GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Well, Things snowballed. I went to the hobby shop, bought that three way turnout (ouch on the wallet, but it had to be done), as well as an additional Atlas #4 switch to lead into it from the mainline, and caboose industries ground throws for the Atlas switches on my layout (to replace those massive switch machines).

When i got home, i started trying to rebuild my crossover. That just lead to frustration, so i got to work on removing the tracks from my yard. Pretty soon, i had made a big mess on my hands. I have almost NEVER vacuumed the layout. Ever. Maybe once or twice, but only in small areas. I just decided to remove everything off the layout, brush up and loose scenic material that i could use again, and vacuum the whole thing.

Other than ripping up a section of roadway, everything went smoothly.

I finally got back to that pesky crossover, and just ripped out the offending switch, replacing it with a brand new one. I also McGuyvered a temporary rail joiner out of a track nail. Because of the way the switches fit together, i can't fit in a rail joiner, and i still need to add a "common rail" wire for the outer loop.

Because the layout is nearly apart, I'm planning on replacing all remaining mainline Sectional track with flex track, and rewiring everything so that all sections get electricity. This will hopefully put an end to all losses of power and shifted track joint issues. I'm probably also going to rebuild the highway bridges that cross the layout, making them thicker so that they can realistically span my new yard. Those highway bridges are in rough shape anyway, they can use some work.

I've also begun work on a HEP Generator car made from a former UP 44 seat coach. Amtrak put these behind GG1s so that they could operate with Amfleets (GG1s, E60CPs [steam-heat versions], and FL9s lack HEP capabilites.) These are distinguishable from regular coaches by screened windows and flush ends.

Demolition!





Vacuuming up 6 years worth of junk. Took some of the road with me, but thats ok, it was lumpy anyway.



Rebuilt that dang crossover. If anyone needs to make an Impulse buy, get an Atlas AEM7. they are great track testers! The number boards are always on as long as theirs track power. If they flicker, you know somethings up. I also ran my SD9 with a few cars through the crossover at various speeds to make sure it was trouble free. Looks good so far!



McGuyvered electrical connector. I was very carefull to make sure the switch did not shift out of position while doing this.



New Switches



Mainlines still work, for now! A Conrail work train surveys the desolate surroundings. Weren't there buildings here? One Mini-project i did was to replace the Bowser windows with Laser-cut windows by AMB in the N5C caboose. Unfortuneately, my steps got lost in a club derailment, so i need to find new caboose steps. Gonna have to make an email to Bowser about that!



Meanwhile, something horrible is about to happen to an old Rivarossi car.



Basically, the sides need to be totally smooth so that the brass car sides fit flush. Since the sides will be covered in brass (the ends in sheet styrene), i wasn't to concerned about what sort of grit sand paper i used. Sorry Illinois Central fans! Its not pictured, but i eventually butchered the sides, Removing the window frames and making the open areas higher so that "new" windows on the brass car side were unobstructed.



The sides are temporarily taped on while i decide how to represent the Generator car



That's it for now! I leave you with a prototype photo of the Generator car behind a loaned NJ-DOT GG1.