Updates here on the blog and Facebook page have been a bit quiet this summer. Nonetheless, the layout continues to progress. Here's what we've been up to, and a peek at what the next priorities are.

Lower level mainline complete

We finished and tested the mainline on the lower level, including the return loop and the connection to the helix. Dave also installed the second turnout in the helix to allow us to have a "complete loop" on the lower level. Feeder drops and connection to the track bus followed. All turnouts coming off the mainline will be motorized and controlled from fasica panels or the dispatcher, so we also installed all the servos as we went.

Mainline completion

Mainline feeders added

To keep from having to bury my head in endless feeder drops and connections, I like to install them in groups as I lay track. There's no magic number for how many feet or sections, but it helps keep things interesting to work on. The bigger benefit is that I can test the section to make sure it works as intended: no shorts, proper gapping of rails, continuity, etc. I really need to write a post about how I do this for future reference (would someone please remind me to actually do this...).

Janesville yard completion

We also finished laying the Janesville yard tracks. Unfortunately, I had to make quite a few concessions with the yard compared to the prototype, but I am still happy with the result. The yard has capacity for around 55 cars, and the engine tracks can likely hold up to 6. After discussions with some fellow railroaders, I also added a "thoroughfare" track to allow locomotives to go to and from the engine facility more easily.

Janesville Yard

Turnout control panel design + prototyping

Since all the turnouts coming off the main are going to be driven by servos, I needed a way to control them. While I may have a dispatcher for operations, I want to ensure that's not the only way to control these turnouts. I have been thinking about how I want to do these panels for a bit now and was inspired by both Tom Jacobs' custom laser-cut panels and Robin Becker's 3D printed panels. I considered a few ways to make them and landed on designing and 3D printing them.

After discussions with my local friends Steve and Dave, I was a little afraid that this would be a rather arduous process, but from the first few panels I've prototyped, the process isn't too bad. The initial design setup of the 3D models took a bit; however, I've developed a process that makes them easier to produce. Once I get a few more done I plan on doing a post series about it.

To say that I'm super excited about how these are turning out is an understatement.

Control Panel Protoypes

Wiring cleanup

The last medium-size project (that I remember at least) was rearranging the main electronics board for the layout. I started out keeping things really tidy but then just kept adding components without keeping it neat. It was really starting to bug my OCD side, so I bit the bullet and redid most of it. I had the added benefit now of my 3D printer, so I designed and printed some component straps to keep things in place. I'll be posting those designs on MakerWorld soon.

The other important part was having connectors and terminal blocks on the edges of the board for the bus wires, LCC and LocoNet cables. That keeps the stiff, hard-to-dress wires from running across the board. It's not perfect, but it is a lot better.

Wiring + Panel Cleanup

What's next

As we march towards lower level operations, here's what we'll be focusing on next:

• Painting the foam a tan/brown color to hide the pink when it comes to scenery time
• Creating building mockups for industries out of foam board and cardboard
• Laying and wiring industry spurs
• Continuing turnout panel design, printing and installation
• Operations planning and rolling stock inventory

So, while my updates have been sparse, progress is continuing.