NTS & B Second Winter Layer Module Added

Feb 2008 - The second module on the winter layer is complete. One more to go on this layer. Close to being ready for Helix. Model is shown for reference. Also, experimented with foam scenery and tunnel portal on area between subway and mainline levels.

NTS & B FIrst Power Station

Feb 2008 - Instead of having 1 large centrallized control panel, I decided 5 small power stations, positioned at different locations on the layout would be more convienent. That way it would be easier to line up the trains on operating accessories and for troubleshooting problem areas. This is the first of the power station. The Transformer for track control is on the top shelf. The other shelves can contain accessory transfomers, or supplies such as manuals or smoke fluid. Note the Power Control Box discussed earlier on top of the transformer.

NTS & B First Ross Switch Tracks

The first two #4 Ross Custom Switch tracks finally arrive. The top picture shows the passing track leading into the future passenger yard. The lower picture shows the start of the yard. The little blue engine trying out the switche tracks is a Lionel Disney 4x4x0.

NTS & B Winter Layer Mock Up

Feb 2008 - The rest of winter layer level laid is in with cardboard. Checking clearances for Main Line tracks on lower level. Lower picture shows approximate locations of remaining main line tunnels.

NTS & B Subway Power Module

Feb 2008 - This is the first Power Distribution Module. Each one will have 2 toggle switches to select local transformer power, or Lionel TMCC TPC remote control power for 2 tracks . The TPC will be used to trouble shoot track problems away from the transformer when they arise. The LEDS will indicate when the TMCC is selected. The box will sit above the transformer. When the layout is complete, there will be 5 more of these boxes. The 4 slide switches are used for the Subway Station Stop overrides mentioned in an earlier post.

NTS & B Winter Layer Started

Jan 2008 - This is the first table created for the winter layer. The helix will be placed on top of this table, and the table next to it that still needs to be built. Table is constructed with notched 1x4s and 1x2s covered by 1/2 inch 4 ply plywood. Additional vertical risers are attached between the bottom layer and 1x4 areas on this layer for additonal strength under the helix. Hope it holds the weight.

NTS & B Subway Complete, Mainline Started

Dec 2007 - Merry Christmas. The subway track is complete and wired. Laying in mainline track to make sure everything fits.

The picture below shows the start of the 2 loops for the Modern Era portion of the layout. The half loops under the mainline bench work are permanent track. The remainder of the loops are temporary, and were put in to test the covered track. The inner loop will be 0-34 minimum, and the outer loop will be 0-42. Notice the Hogwarts Express that Santa left under the tree :)

Automatic Train Operation Notes:
To run the trains automatically requires a reverse lock-out (that little lever on the postwar Lionel trains) . After I priced subway sets, my subway turned into underground train stations since I had 2 GG1s and 10 Pennsy cars I could use instead. When they didn't work like expected, I bought an older Williams F3 unit at a good price, which I also couldn't use. Here are the problems noted so far with different brands I have tried:

1. Older MTH Pennsy GG1 (mid 90's), conventional with no sound: I believe this has the QSI reversing board. Although the unit has a reverse lockout switch, it turned out to be more of a suggestion than a mandate. The train would work fine for 10 to 15 tries, then all of a sudden start up in reverse. A real thrill to see the engine PUSHING 10 passenger cars around 0-34 curves at medium speed. Put that one back on the shelf.
2. K-Line Pennsy GG1 with TMCC: The TMCC run/program functions as the reverse lockout in conventional mode when in the program position. That worked great until I hooked up my TMCC on another loop, then it just sat there waiting to be programmed. In run mode, had to manually start up each time it stopped. Another one for the shelf.
3. Williams Older Pennsy F3-No Williams engines .come with a reverse lockout switch, but I knew their web site showed how to add one. I got the engine cheap enough that I was willing to go through the work of adding a switch. Problem turned out to be that the unit was old enough so that they didn't have that particular reversing board on file. Strike 3.
4. Any Lionel conventional units (post war and Fundimension) I tried worked fine. Problem is, most of my Lionel is steam, which is not good for underground stations. Haven't tried modern conventional Lionel, but suspect it would work fine. I do have a unit I could try if needed.
5. MTH Proto Sounds 1: Have not tried. I do have a unit I could try if needed.
6. MTH Loco Sounds: I found a railking baby F3 and railking GG1 at a good price with loco sounds (in this group I might add). You can program the lockout with a series of bells and whistle pushes, which is a problem for us using ZWs. After I got them programmed they work fine.
7. MTH Proto Sounds 2. Have not tried but suspect it would work. I do have a unit I could try if needed.
8. Atlas and others in conventional mode: Don't have any to try
9. Atlas, Lionel and others with TMCC: Would suspect they would not work if TMCC is connected.

Since I don't like so many trains sitting on the shelf, I used an Atlas connector (?) switch (1 with 4 switches). I tied 1 switch to each insulated block, and tied the switch input to ground. That way I can override the stops for the no-cooperating engine, and it will still control the stops for the other loop.

NTS & B Mainline benchwork Started

Nov 2007-The benchwork for the second layer is underway. I have called this the mainline layer. It will be a double mainline using Gargraves Track and Ross Custom switches, with the minimum diameter outside loop of 0-72, and inside loop of 0-63. Tables are made with 1x2 frame to minimize distance between layers, covered with 1/2 inch 4 ply plywood. Strength is derived from subway layer due to many vertical risers between this layer and the lower layer.

The half loop on the bottom level is Marx 0-34 track, and will be the start of the loop going into the post war section of the layout.

NTS & B Flat Albert Inspection

Nov 2007 - Kathy's sisters grandchild in Fla had a school project to send Flat Albert site-seeing. When Flat Albert returned home, he was supposed to report every thing he saw (supplied by Kathy). Here he is checking out my progress on the subway loop. Most of the inner loop is now laid in.

NTS & B Subway loop benchwork about finished

Oct 2007 - Most of the bench work is complete for the subway loops. The outside loop is temporarily laid in and tested. Some of inside loop track is temporarily laid in as well. The track will be a combination of Lionel and Marx. The outside loop will contain Lionel 0-54 and 0-42 curves. The inside loop will be 0-42 and Marx 0-34 curves. There will be no switch tracks on these loops. The loops will be wired with 2 station stops on each loop, with the engines reversing units locked out. The train on one loop will control the train stops on the other loop. There will also be switches wired in to override the stops, for TMCC and conventional train operation. There will be another layer of bench work over most of this track, with only one small section not being covered. The middle of the subway table does not have plywood on it, to allow access to the upper layers.