Hello, Elliot!
Oh man, does this bring back memories! Countless years of use, many years ago - for both work and for my old HO layouts! I still have all the drawing instruments, templates, mechanical pencils, leads, erasers, sharpeners, etc., but not my drafting machine.
Thank you once again for the updates, and congrats on your daughter's graduation.
Alex
BIG_BOY_4005, It's been a while since I've checked into this thread and as per usual there's been tons of progress. This is made more impressive just by the sheer size of the layout. It's going to be beautiful when it's done!
BTW you mentioned a "guinea pig" opp. session in your near future. This is a great idea but I'd like to offer up a suggestion. Rather than running trains you should be walking around taking notes (or get someone to do it for you) to keep track of all the issues that come up and to quickly debug the things that can be debugged on the spot. This will make the debugging process that much shorter so you can start your scenery sooner.
Hey guys, I'm so sorry I didn't reply sooner. The month is almost gone, and I'm just catching this now. Thanks for all your support.
RTR12 - I don't want to tip my hand too much for the June update, but Gary came over again yesterday, and we started to formulate a plan so he could make a timetable. In the back of my mind, I have always been thinking about this, but it will soon become a reality. Gary is still a little overwhelmed by the layout, but after another four hour tour, I sent him home with a small notebook full of papers. The plot thickens! 
GG1MAN - Good to hear that you and yours are doing well. CANCER SUCKS!!!! While mine is squarely in my rear view mirror, it cost me five years of working on the layout, by messing with my head. Unfortunately, 25 years of diabetes is really catching up to me, and there is a new monster on the horizon. As a result, I feel kind of crummy a lot of days, which kind of helps explain the slow down in progress. I think the fact that I want to see this thing run is what keeps me going.
Alex - Yeah, drafting tables with paper and pencil are so old school. I could just never bring myself to learn CAD. It would be so much cleaner. It is all I can do to work with MS Paint, but in the June update I'll show everyone my creations. I still need to finish that full sheet, but it is not critical.
MRB - Gary brings a lot to the table, since he has an operations based HO layout in his basement. An experienced crew is a big part of that. The plan is to start small, maybe three plus Gary and me. We'll have to do orientation before we start running trains. I will be the "fireman", running around taking notes and fixing the little things on the fly. There will be a lot of debugging before we can advance to the next step.
I'll be eagerly watching for the next Update!! Diabetes is a bad disease, follow your Dr's orders carefully!! My son-in-law's father died at a pretty young age from diabetes (just a year or two over 60 as I recall), most likely because he wasn't following the Dr's orders. It is nothing to mess with, please be careful and good luck!!
Well, this topic has now been running for four and a half years. Thanks to all of you who have helped make it possible. 
June was spent working on four specific projects. Two of them were prompted by Gary, my new operations guru. The other two were physical projects for the layout that have been going on for quite a while now.
Let's start with a project that began about a year ago. I cracked the whip a bit with my wife, and we finished the assembly of the SSD cards. To refresh everyone's memory, SSD stands for Searchlight Signal Driver. These boards will be part of my signaling system, and control individual bi-color LED's. Twelve circuits per card, one LED per circuit. We had completed nine of the eighteen cards a while ago, but it was time to finish the second nine.
It may be a while before I get back to these. They still need to be tested. Then the actual signals have to be built and installed, and finally C/MRI and JMRI have to be up and running. I have all the parts, stay tuned.
Next up, the uncoupler control modules. There are eleven of these units that will be scattered around the layout. Some of the units will control as many as ten uncoupler magnets, others as few as three. There's still a lot of work to be done to get the magnets operational, but all of the modules are up to the same point now.
Here I'm making the daisy chain that will distribute the magnet power to the relays on the module.
This is what a simple four unit module looks like. Also this month I mounted the terminal strips, and added wires from the relays that will connect to the magnets (not shown).
Gary requested that I provide him with "stick drawings" of the layout. I spent a couple of days using MS Paint to create these. The other thing that got done in the process was to assign names to all of the layout's industries. There are 32 industries. I've always had an idea of what they were, but it really brings things into better focus to have the names for all the tracks. Once again my wife got involved, and made a set of signs for the layout.
I made 23 of these drawings, and put them in a 3 ring binder. I'm not going to post them all right now, but here are some of the more interesting ones, along with actual layout photos to go with them.
