I had a few minutes to work in the basement today and started throwing track at the thru-yard area, and guess what? I over-ordered both track and switches and ended up with a pile of Ross 29" straight sections, and 3 switches; a new #4 L-hand switch and from the last layout a #4 R-hand and a O-96 switches. So... I've got switches and I've got track so I created more sidings. I put a new long industrial spur on the back section and built a substantial engine servicing area in the yard area in the front section.
Here's the new layout design.
On the above design, all those red circles indicate where insulating pins are installed. I'm installing all of them during this rough-out period. I'm also marking the OSB where they are so I can account for all the feeder wires' locations. The only drawback from adding all this track is less space for buildings and structures, but it will guarantee that I'll enough storage for the engines. I don't mind pulling cars off the tracks for storage, but I don't like handling engines any more than is absolutely necessary. They're heavy and some are very delicate. Just like their 1:1 cousins, when they're off the rails, they're in big trouble.
Here's an overview progress shot with the tracks just thrown in place. I did not cut any to fit nor connect any track pins, but I wanted to see how many pieces I would need. That's when I found that I had a significant surplus of straight sections. I don't have the same luxury regarding curved pieces. And I have a box of cut pieces which was added to today when I discovered an unopened box from the last tear down.
I'm going to have to fill the last remaining hole in the OSB since the yard tracks are crossing into empty space. I was going to fill all of the gaps with foam board anyway when they were just going to support buildings and such, but if trains are going over the area, I want to have something more substantial holding them up. Some of these engines weigh over 11 pounds!
I just tried to insert two pics that were in portrait format, but they came out on their side. This has happened to me before. Does anyone know how to keep it from happening?
Tomorrow I will fit all these pieces together. I don't know if I'll have enough roadbed since these new tracks were not in the original estimate. I can only hope that since I over bought the track, maybe I did the same for the roadbed.
