Layout Update 9-16-15
Track, track, track. September saw a lot of track being installed. We're almost 2/3 of the way there
and there's still a lot more to do, but its great to finally see the layout really take shape.
The hole on the right is for the USS Scout. It was a cargo ship used by Bethlehem Steel. The tracks in the middle are for the dock that the Scout is tied up to. These dock tracks will eventually be covered with styrene to make it look like they are in concrete. That's why there is no ballast on them.
A close-up of the dock area.
The west end of the inbound full coal yard is completed and the switches for the outbound empty coal yard is being roughed in.
Here's a little better view from overhead.
Looking at the terminal again, the track on the far right is the switching lead for the car floats and dock area. Also, the switch from the lead track into the terminal ladder to allow engines easy access to the eastbound mainline.
Another shot from the dumper at the kickback track switch and beginning of the empties yard.
Low shot of the dock area.
The west end of the empty coal yard is installed.
This is the east end of the coal yards being roughed in on the right.
Here's a quick movie of one of the test runs over the new track. Since the track has not been wired yet, we were using the 5-finger switcher to power the train (I pushed it). Normally we don't run at Lionel speeds, but you have to test it just to be safe later.
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