I decided that my layout could work better with a transfer table as a staging area. While there are some resources available regarding the construction of these, there still are a few things seeming a bit problematic.

The first one is powering the table or rather only the active track (in case I want to use the table for engine storage; if the table is only going to be used for cars it could as well be always fully powered which probably simplifies things). Anyways, which is a good way of getting power to the traverser? I even thought of using a piece of mrr track which could both work as the roller (instead of using a drawer slide mechanism) as well as a power source (wire the track on which the transfer table runs as if it were a part of the layout), but whether it would work adequately is the question.

The second one is whether it might be necessary to hold cars in place on the transfer table (imagining that very smoothly rolling cars might start moving while manipulating the table (currently only considering a manually moved table, not sure how difficult or necessary it would be to power the table.) Or is it enough to make sure the layout is level (which is probably a very good thing in any case.)

Attached is a sketch of the traverser - at the far end of the table there is a track which holds one engine so that it can be moved to the other end of the train for when the train is returning to the layout. Although I'm going to run steam engines, I didn't include a turntable here.

   

How many different forms of transportation can you spot?

Before i get ahead of myself and start building another electric locomotive, I should probably have the infrastructure. This means Catenary. I will try to build the standard PRR catenary i know and love.

Some of you may say "wait one moment GEC, didn't you already have catenary?" that was just an experiment, and it was the only one fully built. I've never seen anyone model a wire cross span, and there was question of its ability to hold up. I personally believe that a wire cross span can be as sturdy but also more flexible, and they are quite common in the areas i model, it is not always 100% K-braced. As we can see in the picture, a wire cross span works.

However, this was just a mock up. Notice how it doesn't have any of the insulators or other important details, and the solder joints are pretty ugly. I plan to use thinner wire and more concealed solder joints, but i think i can make something that looks good. I think Tichy Trains makes PRR Style Catenary insulators that would be perfect for this.



For reference, a K-brace PRR catenary bridge looks like this.



So, here i have my wires, my jigs, and my tools. I have plenty of old rail that looks fine as a catenary bridge. These won't be super detailed amazing catenary structures (to do so would probably cost me as much as the Model Memories kits, not to mention the pieces are harder to find), but they will be sturdy and look good enough.

Its always the headlights!

Ok, basically, all i did was change CV 117 on my Athearn Genesis SD45-2 to 20, and my headlights don't turn on. even though i keep resetting the locomotive, the lights do not come back on. Whats the story?

... did not disappear off the earth. His original screen name here was "Cid" and he had problems logging on, so he created a second account, "Cidchase". He asked me to fix things, and apparently I "fixed" things alright. I had to delete his "Cidchase" profile to change his "Cid" profile the way he wanted it, and I though I could move his posts to his old profile. Well, I deleted him and set up his old profile OK, but when I went to "move" his posts to the old name, bingo... it didn't work. :oops: So in case you were concerned, Cid Chase is here, he's just Cid... well, he is if I actually got the job done 2/3 right. I haven't heard back from Cid, so I don't know yet.

To those of you that have paper backdrops...
I don't recall who makes em right now but I've seen 'em at the hobby shop... they come in a square tubular box and you unroll the backdrop inside to find a nice picture. The question... when taking pictures of your layout, do these backdrops show glares, reflections, or flash highlights? I'm considering just pasting up a ready made backdrop picture as opposed to trying to paint my own but only if they are photography friendly.

Guys, I want to trace my track plan from the paper overlay onto the foam below and I've seen this thing that looks like a sprocket on the end of a handle. Any ideas where I could find one? I've looked at all the arts and craft stores and searched on the internet but have come up empty... well, not entirely... I did find out a lot about the tools needed to make pizzas and 500 ways to make a pizza.

I am adding a Gern facility to my layout. Some of this is already in existence as a truck manufacturing plant and just needed modification. This transformation actually started before I entered this contest. What has happened so far is not part of my entry as it is only cosmetic, such as signs. The facility already in existence is a simple scratch build from about 12 years ago.
My entry is a part to be added to this. Here are some pics of what I have done to this point. these have been posted earlier in the upper berth, under A FEW PICS GERN IN WV .




I am showing this to make sure I am not disqualified on a technicality. Also I have already begun my project a few days ago. So if this is a problem tell me now.I am using some out of the ordinary material. Here is what I have as of now.

This is 2" PVC pipe that I had just collecting dust.


This is what it looks like now.


Plastic Sign I picked up at LHS (local hardware store)


here I now have a top added to it.


Add some steps. and that is all for now.

Stay tuned for more updates