never grow too old to "play with trains."

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