Thanks for the compliments, guys!
We haven't done as much train stuff lately as the weather has been turning nicer and nicer. However, we did manage to play some trains the other day, finish-up all of the track wiring (including siding power switches), and test an idea or two. Here goes:
Here's a shot from the first run with the kids. I have the first PS2 engine I ever got (the Railking Blue Comet) and my premier Pioneer Zephyr running in the below - both worked great on the track!
I also tested some ideas for lighting the hinged bridge. Here's a remote control LED light strip that can be set to any number of colors - I just kind of set it there to get an idea.
Looks pretty neat when lit (pics don't do it justice), but not sure if that's the route I want to go:
By popular demand, we also ran the pink GG-1 set:
The boys driving the Zephyr:
Layout shot:
Looking for hidden minions:
More train driving:
This is generally what I find if I go down at night to work on the layout:
My daughter working on her HO layout:
My lighted power switches for sidings. I will eventually build panels to hold these. I think they came out great, and were very cost effective... but I made one miscalculation. In the interests of safety, I try to ensure everything is over-spec'd. In this case, I got switches capable of handling a lot of throughput (15A, 250V) to make sure layout voltage and current would be no sweat. I failed to consider, though, that 18V may be insufficient to light the bulb. Bummer, but no biggie.
Also in the pic you can see the space clips I used to connect to the switches. Should be handy if I need to re-arrange wires or remove a switch.
More power switches!
The Crusader, my only recent roster addition, makes is maiden run on the layout:
Next up, wiring buildings, dressing the viaducts, completing the mountains, and trimming out the layout edge.
