CP Greg Improvements Begin (Project Pics)

[nbrodar]

 The scenery in this area was the first I put in, and isn't up to the standards of my more recent efforts:

That, coupled with some operational deficiencies, (most notably the single crossover) led me to begin reworking this area.  First was a crossover from the mains (gray ballast) to the branch (brown ballast).  It is an improvement, but the single main line crossover, is becoming more of a bottleneck.

So today I stopped by the LHS and picked up some turnouts and a crossing.  After some chopping and soldering, I have a double crossover ready to go in:

I managed to reduce the track spacing from 3 inches to just under 2 1/4".   While, I'll still have to adjust the spacing of the approach tracks some, it's much better then had I used the components stock,  I also picked up some Tortoise machines to replace the twin coil ones.

I am going to salvage the currently installed crossovers to upgrade another location.

Nick

[blownout cylinder]

I think that double crossover makes things so much easier to work around. I put two into my setup just to prevent any bottlenecks... not that a granger gets too many of those

[nbrodar]

 Work begins at CP Greg.

The original crossover and connecting tracks removed and ballast scraped up. 

I also needed to remove a signal bridge and its foundation:

New double crossover and connecting tracks installed:

Next I need to realign the roadbed, and cut the holes for the switch machines.  After that comes the new scenery and signal work.

Nick

[nbrodar]

 The new trackwork at CP Greg is complete.  It is now possible to move directly from the staging yard, thru the interlocking, and onto the Plaster Falls Branch.   

Trains can also cross between 1 and 2 Main in both directions.

Next up is track weathering, new ballast and scenery.

Nick