As I mark the second anniversary of this topic, it has been a fantastic year for the Twin Cities Central.
I would like to thank my crew, Patrick, Matt, and this year's addition Jon, for the hundreds of hours they've spent working with me. Without them, I might have just given up on this crazy project. And then there's the unsung hero in all this, my wife Tammy. She makes dinner for everyone after each work session.
And finally, a huge thanks to all of you, my forum friends and loyal readers. I've said this before, but it bears repeating. All of your wonderful comments keep me motivated, and it is my pleasure to share this journey with all of you.
Let's start with the December progress report. The month began with a visit from Patrick. We put down 4 sheets of fiberboard and hung 3 sections of backdrop.
There was still a little bit of leftover junk down at the far end.
A few days later, all the junk was gone. The upper deck will be the Ford Plant, the lower, the Hiawatha Milling District. Above the bookshelves the Midway Amtrak Depot.
Jon came over and we completed the last bit of wiring in the hidden yard. All of the trains that once occupied the upper decks in this aisle are now neatly stored underneath.
Jon came over a few days later, and we finished the last section of fiberboard and the last 2 sections of backdrop. Then we drew the track plan for Hiawatha.
This was always one of the first parts I wanted to do, and it's going to be one of the last to get done.
I was so excited, I had to open a set of Railking high voltage towers.
I purchased the Micro Mark car card system, and with the help of my wife, inventoried and filled out the cards for all the cars currently on the layout. Unfortunately, we are only about 35-40% done with the project, but at least we are caught up.
Track laying resumed around the final curve and down the "home stretch" along the south wall.
The final crossover before the far west end of the mainline.
This is where east meets west...
and a golden spike is driven!!!
Well, actually it's a brass nail with the head ground down, but it's the thought that counts.
Now for a look back at 2014. As I said back at the top of this post, it was a year of great progress. I had set a goal of spending an average of 2 hours per day. I'm pleased to say that I surpassed that slightly with a 2.36 h/d avg.
This is what got done:
- All of the junk was cleared from the train room.
- Rolling stock inventory and car cards started.
- 101 tortoise switch machines were installed.
- 9 temporary control panels built and installed.
- Second power supply brought online.
- Small hidden yard completely built and open.
- Large hidden yard rewired and security cameras installed.
- Backdrop 70% complete.
- Track work 80% complete.
- Layout lighting 90% complete.
- Benchwork 98% complete.
- Mainline 100% complete!
I'm sure there were some other things that I forgot.
Let's close out the year with a little before and after. Here are 5 pairs of photos taken of the same locations. Before is last December. After is today.
The main thing to note here is that the top of the bookshelf is clear.
Track, backdrop and lighting is all done here.
Same story here.
One more time, only more dramatic, because of all the junk that still needed to be moved before any of the work could be done.
On the upper deck are stacks of switches, most of which are now part of the layout.
Don't forget to check out the videos by clicking on the Youtube link in my signature.
Looking forward to an even greater 2015, which may be a tall order, but I'm going to try!!!!
Happy New Year!!!
