GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

First up, dramatic improvement in reliability today. On Friday, i picked up the remaining track sections, plus an extra, as well as some Ribbon Rail track gauges. they didn't have any in 22"r, but they did for 18"r and 20"r. Using these, i set to work adjusting my inner mainline.

The most shocking thing was that many parts of my track that i suspected were to tight were in fact broader than i thought. Conversely, there were definitely spots that were TOO tight. I pulled the track nails, and realigned everything.

While i was at it, I added 20" easements to the 18" tracks. The trains appear to be running smoothly. i set up some trouble making cars behind my SD9 and sent them through all the tracks and crossovers at various speeds, with almost no problems. the SD9 jumped the track once in the middle of no where, but i haven't been able to get it to do it again (even when sending the p2k into Light speed), so I'm assuming it was a fluke.

my club has a 24" ribbon rail gauge, and i think they have a 22" one around somewhere, so i might borrow them, rather than buy them outright. I might try and put in a 24" easement ahead of the 22" sections.

Until i get the gauges, i might hold up on laying the rest of the track, but at least i do have the track on hand.

I'm planning on making a video of the new track work.

Also, the problematic locomotive has been revealed to have deceptively dirty wheels. I had kept hitting it with the orange clean on a paper towel, and the "black" grime came off, but apparently the wheels still had stuff on them. I just managed to remove the wheels and clean them, and now they are shiny again. I'm banking on this making my GP15-1 function better.

GEC - There was a layout away back in MR called Conrails Hallsville Pa. by my friend Nick Palette, which might fit your requirements.
a PM with your email will get you a copy

That certainly is the idea i was going for! For those who do not know the layout, it is essentially very similar to the layout above, but with staging on the "curved" end of the layout, instead of across the back.



If it were double tracked, and space for a commuter train or two, it would be great. I figure the minimum size should be four 85' cars to a track. this is slightly longer than a three car locomotive hauled push-pull, and is convenient since many of my MU cars are married pairs.

I'll have to keep on coming up with methods for fitting this sort of thing into my space and prototype preferences.