NTS&B Merry Christmas 2015

Another year has passed, and the layout has progressed a little this year.  The new 8x10 Autumn area is up and running, but still has many track problems to work out, control panels to wire, and accessories to hook up.  As expected, not much has been done since the Piedmont Pilgrimage, due to getting ready for the holidays.   We did a recent trip to Disney to see the lights.   Here are a few pictures.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios Osmond Family Lights (This is the last year they will be there)

Hollywood Studios Osmond Family Lights-Mickey Mouse

Hollywood Studios Osmond Family Lights

Epcot-Sir Donald Duck

Epcot-Morocco-Celebration

Epcot-Norway-Sidrid & Julenissen Mischievous Christmas Gnome Story

Epcot-Italy-LaBefana Kind Hearted Witch Story

Magic Kingdom-Light Parade-Tinker Bell

SAM Shortline Railroad, Cordele Ga-Kathy and Santa

NTS&B Sixth Piedmont Pilgrimage Open House

My sixth Piedmont Pilgrimage turned out to be just as enjoyable as my other ones.  I had 3 full time 'helpers' (Roger & Sherry, and Bob P) , and a couple club members came over.  All told, we had 75 people including ourselves, which is another record.  Fortunately they were spread fairly evenly over the 4 hour period, so it didn't seem to be overly crowded.  The weather was cold and rainy, which may have helped attendance.  I did find out that I beat out a couple very nice HO and O gauge detailed layouts this year.

As usual, the weeks before, I worked my tail off trying to get last minute finishing touches in, mainly on the fall area and raised section..  I am still having track issues, but managed to get a couple trains that would run on each loop reliably (I thought). 

During the open house, I kept having problems on 2 tracks in the new area, and finally found 2 diesels that worked great.  We did not have any problems after that, until after we closed.  Then I laid down the Polar Express on top of the helix because I was controlling the wrong train with the remote.

From what I could tell, everyone seemed to have a good time.  I know I sure did.  Here's what the layout looked like the day before the Pilgrimage.

NTS&B Phase 5 fall raised area town started

Installed and wired the small town on the lift-out section of the raised area.  The light wiring is run over to a barrier strip by the power control station.  There is a 4 pin connector under the lift-out, for easy removal.  I haven't yet installed switches to control the lights, since I have other building and lights to add to the stationary section.  These can not be added until I install the main line track, because I won't know how much clearance I have until then.  Here is what the new town looks like.  The church will be located around the current position, but for now is only temporary.

NTS&B Phase 5 fall raised area track installed

The upper track is now installed.  Since the bridges are partially under the curved track, I had to make wider and slightly longer bases for them.  The small loop has been 'ballasted' and fastened down, with track power run to the power stations. Here is the final results.

NTS&B Phase 5 fall raised area tables tunnel liners and temporary mountain sides installed

Installed felt under tables for tunnel liners.  Also, temporarily installed it on the sides of the raised area, to try to make it look good for the upcoming Piedmont Pilgrimage.  Here's the pictures

 

NTS&B Phase 5 fall raised area tables built and installed

Finally got the plywood, built the tables, and got them painted for the fall raised area.  Big cutout in the middle is for a lift-out access area.

Table with access area removed

NTS&B Phase 5 fall raised area laid in

Hard to believe I'm starting the 9th year working on this.

Making a little progress.  Made cardboard prototype of the 2 raised areas with sides and tunnel portals, and laid track above the disappearing loop to make sure it would fit.  Here are the pictures.

NTS&B Phase 5 'ballast' and track power finished

The ballast (carpet) has been applied to all loops, and the track power permanently connected to the tracks.  The track control switches are all installed and connected in their permanent locations.  Most of the accessories are in their final locations but not wired in.  Trains are running on all tracks, but with some problems to work out yet.  Here are the pictures.

NTS&B Phase 5 module Third Loop and Disappearing Mountain track laid in

Lionel developed a Disappearing Mountain layout in the 1950's to highlight its newest innovation "Magnetraction".    Basically the train went into the mountain and down a steep 1 loop helix, then back up and out the other side of the mountain.  The train was long enough so the caboose entered the mountain just before the engine came out.  Mine is a variation on the theme on the inside siding of loop 3.  The train is long enough so the engine starts coming out just before the caboose goes in, so it has more of an accordion effect.  The outside siding has a Lionel stop train station.  As the train engine passes the station, it stops for a period of time (adjustable in the station) to drop off passengers, then resumes.  Here are some pictures of the  helix being built and the finished loop, with a video showing how it works.

Base of module dropped about 5 inches below table top to allow room for helix

 Module painted, and supports added for upper level of mountain.

 Helix completed and train running. Notice engine entering mountain as caboose  comes out.

Temporary mountain and outside loop laid in. The mountain will continue to the left to the edge of the layout after the 2 tracks next to the current mountain, then a loop of track and a village will be located on top.

NTS&B Phase 5 module Second Loop laid in

The second of 3 loops on this level is now laid in.  It still had a few problems with the switch tracks that need to be worked out.  Accessory clearance continues to be an issue when running the bigger engines and cars, but believe it will all fit.  All of the planned accessories for this area are now out and most are in final position.  None of them are wired in yet.  The train station, beacon light, and Road Runner shack will be moved to the upper level when that is built.  The 2 switch tracks not connected to anything are located approximately where the third loop will be.  Here are some more pictures. A short video is also at the end.

NTS&B Phase 5 module Outside Loop laid in

I finally got the outside loop laid in with the planned and some additional accessories.  I had not planned on using the tractor trailer loader, 1950s Gantry Crane, or 1940's Coal Loader, but may be able to fit them in after all.  I had to re-arrange the track plan multiple times to get the accessories to fit, but believe I finally have it.  Most of the accessories will be on one side, since the other side will have the mainline running over it.  Here are a few pictures of the results.  Wiring will be connected later.

NTS&B - New Gargraves Switch Modifications

The last 4 Gargraves switches I received had the center section redesigned from a solid coffin shaped piece to separate rails.  This has caused multiple shorting issues when running 6 wheel trucks or cars with wider wheels, and uncoupling / shoe problems with cars with shoes.  Below  is a correspondence with Mike from Gargraves, and pictures of what had to be done to modify them to work reliably.

 Original design

 Note to Mike

 Various problems with new design

 Modifications required to switches

Modeling clay used to fill in gap

NTS&B Phase 5 module track layout started

I am scrambling to get something running for the train club meeting tomorrow evening.  The outside loop is laid in for its final configuration.  The sidings in the middle are just temporarily put in to have some place to put spare trains during the meeting.  I thought it fitting that the first model Lionel GG1 from 1947 and its cars from 1948-50 make the maiden voyage.

NTS&B Phase 5 modules painted

For my first attempt at putting the final coat of paint on, I used some left over tan paint I had.  This resulted in a totally too light finish.  I then had to buy a quart of darker brown, which will be the final paint for this section.  I used brown, because this will eventually be the fall (autumn) area.  I also finished painting the small mainline extension where the light house will be located.

First attempt using tan paint

Final attempt.  Blue area will eventually be water feature.

NTS&B Phase 5 module Work Session

I had some volunteers Thursday and Saturday to help with the layout.  Thursday, John L picked up the 3 sheets of plywood to cover the modules.  Saturday Paul M and sons came over and we installed the plywood, and primed it.  Here are the latest pictures:

 New plywood has arrived

 Paul Jr. Cutting out the ocean bay

Plywood installed and primed. Center cutout is for future upper and lower levels

Plywood installed and primed-view from end of layout

 

Vincent M. inspecting my helix after work session was complete