NTS&B First Raised Mainline loop unboxed

Or is that de-boxed ? Anyway, the support replacing the last box is now installed, so trains can again be run on the lower layer. Still have at least 1 more support to add. Track for the upper layer will come later.

Only 1 little problem. The MTH Helicopter doesn't fit. So much for that plan. Looks like a little adjustment is in order

NTS&B First Raised Mainline loop progress

Made quite a bit of progress this weekend. Have all of the plywood cut and fitted. Have 1 more support to make, then the loop will be 'box free', and trains can run underneath it again. It will also need 1 or 2 more for support. When finished, The sides closest to the camera in the 2 pictures below will be easily removed for access to the tacks and town behind it. Before the raised track is finished, I have to take it all down and paint it and finish laying in the town, including cutting access holes and 'sinking' the fire station so is level with the layout.

NTS&B First Raised Mainline loop started

The first raised section of the mainline is now in process. Notice how perfectly the supports (boxes) go with with the rest of the layout :) The inner loop is 0-63, with one section of 0-80 on the reverse curve. The outside loop is all 0-72. I also posted a temporary video with my K-Line switcher and Williams passenger car running on the inner O-63 loop.

NTS&B Tinsel Town Almost Completed

Tinsel Town is almost complete. About only planned tasks are to re-paint, re-letter as Tinsel Town, and add a blinker to the water tower , and add push button switches. All buildings are lit, and have on/off switches at the power control center, but will have push button switches added around the layout at a later date.

NTS&B Tinsel Town Park Completed

The Tinsel Town park is finished. Park has switched Christmas and Street Lights. The 5 white Christmas trees are lit with chasing lights from underneath as seen in the bottom picture. The lights were pulled out of a birthday card, that had flashing candles.

NTS&B Phase 2 buildings sneek preview

Here is phase 2, with a couple buildings added in roughly the position they will be in when finished. Shown are 6-22993 LIONEL ROUTE 66 DINOSAUR CAFÉ AND GAS STATION (1999-2000), and 30-9034 MTH RK ORIGINAL 1955 MC DONALDS (2000). The uncoupling / Remote Control track is also connected and operational.

NTS&B Phase 2 Middle loops track complete

The track work is completed on the Phase 2 (modern / spring) section. Still have to finish wiring in the switch tracks, trim the carpet (ballast), add buildings, etc. I decided to include the third, inside loop. The outside loop has 0-42 curves minimum, the middle loop has 0-34 minimum, and the center loop is 0-27. It has no switches, so will be able to run any Marx or motorized hand cars with no problems.

NTS&B Phase 2 Middle loop almost complete

I finally got some time to play. Phase 2 trackwork for the middle loop is almost completed. Still waiting the arrival of 1 switch track to complete the figure 8 reversing loop. The loop is configured to run as a oval, a figure 8, or as a reversing loop. The decision is still pending about another simple 0-27 inner loop with no sidings for running Marx or other models that won't run through the Lionel style switches. The center portion will eventually contain some MTH and Lionel operating buildings.

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.