Hello,

This is my first post.

I have been following this forum for a few months and found it very helpful in planning my layout, especially the Electric Forum. Thanks for the great tips. They have been very helpful. This is my first permanent O-guage layout, although I have built several HO and N gauge years ago.

I have attached a PDF file with my track plan and progress photos for my dream layout. Only 60% has been built and rough laid, in just two days of work! Although it took me 10 years to aquire the track, structure, power, rolling stock, etc and does not count a few days of precutting and predrilling the standardized platform members, the basement prep, painting, electrical and lighting upgrades. It helped having all the track on-hand and I have all the remaining track and materials on-hand to rough out the final 40% this weekend.

The layout is a basic basement (26'x27') double mainline with a seperate Chicago "L" track. The operational parameters: Two long trains operating unattended on the mainlines without causing yard interferance. And automated two train commuter "L".

It will be powered and wired for both conventional and command operating environments. (Note the final postioning of the track componets as shoiwn are slightly different than shown in the attached track plan. Seems I had more room than I thought). 

Some of the key layout features shown in the progress photos:

- Dual Mainlines 250-feet each with minimum O-48 to maximum O-72 curves with Eight cross over location.
- Mainlines that have 21 to 13 feet straigh runs.
- Seperate grades for Outer Mains from Inner Mains.
- Five (maybe Six) Track Classification Yard.
- Ten foot recieving/departure yard passing siding.
- Multiple yard approaches.
- Yard Lead switching stub.
- Six (maybe 7 or 8) stub track turn table
- Four Bridge river gorge crossing.
- Four 22 degree crossing assembly under a double truss bridge
- Four 90 degree crossing complex (still to be test fit)
- Over 50 swtiches.
- CTA "L" consiting of 0-36 curves (still to be test fit).
- Minimum 32" main aisle.
- Nearly full perimeter walk-around for access.
- No duck-unders!
- No curves leading into a switch, bridge or crossings (lesson learned from my HO and N scale days).

The track shown in the pictures is only test fitted into position. More platform work has to be done (two access hatches, cutting grades, additional internal bracing, wiring harness) after the test fit program. Then the track will be taken up and foam board placed under the track for sound control and topographic contouring. Then permanently mount the track, install track power, track side signals (30), operating accessories, building and street lighting (50). Wire the backlit ceiling mounted control boards with the activation switches and switch postion and track occupany indicator lights.  And of course then comes the final landscaping of rocks, water, trees, people (650+), city, rocket base, oil field, etc. You get the picture.

First trains should be running in two-three months.

Constructive Comments are always welcomed.

Thanks for looking,

Tim
President & CEO
Joliet & Western Railway
Joliet, IL