Been a while since I posted here, but not for lack of working on the layout. On the contrary, I've been very busy getting ready for hosting on our NMRA division layout tour. Ballasting operations wrapped up for this first batch about a week ago, so track could be cleaned and returned to operation.
Walt came by last Sunday, and we ran trains. It was a good thing too, because right out of the gate we ran into a big problem. One block on the upper deck had a short. But this one was extra tricky. Using GarGraves track, I have one ground rail, and the other outside rail is for detection. The detection rail has three segments, one at the east end (3'), one at the west end (3') and the middle (in this case 24'). It took a while to realize that the train was making it past the east detection OK, but shorting out when it hit the middle detector. We did a visual inspection of the track, and couldn't see anything. Finally, I started cutting the wire that was tied to each 3' section of track, as well as the pins in the rail. After three cuts, the search was narrowed to a single 3' piece. Then I found it, a black 2-56 screw, the type I use to connect the knobs on the manual switch throws, was wedged between the detection rail and the center rail. The strange part of this was, I had run trains through that block at least 30 times without trouble. Thank god we found it during the test run. Something like that could have ruined my day Saturday. Fingers crossed!!!!
Not only did the train room need cleaning, but the room between the stairs and the train room, where I had my chop saw set up, really needed cleaning. There are no before pics, but here's what it looks like now.
Chad (Chester7) made this beautiful sign for me. I think this is the perfect place to show it off.
There's a story behind all of the signs I have. I'll have to tell the one behind the Burlington Route sometime. For now, suffice to say that's where the chop saw used to be.
Scott (Miggy) helped me finish ballasting Interstate last week.
Still lots to do before Saturday. After that, I think I'm going to collapse.
