Progress Report 02.10.11

Crews worked on the Davenport yard ladder slide switches this evening.  Many of the slide switches had a solid throw in one direction, but not the other..  The turnout points would float underneath the cars as they rolled by.  I adjusted all and replaced a few that had broken during previous adjustments.  All turnouts make a good solid connection no matter which direction thrown.  Testing proved that the crews' efforts were successful.

Installed the three remaining slide switches are Carrie Ave Shops. 

I will test more in the morning.  If all is well, I believe this wraps up majority of the projects before the pending op session.  Oh, I do have to drop some feeders on the N&W Meredosia Branch.  That will be quick though. 

Now, time for a major cleaning and organization of the room.  I will be working on that this weekend. 

Progress Report 02.09.11

No progress before work other than a review of pending projects.  This evening, I squeezed in a little bit of time to complete the preliminary construction of the Walthers Medusa Cement kit.  I will leave off the details for now as the kit will need to be painted.

Progress Report 02.08.11

This morning before work, I installed seven of the fourteen slide switches on the layout. 

This evening, I installed four more including one complicated one completing the N&W Meredosia Branch, changes in Stockdale and the wye at Bureau.  I started on the three at Carrie Ave Shops, but it didn't go well.  After breaking one slide switch and damaging another switch's throw bar it was time to put down the tools and walk away.   

I will try again tomorrow.

Progress Report 02.07.11

Progress continues on the layout. This morning before work I installed and tested the tortoise turnout control at the west leg of Bureau wye.

This evening, I borrowed a drill from my boss and drilled the holes for the remaining slide switches.  There are about 8 or 9 that need to be installed.  I will start on that mode tomorrow.  Once I get into my groove, I can knock them out pretty quick.

Super Bowl Progress Report 02.06.11

During pre-game coverage, soldered feeder wires to 14 slide switches, wire leads to the tortoise for the west Bureau wye turnout, and wired the slide switch for the tortoise control. 

Constructed the Bader Ag office building and two fertilizer/seeds storage bins in Stockdale. 

Progress Report 02.04.11 + Announcement

Progress Report
This morning I installed the benchwork for the remaining section of the N&W Meredosia Branchline.  Cork and track were also installed and tested.

Carrie Ave Shops have been completed.  I'm looking forward to having a place for the locomotives when not in use.  Plus a car shop for my bad orders.

Announcement
As I continue to dial in my desires for the layout, I have made an executive decision to change the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy crossing in Joliet to now be the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe crossing.  Both lines crossed in Joliet.  The AT&SF line continues down into Galesburg, IL and over to Fort Madison, IA.  I have been to a few places on this line.  As for the CB&Q/BN it has never particularly been one of my favorites. 

With this change, I have located some motive power for the new AT&SF local.  It will be featuring an Atlas GP30 in the Yellowbonnet paint scheme. 

Existing paperwork destined for CB&Q will stay the same for now.  Crews will follow the same instructions as before with the former CB&Q interchange.

Progress Report 02.03.11

Installed the benchwork, cork and track for the remaining leg of the Bureau wye.  Installed the Digitrax AR1 auto reverser unit for the wye.  Works like a charm and super easy to setup. 

Tomorrow, I hope to complete the remaining 3ft of track on the N&W Meredosia Branch.