First of all I want to say Happy Memorial Day to everybody. I want to thank all who have served our country and who have lost loved ones in that service, so that we can have the freedom's that we do. I truly appreciate your sacrifice. Thank you!
I have been working for a while on the yard portion of my layout. It is not complete, but I wanted to update the progress I have made up to this point.
I installed and connected the yard lead to my double mainline. An MTH switch tower sits at the beginning of the yard lead overlooking the yard. At the end of the yard lead the track splits into 7 separate tracks. 2 go into the double engine house, 3 are for storing and sorting freight and passenger cars, 1 is for diesel engine storage and maintenance including a sanding tower and fueling ststion and 1 siding backs into a coaling tower to load up the steam engine tenders with plenty of coal.
The first tracks I installed after the yard switches were the 2 leading into the engine shed. I had to get these lined up just right so they would go smoothly into the engine bays of the shed. The next tracks I installed were the 3 for sorting cars. I installed 3 gargraves uncoupler magnets at the start of these tracks to be able to split up longer trains. The next track over is the diesel maintenance and storage track as well as the track leading into the turnout that goes to the coaling station.
I painted the roof of the Lionel water tower a paprika red color. It blends in better with the other yard buildings in my opinion than the lionel orange plastic it came with.
I haven't decided yet what height I would like the Lionel Yard tower so I mocked it up by setting it on the box, but it might not stay that hi once it's all said and done.
As you can see I just started constructing the coaling station building kit that I picked up at York this spring. I set it in place just to see how it would fit. I'm going to wait to finish the roadbed under the ends of the yard tracks until I finish the coaling station to make sure every thing fits properly. I am also thinking about putting my Lionel steam gantry crane on the track leading into the coaling station as well. I have to set it out and see if I like the look of it there. This is what the completed coaling station will look like.
I haven't wired up any of the yard tracks yet. Each yard track including the yard lead will be switched with toggle switches to be able to turn off power and store any combination of engines and passenger cars/cabooses.
Prior to working on the yard, I installed all the DZ-1000 switch machines on my Ross turnouts for the double track main line. They were really easy to install and line up especially since all the turnouts are mounted in the Rossbed. A couple items to note. Each DZ-1000 comes with 3 different springs to connect them to the turnout. One is for Ross one is for gargraves and one is for another brand. It is important that you use the correct spring for whatever turnout you are using, in my case Ross.
Also, the led's in the DZ-1000 switches as well as the controllers can be pulled out using pliers and the positions can be switched to match the position of the turnout. I had to do this with several switches.
Next up will be to finish the coaling station building kit, then finish the remaining yard tracks, wire up all the yard tracks, install DZ-1000 switch machines in the yard turnouts and finish positioning all the buildings of the yard.
Until next time, happy railroading!
Michael
That track work is smooth!
