NTS&B Merry Christmas 2009

Another year has passed, and the layout is still in process. I'd like to wish everyone a merry Christmas, and happy new years.

NTS & B Phase 2 Mainline Raised Loop Started

A short (app 6 feet long), but critical portion of the mainline track for the Phase 2 section is now complete. The plywood roadbed is suspended on the wall to save space underneath. I decided to use a 3 inch wide piece of plywood for each line instead of 1 (app 11 inch) wide piece, to maximize the view under the track. When the curves are done, they will probably be made out of individual 4 inch pieces for each line.

Now that this section is complete, the inner loops of the lower level can be completed, when track and time is available. The lower level had to wait, to allow access to support the upper level, without having to work over a bunch of track.

NTS & B Phase 2 First Loop completed

The Hogwarts Express has broken loose, and now has a respectable sized loop of track to run on. The single track around the table looks a little lonely at this time. Due to a shortage of track, the passing siding and inside loop (s) will have to wait until some more can be ordered. The power has also been moved from a shared ZW, to a new ZW, which is approximately in its final location.

NTS & B Phase 2 ready for track

Finished putting on the legs and painting the Phase 2 tables. Still working on how to add mainline track above it. Thinking about using shelving brackets on the wall to eliminate taking up space on the table. Ready to start laying in the track, but will be delayed a couple weeks due to other commitments.

NTS & B Another Phase 2 table built

The second large module for the Phase 2 section is now complete. The addition is around 8 ft wide by 7 ft deep. The right hand module is framed to allow a large access hole to be cut, after the track is all laid in. Legs have been cut and supporting both modules, but not permanently attached yet. The modules need to be attached together first. The isle down the center is about 2 feet. Still trying to figure out how to support the main line track above these modules, without blocking everything underneath. A problem for another day ....

NTS & B Year 3, and Phase 2 benchwork started

Year 2 has just ended, already, and now we are headed in year 3. The weather is supposed to be ideal this weekend, so decided to start Phase 2 bench work, instead of working more on Tinsel Town. Phase 2 is 2 tables, and the raised mainline loop. One table is 4 ft wide, 7 ft long on 1 side and angled to 4.1/2 ft long on the other side. The other is 4 ft wide by 7 ft long, with 2 corners cut at an angle. See following sketch and pictures for new overall size and first module.

First of 2 Phase 2 Modules

Overall size when Phase 2 complete

NTS & B Tinseltown South Village started

It seems that the village of Tinseltown South has sprung up almost overnight. Well, it might have taken a bit longer than that. The original plan was to have 2 rows of houses with a trolley track in between. The problem with that concept is that you would only see the back of the houses from both sides of the layout. I then remembered a little town in Norway that I visited that was built on the side of a hill with roads barely enough for 1 car. By setting the village up in this fassion, the front of both rows of houses can be seen from the front of the layout. It also has the advantage of blocking the view of the trestle located behind the houses. I was going to leave the trolly out, but the plan left just enough room for a bumper trolley track in front. I used the K-Lionel Super Street track create the appearance of a road / trolley track combination. In place of the standard bulbs in the houses, I used 14-18 V wheat lamps. The street lights are from a lead of Christmas lights that my son-in-law bought me. The string of 10 lights was cut into individual posts, which are 12 V each, and run off a standard Lionel transformer along with the wheet lamps. Although the center of the village is wired, much work needs to be done on both ends to add a more lights, houses, and accessories.

Village of Tinseltown South, on top of my first ever attempt at a mountain

Town in Norway. Streets are pretty much for walking only.

Tinseltown South, as seen from end. Trolly track runs to left.

Town in Norway. Notice the sign.

Overall view of layout, showing planned area on left also.

NTS & B Winter (Tinseltown) level power control

After much consideration, I decided to mount the winter level switch track buttons and track power (green) and accessory(yellow) power switches directly to the front of the layout above the transformers. I considered mounting them on a separate piece of wood, and then connecting that to the front of the layout, but could see no advantage to doing that, and it would be more work/materials/time. The track power and switch track button wiring is complete. The layout of the switches mirrors the track layout, with the left button and 2 power switches controlling the passing siding on the left end of the loop, and the right 2 switches and buttons controlling the right end of the loop. The 2 small sidings on the right side are actually powered by the rightmost switch, since only 1 and 2 cars can fit in the sidings. Then next switch in controls power to the long lead in track. The accessory controls will be wired as the accessories are added. The tan devices under the switches and by the transformer are Lionel #91 fast acting adjustable circuit breakers, and connected to track power. Since I have started using them, there has been little to none unexpected smoke.

NTS & B Trackwork finished on winter (Tinseltown) layer

The track is finally finished on the winter layer, which will eventually contain the village of Tinseltown. The large overhanging loop at the helix end is cut out, and made so that it can be removed by pulling out 1 pin (currently 1 screw). The Arch Bridge is also set up to be removed by simply lifting it out vertically. The track is all wired and connected to temporary switches near the winter level ZW. They will be made permanent when I figure out where I am going to put the panel. I also have placed and have power to the first 2 powered operating accessories, the Lionel Maiden Rescue Shack, and the Lionel Reindeer loader. Since I now have track power on the loop and the sidings, I also pulled out my K-Line operating Kandy Kane Dump Car, and the old 1956 Lionel #3250 Operating Search Light Car. See pictures below and YouTube links for videos of the accessories.

Removable raised track. Supports will be added later when lower track is finished.

Small siding and Lionel 260 Illuminated Bumper (1951-1969)

Lionel 6-24154 Maiden Rescue Shack (2003)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JxdXNnxfhs

Lionel 6-36704 Animated Reindeer Corral (2002)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeZ-Uf2LwFI

K-Line 7137401 Operating KandyKane Dump Car (Around 2003)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zto-OjiSLbY

Lionel 3520 Operating Search Light Car (1952-1953)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEmJg-eGiww

Williams F3 Electronics pictures for Bachman

I recently bought an old Williams F3, with the idea of modifing the reverse unit so it would only go forwards. Williams, and now the Bachman, site have the schematic available for that purpose. The only problem is, is that it is a different card. This is a temporary post so the 'Bachman' can look at these pictures to figure out what revision card this is.