Tom - You're just being modest. From what I've seen of your railroad, you are much more of a craftsman than I am. Doing 2 rail is much more difficult, as track work is much less forgiving, and all of the electrical considerations that go with it. It is always a good idea to take lots of pictures as you go. That way, when you think you aren't making a lot of progress, you can go back in time, and prove that you are. Personally, I wouldn't trade my large layout for the world. It has become a big part of who I am. Beside, it's fun and there are always new challenges.
John - I'm using the standalone 5-pad. The datasheet is in the link. If you can tell me what to do, I can take care of it. If it comes down to it, I have a couple spares, I could send you one. Thanks!
George - Thanks, I try. It goes a lot better when I have a little help, but the summer was pretty thin, and the usual suspects were all busy with their own lives. Maybe fall will see some of them crawl back out of the woodwork.
Fingers crossed. Yes, that's an 86' box car, and there are a lot more of them up there, along with a fleet of 89' auto racks. That upper level is the old Twin Cities Ford Assembly Plant. Unfortunately, the plant closed in 2011, and the building was torn down. The tracks are still mostly there while the city decides what to do with the land.
Here's the real Ford Plant, the building is off in the distance obscured by the fog.
