Progress Report 11.13.10 - T Minus 7 Days

Progress continued today after crews slept in yesterday failing to report to work.

The CNW branchline is complete.  The industrial trackage in Davenport was added along with the spurs for both grain elevators.

Feeders were dropped and soldered to the rails completing the CNW branch.

Crews made a major push on the slide switch front.  All slide switches have been installed minus one on the CNW branch which will be installed tomorrow.  This includes three requiring additional engineering due to special circumstances.  When reviewing the layout, two additional ones were found that also needed to be installed.  Crews report these as being complete too. 

Other than the one slide switch installation, construction is complete.  Crews will begin a major cleanup operation and then perform quality control tests.  Crews will follow the test train to repair any issues on site. 

Progress Report 11.11.10 - T Minus 9 Days

9 Days until the Big Show!

Progress continues on the layout.  I installed my first Tortoise switch machine.  The instructions are more cumbersome than the actual install.  The setup of the tortoise wire and install itself was pretty easy.  The worst part is contorting your body to fit under the layout to mount the machine to the benchwork.  Soldered the wires to the DPDT slide switch purchased at Radio Schlock.  Connected some alligator clips to test and everything worked on the first try.  Sweet!  Ran some longer wires and installed the actuator switch.  Tested again.  All good!

During the process of the tortoise install, I managed to break one of my 1/16" drill bits that I use for slide switch installation.  No problem as I have a second one that was included in my recently purchased kit.  But wait, I lost that one the previous night when working in Rock Island.  Doh!  Searched all over the layout and under it.  I couldn't find it anywhere.  Carrie reminded me, weren't you vacuuming that night.  I checked the vacuum and there it was.  Sweet!  I didn't care to make another Lowes run to purchase another kit.

Track Gang Report:
I found another piece of track that was misplaced.  I might have enough to finish the trackwork on the CNW branch under the ovalix.  I also need to install the lead at Stockdale for the N&W Meredosia Branch and the industry tracks in Davenport off the CNW branch.

Slide Switch Progress Report:
Cut, stripped and soldered the feeder wires for the last 15 slide switches.  I need to drill the holes in the throw bar, but I hope to finish slide switch installation this weekend.

West Davenport Yard (Staging) - None installed. One will need to be engineered as it interferes with the Continental Grain Company building. Two scheduled to be installed.

Davenport Yard - All, but one installed. Again, one will need to be engineered to fit between the yard tracks.

Davenport Industrial Park - Complete

Rock Island - Complete

Bureau - Complete

Stockdale - Complete

Joliet - Main & Siding Complete

Joliet Industrial Park - Six scheduled to be installed

CB&Q - One scheduled to be installed

Blue Island - Complete

Burr Oak Yard - Complete

CNW Branch - Four scheduled to be installed

70 Total on the layout, 55 complete, 15 to go

Progress Report 11.10.10 - T Minus 10 Days

I installed the four remaining slide switches in Rock Island completing all for this town.  Cut and glued the CNW branchline from Davenport Yard to Hull, IL which is right before the line ducks under the ovalix. 

It appears that I'm short one or two pieces of track.  Either the Davenport industries on the CNW Branchline will be sacrificed or the end of the branchline which would prevent access to one grain elevator.

I ran out of prepared slide switches.  This weekend I will work on preparing the 15 remaining ones for installation.

Progress Report 11.09.10 - T Minus 11 Days

11 Days until the Big Show!

Progress continues on the layout.  Installed a longer industrial lead track at Blue Island Freight House to avoid access issues to the slide switch behind it.  Installed a temporary track for Davenport Shops.  Davenport Shops are not expected to come online until early 2011.  Glued the roadbed for the entire CNW branch line.  Installed four more slide switches in the Davenport Industrial Park.

Slide Switch Progress Report:

West Davenport Yard (Staging) - None installed.  One will need to be engineered as it interferes with the Continental Grain Company building.  Two scheduled to be installed.

Davenport Yard - All, but one installed.  Again, one will need to be engineered to fit between the yard tracks.

Davenport Industrial Park - Complete

Rock Island - Main & Siding Complete

Rock Island Industrial Park - Four scheduled to be installed.

Bureau - Complete

Stockdale - Complete

Joliet - Main & Siding Complete

Joliet Industrial Park - Six scheduled to be installed

CB&Q - One scheduled to be installed

Blue Island - Complete

Burr Oak Yard - Complete

CNW Branch - Four scheduled to be installed

70 Total on the layout, 51 complete, 19 to go

With a reasonable amount remaining to be installed, I will increase my installation efforts and push to have all complete before the operating session. 

Progress Report 11.07.10

Progress has been generally slow, but still moving forward.

The other night, I completed the installation of the slide switches on the yard ladder at Davenport Yard.  I have one that is in a tricky spot that hasn't been completed. 

Tonight, I installed seven more slide switches including installing the once believed terminal switch at the crossover at Blue Island.  All of the new yard at Burr Oak Yard is complete.

Majority of the slide switches with main/siding access are complete.  I have only a few left.  The biggest obstacle now is the tortoise install.

13 days to op day!