Planning for a "Hindenburg"

Layout was on hold for a little, but started on it again this AM.  I got out the MTH Passenger station and fit it plus one of the 2 covered platforms trackside (based on John's suggestion of shortening one track to a stub ending at the station).   It will work great unless there is a runaway locomotive, in which case the slaughter in the station will rival the Hindenburg disaster “Oh, the humanity . . .”

Gomez Addams would be proud.

Maiden Run

This was the maiden run on the mainline.  Here is the link:

Maiden Run

I have since put in the roadbed and most of the track on the locomotive servicing and passenger sidings.  Got the MTH passenger station fitting in nicely.  All I have left is the 2 industrial sidings in the center of the layout.  Then it will be scenery time.  Actually, then it will be time to get out John’s big articulated Allegheny, and hook up the z4000 and command control and just watch trains go ‘round and ‘round.

MTH Sinclair Gas Station

I just bought this MTH Sinclair Gas Station from a collection.  I have been looking on the 'bay for a while.  Now I just need to figure out where to put in on the layout.  These MTH buildings are big . . .

Doing things the hard way

I am still trying to figure out a reliable way to run a separate center rail power feed to each turnout in a crossover from one main to the other.  I want them isolated for running conventional control independently.  So far, I have tried wedging a wire into the gap in the bottom of the rail (not secure enough), soldering to the black rail (solder sticks to everything but the rail),  Bending track pins 90 degrees and soldering to them (see picture, but left too much of a rail gap, kind of a rail pothole, and then I broke the solder joint trying to install the turnout), and finally, wedging in a spade lug into the underside of the rail (required a little "plastic" surgery on the turnout, holding together for now).  If the spade does not seem secure, I will revisit soldering, this time using flux.

So, once again, I am finding a way to make things more complicated.  Kind of a model railroad masochist . . .

Laying track

Last week I unpacked and assembled the Gargraves sectional track.  And (pat myself on the back) the curves fit my carefully laid roadbed perfectly.  I measure and cut each section of straight or flex track, file the burrs and run a 1/16" drill into the hollow ends of the track.  I am thoroughly enjoying cutting track with my Dremel and a 2 1/2 inch diameter carbide disc.  Sparks fly as it tears through the metal with a high pitched screech.  Ahr, ahr, more power!

I am drilling holes through the table top for power feeds.  The feeds are 6" lengths of 18g wire with spade connectors crimped on.  The spades wedge in the underside of the split rail and I just insert the wires through the holes as I lay the track down.  I am not gluing any track yet.  I want to be sure it all fits and I want to be able to test it first.  At this point, I have 2/3 of each mainline done.  Tested the crossover a few times and no derailment.