That is a sweet layout. I like it! Just keep going till you get the bugs out. Nothing better than knowing you can walk up to your layout, flip a switch and everything works, and you have confidence it will work every time. Keep your eyes on the prize. That is your motivational message for the day. No charge.
Cheers, W1
Thanks. 
My plan is indeed to work out any oddities with the switches before pressing forward with more changes. I think if I get the lighter springs for the few that are having switch machine stall issues, and get my new relay boards installed, I should have any remaining switch problems licked.
I did go around with my Dremel with the Cratex wheel and polish all the points, that actually helped smooth the transit through a number of the switches, there were some burrs on them that sometimes would catch a wheel. I suppose if you run enough they get worn off, but I'm wanting them gone before then. 
Hi John, specifically what parts on the switch did find that gave you the most trouble and that you had to polish? Was it the plastic frog or some of the end points on the metal rails like the common leads or powered center rails?
The parts I was polishing was the end point on the metal rails, the common rails are usually the ones that can pick a wheel. I also had one switch that the rail was not ground at all like they normally are, that one took a bit of grinding and then polish to get it right, it was derailing things at any speed because there was a huge "bump" as the wheel hit the rail head on!
Finally got started on my freight yard extension, the first steps.
The astute observer will notice this is a hybrid build, some of the beams are Mianne, and others are home brew. I had some of the necessary beam sizes and the legs, but the 30" cross beams were not in house. Since I didn't want to wait, they're made from scrap 3/4" lumber, plywood and pine. They were cut to the same size as the Mianne beams would be, and they're secured with screws through the legs. They'll support the top just fine and I didn't have to wait a couple months for the missing Mianne parts. 
As with my other benchwork, I'm leaving the open front for storage under the layout.
Looking great John! Good job on the hybrid. 👍🏻👍🏻
A blind observer would be able to tell my layout is a hybrid! 😉 Multiple materials.
John, once you put the plywood on top, and finish it off, who would know unless under the layout? It looks as sturdy as the Mianne would be so all is well.
My layout has dimensional lumber, 1x3, 1x4 and facia trim. Runs trains all day long with no earthquakes or tremors :-)
Admire it--have printed copy of benchwork really like the understorage area.
Very nicely done, @gunrunnerjohn! I believe you have some carpentry skills lurking as well. The upper level, while minimal, really blends with the boundaries of your layout. I know Tom helped quite a bit on the main layout but if I'm not mistaken the upper deck was all your handy work. The transition to the upper level cut into the homosote must really smooth out that transition. I'm taking notes.
You may have commented before on this but do you notice much difference in sound level on the upper deck without the homosote and only the foam roadbed?
Dan, the upper deck is indeed noisier, and I'm going to be addressing that. I have several ideas on the noise suppression, we'll see.
Looking forward to having the extra yard space, still some miles to go.
John, When you layout the deck material for the yard would you still have in the back of your mind to be considering an engine servicing yard on the opposite side of that portion of the room?
If so Maybe build in a node for an abutment like we did on the main layout corner. Plus another node on the opposite corner to provide a parallel edge for an lift out abutment. Maybe an asymmetrical sweeping curve to connect the two nodes? Something like:
I could stop over with some templates and long flexible lath to lay this out.
Not sure if it was mentioned before, but I’m wondering how you will connect the yard to the main layout. Lift out? Drop down? Also curious if you will use a Ross 4 way for the yard.
@Tom Tee posted:John, When you layout the deck material for the yard would you still have in the back of your mind to be considering an engine servicing yard on the opposite side of that portion of the room?
If so Maybe build in a node for an abutment like we did on the main layout corner. Plus another node on the opposite corner to provide a parallel edge for an lift out abutment. Maybe an asymmetrical sweeping curve to connect the two nodes? Something like:
I could stop over with some templates and long flexible lath to lay this out.
Always open to expansion possibilities, and perhaps a consultation before I stick the top on would be useful.
@Lehigh74 posted:Not sure if it was mentioned before, but I’m wondering how you will connect the yard to the main layout. Lift out? Drop down? Also curious if you will use a Ross 4 way for the yard.
I'm considering a hinged section, don't know if it will drop down or hinge up. I have two Ross 4-way switches for the eight tracks in the yard, they'll be fed by the two tracks coming off the main layout table.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Dan, the upper deck is indeed noisier, and I'm going to be addressing that. I have several ideas on the noise suppression, we'll see.
Looking forward to having the extra yard space, still some miles to go.
Thanks for making that mistake before I did! I'll cross that off my plans.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Always open to expansion possibilities, and perhaps a consultation before I stick the top on would be useful.
I'm considering a hinged section, don't know if it will drop down or hinge up.
Ever consider a corner table on castors? Swing open sideways. I'm sure Tom will have a plan.
@turkey_hollow_rr posted:Thanks for making that mistake before I did!
Yep, I was pretty sure it would be noisier, but I think putting some sound block material on the underside will tame it a lot. In any case, right now it's not nearly as loud as Fastrack! 