This drawing is just an overview of the whole layout. The layout is really a loop to loop design. The hidden yard / staging is built on a reverse loop, then there is a connecting track, ant the whole visible part of the layout is the other loop. Go around clockwise and you're heading west, counter clockwise and you are heading east.
I've posted these next three here in the past, but I thought it would help to have them handy to see again.
Here's the new stuff!
The plan for July is to build a large relay panel and move the hidden yard controls over to the dispatching corner, so one person can watch the cameras and move the trains. I'd also like to start getting the uncoupler controls installed and operational. Lots to do!
Am sure those SSD cards are time consuming to create.
Thanks for this months update sometimes it's the little things that stalls huge progress but am sure things will once again move faster.
On another front any word locally on when union depot cameras will be operational?
We just kept chipping away at those cards. We would go downstairs and put one component on all 9 cards, that's 108 pieces, and 216 solder joints. If we were feeling good, we'd do a second round at a sitting.
As for the depot cameras, they'll probably have them fixed just about the time the Builder gets defunded.
Typo? "Go around clockwise and you're heading west, counter clockwise and you are heading west."
Mill City posted:Typo? "Go around clockwise and you're heading west, counter clockwise and you are heading west."
Oops, good eye Jon. Fixed!
Elliot
Thanks for the updates. Sure hope you have some help with this MASSIVE undertaking
All I can say is when this is "done", you have to arrange tours and sell tickets! 
I agree with GUNRUNNERJOHN. Following along with all the progress reports you have come a long way Elliot. With a layout of the size you have been building the plus factor was a group of guys you could count on for help. So when all is said and completed I would stand in line, pay for admission to see the completed layout running.........Paul
OMG, Eliot. Looking at the schematic of the layout, I just realized that it's bigger than my hometown in NH.
God bless & keep up the good work. By the way, does GRJ control ticket sales?
Great stuff, Elliot! Sign me up for the Hiawatha Ave switch job. That will keep somebody busy for a couple of hours at least. Thanks for providing all the details this time around.
Why is it that my head always hurts after reading these updates?
Another nice update, you are still making good progress. I also still look forward to these each month, please keep them coming.
Gonna be some really great stuff there when finished!!
As always, thanks guys!!
Steve - Help has been hit and miss of late. Gary is my latest addition, and has been getting me started toward operations now that 95% of the construction is complete. There is still a lot to do though, most of which is electrical control. Then there's all the scenery. Lots left to do, I'll take all the help I can get.
John - I've already done the whole "charge admission" thing, 25 years ago with enterTRAINment at Mall of America. This layout is free to visit, and open to anyone reading this. All you have to do is, get to the Twin Cities, and let me know that you want to visit. Email is best.
Paul - You know the old saying "a train layout is never finished". I'm still pushing to have this thing in shape for the National Narrow Gauge Convention, Labor Day weekend 2018. The committee will make their final decision in March, so the heat is on.
Matt - At 1900 square feet, the layout is admittedly huge. Last weekend I was at a train buddy's house, and one of the guys there said the layout is bigger than his whole house.
The size of the layout is directly related to my space back at the mall, where I had 2000. There is a lot more space in the basement, the train room is less than half, but I chose not to take any more. Probably a wise move. This is plenty. I certainly don't find myself wishing for more.
Bob - I'd love to have you come up for an operating session once we get this thing going. Gary has an HO layout which he and his crew operate every first Friday. I'm going to visit this week and meet the crew. I suspect that a bunch of them will become part of my crew. The talk is that we will need 12 - 15 to run this thing at full capacity. The Hiawatha job will probably be a full time position, with a dedicated switching unit, and the Minnesota Commercial (a transfer railroad) will deliver and pick up cars to and from that small yard at the east end.
Jon - Do I need a disclaimer saying "Take Tylenol before reading"? Why don't you come out for a visit? No work, just social. Lemon bars under the gazebo?
RTR12 - Oh, the updates will keep coming like clockwork. In my opinion, the most interesting stuff is still coming. That would be the computer controls. It is becoming more obvious that the dispatcher's panel is the key to the operation because it will allow one person to direct all mainline traffic. It looks like it will be very difficult to have any serious operations until that is in place.
Elliot,
This never ceases to amaze, and the stick drawings go a long way towards clearly illustrating the immense undertaking at hand. I can certainly understand where a computer and cameras would be necessary when a single operator is desired....there's only so much of the layout that can be viewed at any one time without aids. Just contemplating the enormous amount of wiring involved boggles the mind. Betcha wish Tesla had discovered a way of transmitting power wirelessly, eh?
