NTS&B Starting Year 4

Its hard to believe that I started the first (non helix) module of the actual layout 3 years ago. Last year saw progress with Tinsel Town and the 'spring time' sections. which are about done (for now). It was also the first time the layout was opened up to the club. Progress is getting a little slower, because we've also been having some 'play' sessions with some club members, instead of just working on it.


This coming year, the progress will be less noticeable. The main thrust will be in taking the old layout down, and finishing the other side of the basement. The main goal for the NTS&B this year is to get the TMCC signal working correctly, the 'spring time' power station and controls completed, and working on the subway and mainline stations. Its doubtful any new bench work will be started this year, but who knows, stranger things have happened :) This year is also going to be the first time it is opened up to the public, by participating in the Piedmont Pilgrimage in mid Oct.

NTS&B Some Classy Visitors

The NTS&B had some classy visitors running on its rails over the weekend (I believe the official term is 'varnish'). A few friends came over and brought a few 'toys'. Here are some pics of some very nice old equipment, that all still runs like new, and look as good as they run. Only problem was, they ran so good they ran back home :)

Circa 1947 2025 Pennsy steamer with modern train sounds tender pulling some old 0-27 passenger cars.

Dual Motor 2363 F3A/B Illinois Central from 1955-1956 on bottom front. Dual motor 2367 F3A/B Wabash from 1955 on bottom back pulling original early 1950s freight cars. Dual motor 8580-8582 A/B/A Illinois Central from 1985, 1987 pulling 4 car City of New Orleans aluminum passenger set

6416 Boat Loader Car with original boats (1961 to 1963)

6561 Reel Car with original loads (1953-1956)

A better picture of the 2363 F3A/B Illinois Central from 1955-1956

A better picture of the 2367 F3A/B Wabash from 1955

NTS&B Phase 2-and let there be light

The town is laid in, and all lit up for late night parties. The Street lights are from a 10 light string available around Chrismas, which was cut up, each light wired in parallel, and then powered by a small 12V transformer. The Candelabra in the Ice Cream park was a McDonald's toy that I added the flicker LEDS from an inexpensive set of battery operated motif candles.

Another candle was added to the hot air balloon, that my late mother-in-law made years ago, and which normally gets more comments than the rest of the layout.

NTS&B Phase 2 getting closer

The raised mainline loop over the phase 2 bench work is now fully operational, and most of the buildings are arranged and lit. Still have to put up the Street lights, fantasy park lights, some more trees, and finish wiring in the buttons. Here's how its shaping up

NTS&B First Raised Mainline Loop-Some Progress

Sometimes its hard to tell what direction of progress has been made. I usually lay most of the accessories and track in temporarily to make sure everything fits (see previous entries). When its time to finalize it, then I have to tare it down and do it again. When laying it out, it became obvious that the fire station looked too big next to the other buildings. I decided to gut the plywood table to drop it down 1/2 inch. I also had to cut an access hole. These had to be cut prior to permanently installing the raised track, so when I took the raised track down for painting, I cut out the required holes.
The cut out on the left is for the fire house, the other one is for access to the inner portion of the layout and the ceiling.


I recently discovered I need ceiling access directly over the largest part of this section. I had planned to cut an access hole, but now realized it had to be big enough to fit a step ladder with me on it.

Starting to come back together. Newly painted roadbed is back (still temporary) up. Have another post to re-cut, and supports for the upper raised track to put in before laying down final trackwork.

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.