@turkey_hollow_rr posted:Ever consider a corner table on castors? Swing open sideways. I'm sure Tom will have a plan.
I think swing open sideways would be more complicated than simply a bridge between the two.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I'm considering a hinged section, don't know if it will drop down or hinge up. I have two Ross 4-way switches for the eight tracks in the yard, they'll be fed by the two tracks coming off the main layout table.
If you are going for a drop down or hinge up, I highly recommend you read Mr. Barrett’s Backshop column in OGR Magazine April/May 2014. I copied his design and it had worked well.
How frequently will you need access ?
If the span is relatively small and will not need to be accessed more than once or twice a year, you may want to consider a simple lift-out rather than a hinged section.
The lift-out is also under consideration, I can use locating pins to insure exact alignment. You're right, I doubt I'll need to get back there a lot, and I can still duck under. I go in the middle a lot more, so the lift-bridge is really earning it's keep there.
Looks like another test bench to me. Keep up the good work.
Charlie
I have eleven bridges most over access ways some which are wired with mechanical provision to be lifted out but I choose not to. I simply position a roll away chair or stool under the track and swing back and forth. Simplicity makes my day.
One example, The height of the lifted bridge and the seat position work perfectly:
How-a-bout the two track lift out becomes a four track lift out? I am concerned about how much length the dual 4 ways will consume.
If the lift out was four track the each track would only need one switch on the other side. And the tracks can be splayed. They do not have to be parallel on the bridge. The bridge could be keystone in shape. Even wrap around the nose like so:
Maybe even chop up a 4 way to free the switches.
A tri-wye arrangement of three curved switches can make 4 sidings out of one feeder as below:
There are always custom made three rail turnouts:
Met GRJ recently and got the tour. Reminds me of meeting Phil Klop some years ago and getting the tour of his home layout. Mark
Plans change...
The yard is under construction, but it got changed up. Gone are the two 4-way switches and they were replaced with a bunch of #6 switches and a "Y" that allow a configuration with longer usable yard tracks. The switches will actually be pushed back to the main table or on the bridge section, the whole 12 foot yard will now be usable track space. Also, the yard went from 8 tracks to 9 tracks.
Looks nice, John!
A master craftsman at work! It looks great!
-Greg
@Greg Houser posted:A master craftsman at work! It looks great!
Too bad I'm just the goof with the camera phone, and not the real master craftsman! 
Hopefully I'll be able to get my switches fairly quickly and get the yard up and running.
Nice change, John... you can never have enough yard space!!!
I knew that going in Paul, this was planned practically from the beginning. It just took a few months to organize the room and take care of other priorities.
After this gets laying flat, I'm considering double-decking my hidden yard tracks at the back with another set above them.
And here I thought that was you with the sander, John!! I couldn’t make it look that good!
That's a great looking yard, John! Smooth, I like it better than with the specialty switches. The location with the rest of your layout blends well and I see now why you wanted that lift out section.
Beautiful, John. I absolutely love how it is coming together!
Peter
John,
I hope you have used all of your leg assemblies... see what happens when you have extras around-lots of work !!!!
Good place for a yard - a very useful yard it shall be.
Looks nice John. I like the new track arrangement too, one can never have enough yard space. You are lucky to have Tom nearby to lend a hand too. (Or do most of the work in this case) 
Next you can blast a hole through the wall do a run around the yard outside! 
Bob
Oh wow John, I sort of got lost on which topic this one was as there are a few layout topics I have been following. Nice fix for the yard.
Thanks guys, I'm really looking forward to having more yard space, it's a weakness in my initial plan. If I had it to do all over again, I'd have figured out a way to have a lower level hidden yard. However, that ship has sailed.
Looking great John! Its nice to have friends like Tom to be able to help you out. I like your idea of double layer yard tracks! I like others will be sitting here on the side and keep watching!
Beautiful benchwork and layout, John.
John,
I too regret not adding the yard space in my current layout, when I move the plan will get expanded to include yard space as well as lower storage even if it takes a small helix to accomplish.
Looking good, John. Can't have enough yard space, can't have enough yard tracks and yard tracks can't be too long.
More work today, made some nice progress.
Dropped the wood on and this is the process for creating the curved edges.
After the tracing, fire up the jigsaw and cut to our edge design.
This is a very valuable piece of real estate, a signed Tom Tee layout!
Tom insisted that we add a little bump-out "just in case" I decide to stick an O72 curve to yet more benchwork and who knows what!
I figured I'd better disown the idea, my better half might not be amused.
We trace all the cross-members from below, then turn over the sheets and drill small holes. This allows us to map out on the top where the beams are to nail down the top.
Next step is to route the Homasote edge after applying it, getting ready for the support blocks and fascia to be added.
All cleaned up, I have to add a couple hundred screws and then apply the filler to create a smooth surface.
This is the lip that the removable bridge will rest on, before fitting the bridge, we'll add the J-channel to protect the edge of the Homasote so it won't get dog eared.
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