I couldn't imagine a better reason for visiting the Twin Cities, just to see your layout in operation. If only arriving there on the morning Hi were possible, I'd die a happy man.
Bruce
Big_Boy_4005 posted:
RTR12 - Oh, the updates will keep coming like clockwork. In my opinion, the most interesting stuff is still coming. That would be the computer controls. It is becoming more obvious that the dispatcher's panel is the key to the operation because it will allow one person to direct all mainline traffic. It looks like it will be very difficult to have any serious operations until that is in place.
That sounds great, and the wiring and controls are my favorite part!! Learning more about operation, dispatching, main line control, etc. I know very little about and that will be interesting as well. Looking forward to it all and the more details the better!!
Awesome. What software do you use for the train schematics pictures?
Another great month, Elliot! Your wife is a real trooper helping you with the boards and all! Glad to see the updates!!
Bruce - Like I said, there are another eleven of those stick drawings that I didn't originally post. Here are a couple more. These are personal favorites.
RTR12 - I have all the hardware for C/MRI and much of it is in place. I still have to connect all the panels together with a serial line, and get 110V to the power supplies to run it. Then I need to draw the dispatcher's panel using JMRI Panel Pro. After that the individual bit controls have to be linked to the panel devices. Those cards we finished last month are the last piece of the system, and the C/MRI bits will control them.
George - Those were drawn with MS Paint.
Mark - Thanks, it's not a real stretch for her to place the components on the cards. She did it for a living for a couple years.
Elliot, once again, WOW! The size of your layout and the organization you show in your approach, is amazing. Lots of progress and slowly but surely you approach your goal. Thanks again for letting us follow along.
You never cease to amaze Elliot. The scope of your layout is remarkable.
Bob
Jon, you got an invite!!!!! I wouldn't mind an apology.
Elliot, I understand about your wife loading components. Having worked in electronics for 41 years, I have taken a few factory tours, and have seen mostly ladies have the job of loading components and soldering if they don't have something automatic.
Elliot just got back in and wanted to check the progress. Congratulations; you keep moving forward. The stick drawings are a tremendous help in understanding what you are doing.
Good on luck in July.
I made this list at the end of 2016. Since we are a little more than half way through 2017, I thought it would be fun to see how it's really working out, compared to my wish list.
Host NMRA division layout tour (done)
Move hidden yard controls to dispatch area (done)
Paint rails (good progress, lots left to do)
Ballast ( " " " " " " )
Fill in holes between tracks in prep for scenery (working)
Install uncoupler magnets and controls ( " )
Do foam land forms (some progress)
Finish backdrop construction (coming soon)
Finish layout fascia ( " )
Finish painting fascia ( " )
Apply graphics and labels to fascia ( " )
Connect detection wires to panels (late fall)
Finish connecting CMRI wires and test system ( " )
Create CTC control panel using JMRI ( " )
Host an operating session ( " )
I started July by finishing the pre-wiring of the uncoupler controls. All twelve boards are ready for install.
Then it was time to finish moving the hidden yard controls. This was not something I was looking forward to. It meant taking something that was working, and destroying then rebuilding it.
Junior too!
All these wires had to be moved...
and tied into this new relay panel, which I built from scratch.
Here it is hung back in its opening under Red Wing.
The phone cable runs over the door, and controls the relays on the panel, which turn track power off and on.
Meanwhile back at the dispatcher's desk, the wires are prepped for the panel to come over.
The panel is ready...
let the unwiring begin.
The way is now clear for backdrop and fascia.
I built a new frame to hold both panels.
I built a custom car card pocket for the big hidden yard, and mounted the engine chip racks to the wall.
The desk is still a little cluttered, but the big picture is getting clearer. With the exception of one switch, the big hidden yard is back in service. With the cameras on, trains can be advanced through the yard, smoothly, by a single operator.
As of now, I have a defined position for the future operating sessions. What I really need next is the other monitor running my JMRI CTC panel.
This is getting exciting!
Nice job, Elliot. You've made a lot of progress this month. Neat, correct, wiring is tedious and time consuming.
your really moving along you had a good month!
now that dispatchers area I can see an elderly visor rimed man with old time glasses and a stogy chomping away getting trains navigated past division street wye.
sounds like JMRI in fall will assume only the preliminary items with full function at a later date?
