and then this happened

Not gonna get many/any people to click this one with a thread title just saying "and this happened."  Anything more descriptive possible?

I dunno ... it worked for me ... curiosity and all that . (But, yeah, in general the more descriptive the better.)  Enjoy Phase II.

TRRR  

TomlinsonRunRR posted:

I dunno ... it worked for me ... curiosity and all that . (But, yeah, in general the more descriptive the better.)  Enjoy Phase II.

TRRR  

Me too! I had to see what it was all about as well, so sometimes getting readers through curiousity works.

Curiosity killed the Kitteh...worked for me too. (No, not Norma..she's fine and still sitting on Mitch's board I'm sure)

Can't wait to follow your progress, Ralph. Thanks for posting. Do you have a before and after track plan?

Teasing always works for me.  Guess that's why I'm here.  Sure would like to see some more pics.

Yeah, but I was disappointed once I clicked through to find out it was about a mere layout renovation. I was expecting some shocking photo or thread.

Not that I thought the topic isn't worthy. I also would like to see progress photos.

But subject titles should provide more information. On the other hand, this thread is hardly the only one to include a noninformational subject line, so I don't want to pick on Ralph. Of course, Ralph could edit the subject line ...

We are here; so Ralph's title pulled us in.  Now if he had said' "I have a bridge to sell you..."

Ralph, my only question is, did you get all the environmental permits in hand before bringing the heavy equipment?  

It sounds like a great idea, since you have been longing to get another train running.  Yes the foam modules made alterations painless.  I am looking forward to seeing how this goes.  Thanks for posting a catchy title.  You reeled me in!

Update: Phase I – Mecahnical & Electrical – is nearing completion. Benchwork, roadbed, track, switches, wiring, etc. A number of critical components took forever to get here even though I ordered them long ago. In the mean time I busied myself with working around their absence as best I could. Finally all items showed up and I was able to forge ahead.

I am currently testing tack geometry to ensure best operation on the new loop. With a 22 foot straightaway and 080 minimum curves I expect it to be a “race track” for passenger traffic. Therefore I’m checking and tweaking for a smooth ride. I’ve also tried to keep this 70 feet of new track fairly level. A number of my diesels are conventional or TMCC without speed control and they’re obviously more sensitive to changes in elevation. The new loop is also set up under DCS as a Variable voltage track to accomodate conventional operation.

My test equipment is a scale GG1 pulling some of the most finicky cars I’ve got. Trust me - If you want to check clearances and seek out problems track & switches you can’t beat a scale GG1!

Looking forward to Phase II – Scenery. I moved mountains, tunnels, bridges, hillsides, a whole village, bridges, businesses, etc to make the new track plan work. What’s exciting for me is that I’ve decided that nothing I took off the layout is “sacred”. I may relocate, re-use, trash or come up with completely new stuff as I go. I have some general ideas but the rest will just evolve. I think that will be fun.

-RM

Ralph, I have probably seen all of your videos  on Youtube and they are great.  Great layout.  So, I also was pulled in by the title of your post.  I can't wait for more.  And, more pictures too.  Please post your revised track plan too, please.

Rick

Yes, more progress pics and a track plan.........

Jesse

Ralph,

I'm glad you are testing with the most finicky cars and the GG1.  While I do like to see freights run slow, it is always exciting to see a crack passenger train go whizzing by!  Looking forward to it.

Thanks everyone one for your interest. Here are some updates:

Phase I is virtually complete. Trains are running on THREE main tracks now. 

Track geometry test car.  Hey, it works. I found several small dips and such using this and fixed them all. Nice and smooth and level now. 

Wherever the new trackage "spills over" from what existed before I built these little extensions - kinda like a table leaf.. The edge of the roadbed is flush with the extension in order to minimize the hangover.  It's quite secure, level, plumb, etc.  I may make a little facade to go around the perimeter of the "leaf". 

I currently do not have anything that I can render a track plan with.  Here's the original track plan for the old 2 track main line.  What was previously track 1 had a siding which goes in and out of the station.  I used the right-of-way for that siding as part of the new route. The new trackage follows around the outside of the existing loops. Basically just a big dog-bone loop.  I wanted a minimum of switches for the new route and I've located two sets of crossovers approximate ly 180 degrees apart.  Additionally, the new loops is divided into two power blocks.  I can park a rain on the new loop and still run around it. 

That's it for now. I'm going to do a mid-project cleanup - throw a lot of generated trash, sweep, vacumn and straighten up before I dive into the scenery phase. 

-RM

Looks great, Ralph!  That will defiantly enhance your main line running.  The geometry car is a great idea, and I can see it would work.  Thank you for the idea I will have to copy.

FYI - I'll be posting updates & photos in the "What Did You Do On Your Layout Today?"  thread.

-RM

Ralph, very ingenious idea for the track geometry car.  Nice modifications so far.  Will be looking for updates in the "What did you do on your layout today" thread.  Good luck.

Rick