Hello everyone and welcome back to part 2 of the Green Mountain & Adirondack Central Railroad Tour. This part of the tour goes more in depth about the layouts design and what else you can find on the Green Mountain & Adirondack Central website, Lets get started.
The layout was designed using RR Track Layout Software and the track is from Gargraves and Ross Custom Switches.
The platform area is 20 x 8 feet. The design allows guests and myself to comfortably walk around the platform and view the layout from any side. The gray area represents an access isle that runs down the middle of the layout, allowing access to hard to reach places. While the majority of the isle has been covered by scenery I can still access the hard to reach areas underneath the scenery. There are 3 main line loups, 2 reversing loups, 3 storage tracks, and a hidden passing siding (the passing siding runs underneath the top level of track up against the wall). Minimum O-72 and O-80 degree curves were used to meet the radius requirements for any locomotive or piece of rolling stock. There are two levels of track on the layout, colored pink, and both levels are connected by a 2% grade on each end of the layout.
The layout is powered by a Lionel ZW Transformer, which I inherited from my grandfather, and 2 Lionel ZW-80 transformers power the lights and animated signs. The layout uses both the Lionel Legacy and MTH Digital Command Systems. Ignore the clutter on the panel and the panel itself is temporary I am in in the process of building a newer, better control panel.
The terminal blocks below are from MTH and they are mounted to a piece of 1/2 inch thick plywood anchored to the support beams. The wire is 16 gauge wire that I bought from Home Depot and I use these wires to distribute the power around the layout, preventing power loss. From the 16 gauge wire, 18 gauge wire is soldered directly to the rails. In between the control panel and terminal blocks are fuse breakers, I bought these from Marine Products, and I use these to protect my equipment in the event of an accident that could cause a short circuit such as a derailment. 
Here is the link to the Fuse Breakers I used:
http://www.marine-products.com...ine-30amp-12741.html
Here is quick shot of what I call the Main Street Scene on the layout and the buildings are from MTH. I probably will repaint them at some point in time but for now the current colors will do. The station is not in the permanent location yet, I have to modify the base because it sits on a curve. I will post a picture when the modifications are complete.
Yes, that is the Drunken Clam Sign from Family Guy. I'm a big fan of Family Guy and as soon as Miller Engineering released the sign I absolutely had to have it. Right now the sign sits on top of Butch's Sports Bar, I will rename the bar The Drunken Clam so it fits in better with the sign.
Here's a close up.
Here are a few pictures of the back side of the layout and yard area. I will have more photos up as these areas continue to grow.
As the old saying goes a layout is never finished. I will continue to post as the layout continues to grow and mature.
Now lets have a look on the Green Mountain & Adirondack Central Railroad Website. Here you can find new blog posts, updates, tips, and lots of fun train photos.
I hope you all enjoyed the tour of the Green Mountain & Adirondack Central Railroad. If you have any questions feel free to ask them. Don't forget the website https://greenmountaintrains.wordpress.com/
Happy Railroading,
Peter