Thanks Pat and Ray!
Pat - It looks nice and neat, but when I went to test the stopping blocks the first time, nothing worked. I figured it out fairly quickly though. I got the Normally Open and Normally Closed terminals on the relay sockets confused. I had to move 30 wires, a little over a half hour, then it all worked as planned. I'm still fighting with one turnout. I've run a few tests, which all came back clean. I still need to check for voltage drop, the wire in question is very long. If necessary, I could reroute it and cut out 30'. Strange thing is, there are three others of similar length that work.
Ray - That's the perfect image! When done there will be a second dispatcher. The first one runs the hidden yards, the second will run the entire mainline system. In order to get the CTC screen going, I have to draw it with JMRI Panel Pro, get C/MRI functioning, then assign the devices to the diagram. Turnouts first, detection next, and finally signals.
BTW, I forgot to mention, there are just 13 months left before the National Narrow Gauge Convention. Operations aren't as important for that as having it look better with some scenery. I'll have to balance my time for the best results.
Elliot,
Wonderful work and progress! We are sure you and helpers will get it done in time. Love your updates.
Elliot the progress is amazing. I remember your list of things to do from several years ago which was incredible. And now you have gotten it down to where you are talking about operations, scenery, control, etc and it is all coming together.
Yes, it is really exciting to watch. Your work is excellent. Thanks for sharing this with all of us. We sure hope to get out and see this at some point in the future.
You are an inspiration to many.
Elliot... I thought you'd like my elderly man remark.
to bad you can't project images of scenery and make it look real for the 13 months to that convention time.
non related to your update post I received a reply from ? at train depot about camera's said they have no definite timeline of being working again but will be operational someday!!
Elliott:
Every time I look at, read about or even think about your layout I get extremely tired. Really. It just completely wears me out knowing how many hours and hours and hours and hours of time, blood, sweat and tears that has went into that layout. It is simply almost incomprehensible.
My layout is like a loop of track under a Christmas Tree compared to your and I thank God that I have 4 other people who have played HUGE roles in making the Glacier Line what it is today.
Man I just don't know how you do it. It is a monumental task just reading this thread!
Another great update and I agree with you, things are getting exciting. Much more so for you I'm sure, but I think following along is getting more exciting too.
Elliot,
All that wiring can get tedious very fast, but you made excellent progress nonetheless!
Thank you for the update, as always.
Alex
Thanks guys!!
Randy - Help has been hard to come by of late. Gary, my operations guy, has been quietly working behind the scene. Even though he handed me a twenty item to do list, I still consider it help. I took his random list, and prioritized it. The uncouplers and control panels were high on it, so I get to start checking things off. I'm just going to keep pounding away at it.
Bill - It feels really good to be getting so many of these things done. The trick is to stay focused in the face of all that needs doing. I'll be back on the case tomorrow, after taking the day off today.
Ray - I suspect that when I start to have operating sessions, a few of those guys might step up and kick in a little scenery help. Fingers crossed. As for the cameras, I've all but given up hope. It will be a pleasant surprise if and when they come back on. Clearly a low priority for them.
John - I'm sure that you of all people understand that this is a labor of love. Don't sell your layout short, after all you've been featured in the magazine. I suspect that my moment in the spotlight will come in the next couple years. I for one, really appreciate your efforts to expose this group to operations and layout design. The 3 rail world can benefit from more use of these concepts to overcome some of the "toy" stigma. Not that there's anything wrong with the toy angle, it is really the root of all electric trains, but there is a whole different world left to be explored.
RTR12 - After I had the panel hooked up and tested, I started to move the trains in the yard. Things were going great, and I was having that kind of fun that comes from satisfaction of a job well done. Then I ran into some dirty track, and a train that was stuck. Major let down. I spent two days looking for my track cleaning car. Finally found it. I need to clear the tracks and run it through.
Alex - Wiring is tedious, especially with the quantity that I have to do, to achieve all my goals. As I sit there working on these projects and count down the connections left to be done. The fun comes when I see everything working as intended. The upcoming computer stuff is kind of scary, but once I get success on the one, the rest is simply repetition. Lots of work, but no new thinking.
I break out in hives every time I read one of these. That's like a full time job+++, talk about a major undertaking! It's great to see things taking shape, we can live vicariously through your labors.
As usual, impressive work being done.
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