01 Aug 2009 Main Line nears completion ....

Main line track has now been laid all the way from the East staging portal to the Branch Junction, and from the West staging portal to the same point. There is a six inch piece of track yet to be laid, connecting these two segments. Completion of that short piece has been reserved to be part of the upcoming "Golden Spike" event. A piece of flex track temporarily bridges that section to allow work and test trains to proceed. Also, none of the main line turnouts have been built or placed yet. Short pieces of flex-track "shoo-flies" let trains run through.

Work is now concentrating on installing the code 125 flex track for sidings and yard tracks. Turnouts are being built on the work bench for installation on the layout, temporary power wiring for the main is being finalized with heavy duty DCC power buses and feeders every 3 feet, more signal and control wiring is being installed, and additional CTC features are being contemplated. It will be a busy Fall.

The "official" Golden Spike ceremony should occur before Christmas.......

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Track exits staging and begins the climb up to the sub-division point yard.

Maximum grade is 1.8%, but the average grade over a train length never exceeds 1.6% so I consider that the "ruling grade".

This view shows the easement being built in as the track is laid through use of a basswood shim under the outer edge of the flex-track.

Here track laying has almost reached the top of the grade. Push pins hold the flex track in place until the adhesive caulk has set.

This closeup shows both the push pins and the plexiglas curved track gauge used to hold the curve at joints while they are soldered.

Another view of the track laying process.

Track is complete up the grade. Trains can now reach the yard area from staging.

In order to complete the main as soon as possible most turnouts are being temporarily replaced with short pieces of unfastened flex-track.

The work train arrives at approximately the future location of Dunbasye depot.
Trackwork on the main passes through the yard area.

Again, the turnouts in this area will be ignored for now. All turnouts (50+) will be built on the workbench.

Masonite templates were cut to provide straight edge spacers for laying all the parallel yard tracks with as little "squiggle" as possible.

Note the tie assembly being test fit, and also the paper "construction" turnout templates.

The yard tracks are in place. They are House of Duddy code 125 flex track.

Here track gangs are working their way around the large curve that will pass behind the roundhouse and engine tracks.

Last minute alignment changes along "The Narrows" are being test fit here.

The alignment was changed to allow access to some below scenery electronics (Power District 3) and also to break up a very long straight run.

The work gang in the background is now fully around the yard exit curve and is headed toward "The Narrows" and some serious bridge work.

The depressed area on the right will be a river crossing. So now a bridge is needed.

The roadbed approaches on either side of the crossing are aligned and a constant (0%) grade line is established.

The 10' long aluminum channel is very handy. The bridge works to be installed are visible.

The work train has picked up a "Big Hook" to help with placing the bridge.

Once the river is crossed it is a straight shot to the Junction area.

The bridge is in place and the work train has gone on to finish the tracks to Junction.

Here track is being laid to bring trains out of the staging East portal, and start up the 1.6% grade to the junction area from the East.

Track laying reaches the location of the Portal and daylight.

Track swings around a gentle "S" curve as it nears the top of grade. From here it's an easy grade to the Junction area.