Yes..I am about 90% done (as close to done as I'll ever be). A few quick observations for those of you in the process, getting ready or thinking about building a layout:
1) My layout is against a wall with barely room to squeeze in on the sides (25ft x 8"). Anything derails in back I have to climb on the layout to get it. My advice is too avoid this at all costs if possible. Just too much of a pain to work on while building and climbing on any other time. I did it because that was the way I designed my room and had little choice. The good news is with a lot of trial and error and rock solid switches and track laying, I have just about eliminated all issues associated with derailments. Weak couplers are the main thing I look out for now and fix when found.
2) My top level is two tracks; one which makes a complete loop in the shape of a dog bone and one which parallels the other but doubles back on itself via Ross switches and DZ-2500 switch machines wired for non-derailing. Got those switches and machines working like a swiss watch which was so important to keep me from climbing on the table for derailments. So that's my pitch for Ross and Z stuff DZ-2500 machines.
3) Test your accessories before installing. Sounds obvious but I didn't. I assumed they would work fine. So far I have had to remove two; a Lionel bucket crane (the remote one that the cab moves and the bucket goes up and down...picks up coal, etc and the Lionel yard tower with the two guys chasing each other in the tower. Whatever grease they used in the crane was like sticky paste and pretty much prevented operation. Had to clean it all out, degrease and re grease with some Red and Tacky. Works good now. The Radio tower had a gear that kept jumping out from the motor so that required some messy fixing. It's ugly under there but it works now. So test those accessories before installing.
4) Finally got Legacy up and running. Love it. Interesting note: The Legacy remote controls the power masters hooked up to my PWC ZW Transformer. I didn't think it would but it does so that is pretty cool for me. Thought I would have to use the TMCC remote for that. Everything else works great so far.
5) I will be posting some pictures in the near future. Still test running some trains and cleaning up. I'm sure I will think of more tips in the future.
Thanks to all the forum members who provided such great tips, tricks and photos over the years. I benefitted from almost everything I read. So much to take in. BigRail
I was just happy to get them running. The bottom trains are a 3rd Rail Strasburg 475 with MTH wooden Strasburg cars and the other train is a Williams 773 Hudson pulling a whole bunch of Mernards military cars. I'll do some better video of those too in future. Plus I have my double track elevated subway cars to show off too. Thanks again. BigRail
