Hi Everybody--
This project has hardly gotten off the ground. I apologize!! Too many personal things interfering! Anyway, this past Saturday, Suzie and I got the furniture removed from the Living Room that "needed" to be removed. We took down the train display rack in the dining room and sat it in front of the gas fireplace (which is totally turned off) to help keep cool air from blowing in. Besides the central heat generated by our furnace, there is another gas fireplace in the Family Room where we spend most of our time!
We unpacked the cartons containing those "support tables" (4) that I was going to use to support the plywood tops as shown in Photo 1. Boy, what a mess ! Cardboard, foam, peanuts, snow-- all over the place. Monday I packed my SUV to the gills and hauled everything out to the Dump.. Cleaned the living room and rinsed off our deck.
We assembled the four tables. Suzie felt they were too flimsy or shaky to support a layout with heavy locomotives. So-- what to do ?
We placed one in my upstairs office to use for sorting paperwork and photos. She wants to use two of them on our deck when we have parties ! The fourth one is being relegated (sic) to my Shop area between our Kitchen and the garage.
We already owned TWO 6-foot commercial tables which will safely support 2000 lbs and which Suzie has "deeded" to me. (6 ft long by 30" wide) See Photo 2.
Then Suzie surprised me again this morning my "deeding" me another similar table, but smaller, to add to the 'supporting structures' ... (4 ft long by 24" wide) ...
See Photo 3. It supports a MAX load of 850 lbs. Then I have a couple of heavy duty shelf units (bookcases) that will add further support as needed. See Photo 4.
TWO additional Commercial-grade tables (6 foot by 30") as shown previously in
Photo 2 have been ordered from "Lifetime" in Utah for $ 300.00 ! How 'bout a loan, guys ? (grin) They are going out to me tomorrow via FedEx.
So, with FOUR commercial tables, a slightly smaller commercial table and a couple of heavy-duty bookcases, I hope to hold this "dream layout" in the air and not let it fall !
All track (98 %) will be Tubular. Lionel 022 switches, couple of 072 switches, possibly two Ross switches. Relays, lights, wire, Simpson analog meters, TVS diodes, 10-amp circuit breakers, Power tap switches, toggle switches, Ohmite 20-watt power resistors, extra lockons, extra steel pins, extra fiber pins, 200 grain of wheat bulbs (for buildings), approx. 30 insulated track sections, Two 'ZW', One "KW" and One "LW" transformer(s) for primary power, have been purchased and are at the ready ! Other units on-hand for Secondary AC and DC applications... TWO 3300+ joule 15-amp Suppressor power strips (to protect transformer inputs) .. All power units to be properly PHASED as required !
With a FIFTY year background in Electronics (High school, college, Navy and Bell System) I believe I can get this all figured out. Thanks to a lot of YOU for various ideas. Of course "Gunrunner John", "Dale H." and others are wondering what in the hell is he doing ? (grin)
Besides photos, circuit diagrams will be saved on a CD and shared with you guys as we go along! Sound fair ?
Later this evening, I will order my lumber online from Home Depot and some joist hangars and pick it up later this week. I'm busy this weekend though. Suzie and I are participating in the TNW (Tacoma Northwestern) Train Show and Swap Meet at Freighthouse Square in Tacoma, WA. Pop in and say hello if you're in the area ! We'd be glad to meet you...
By the way, my Walmart roll-around cart that was suggested by an OGR forum member remains to be assembled to roll power equipment under the layout when not in use. Suzie told me this morning to take the one from upstairs as well as I'll probably need the capacity and storage! (What a gal!!)
Wish me luck-- starting soon.. Thanks for everyone's support! I'll keep you all advised. Just getting a SLOW start..
Cheers.
Ken Shattock (KRK)
