GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

HOORAY REAL LAYOUT UPDATE

I cleaned all the junk off the layout (now it surrounds the layout, baby steps!), attempted to clean the tracks and started soldering some of the old sectional track together. I'm not sure how well this will help it, but I'm banking on it being to counteract the incredibly loose and finicky Rail joiners. I'm considering soon replacing ALL sectional track with flex-track, as the sectional track is just not cutting it. when it doesn't fail electrically, its shifting out of alignment and causing my models to jump the track.

I'm also going to try to solder more feeders into the layout, mostly on the "common" rail side. originally, the layout was block wired, and the inner rail was all connected throughout. Of course, anytime that inner rail breaks connection on two sides, i get an open circuit and it stops running. I'd already added additional feeders into my industrial park, but it looks like i'm going to be adding more in the yard area and a couple on the mainline, as well as checking to make sure there aren't any feeders that may be disconnected (i had disconnected some for reason i can't remember several years ago).

I'm also considering new switches, and adapting the current road bed to take "numbered" switches instead of the snap switches they were built with originally. If i can find a good way for them to fit, I'll probably rip many of the old switches out.


As far as my models go, i did some minor repairs to my E33, and i installed the windows in my two built Silverliner III MU cars. I have a third kit i just received but i don't know when I'll get around to starting that kit.

I also repainted my Arrow III single with new Alclad II base coat, and I'm waiting for a good day to give it some Alclad II chrome. I've got some NJ DOT decals at least, so i should be able to get it mostly decorated by the time the paint dries. the road-numbers will be hard to find though.

Finally, I'm working on another video, following a "train" on my layout, from being put together in the yard to being delivered and returning back to the yard. What a horrible experience (good luck getting the train out of the yard)! its really showing the age of my layout, and probably pointing out the need to rebuild some of it. thank god the section under my current catenary bridges are already replaced with flex track, so i don't have to worry about those bridges not being aligned with the track. Its probably a good thing that I'm checking this all now before i added wires and got myself stuck.

anyway, if all goes smoothly (relatively speaking), i might be able to have this video done before friday. If i work fast, i can have the footage done tomorrow.

Hey GEC - great video! Nice to see the progression of motive power and some of the changes overtime. This seems to have been a great learning layout and one that you'll look back on fondly when more space, time and cash allows a bigger, better system.

But I'm most encouraged to hear/read you saying that you'll stick with it through the college years. I managed to do likewise, even through grad school and especially during two years of internship where I joined a club (and met Russ B.)

Keep sharing your progress. OH - and I finally saw one of those crazy diesels you kit-bashed/resin cast on a video recently, showing the C&O 614 running some 'Erie' fan trips. "Hey - that's GEC's wacky diesel!", I actually said out loud.

Galen

Thanks, I actually just started "attempting" to get my layout up and running. At least three times i wanted to hit it with a sledge hammer, I guess when you don't keep up with things, they start to deteriorate! I'd definitely have to agree with putting this down as a "learning layout", it just doesn't work like it used to. I've always had little problems, but now its really refusing to cooperate. I don't even know where to start on the problems!

I hope if i ever do make a larger layout that it gets done more reliably. I'll have to really check for perfect track in the future.

LOL, yeah, those GP40FH-2 locomotives are just about as extinct as that steamer's brethren are. The last i checked, only 4 still run. Some are out in Canada, but then i heard they didn't like them there either. I was told that they did not age well (ironically, NJ transit's GP40PH-2s in the first half of the 4100 series are 1968 locomotives built for the CNJ, and they're STILL going. They're the oldest regularly operated passenger locomotive). The weird hood apparently also got in the way of repairs. Its a shame to, NJ transit is really loosing a lot of its "variety". Many of its unique locomotives are dissappearing from the roster, and same with its rolling stock. I suppose progress is progress, but a lot of that stuff isn't really that old yet either. Thats business i guess!

The model of the GP40FH-2 is in much better shape, i just need to add a few more handrails and details before i feel ready to clear coat it, and then I'll put the windows into the cab. hopefully the innards will be next ( i ended up taking apart the drive many years ago when i modified the frame and now i need to dig up the parts again).

OK I stand corrected. I must confess that I did skip a couple minutes of it ,sorry.

Thats alright! I'll try to get my other Steamer in early so you don't have to sit and wait for it in my next video. Its gonna be a short trip, i tried to see if i could coax that 2-10-4 onto a 22" curve..... not gonna happen!