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Things going ok after a few of my usual "hiccups ".   As always, if I do a second one, things I would be faster and smoother. So far  to note....if anyone is about to install one of these (after two years of waiting for delivery ) HO scale calls for 2 1/4 in inch clearance on the bottom. I installed mine on 2 " high density foam, so needed a larger than planned cutout through the base of plywood to accommodate the CAT cable and RJ connector. Built and weathered the Cornerstone three-stall engine house first. It has three service pits that drop below the wall perimeter so I had to cut out three trenches in the foam as well. With these the technique is to move the bridge around with little "pulses" on the directional buttons until the three stall tracks are aligned successively .....because they can't be altered of course. Not too hard to do. <img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/dcrane_2007/2-5.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" border="0" /> With the remainder of the service tracks I find the best method is to set out a piece of my Atlas 9" snap track....three ties at the end removed.......on the 10 degree spacings indicated on the template.  Then move the bridge around and align by eyeball with the bridge track.  With these I can move the snap track around micro amounts.....which is easier than being quick on the button to move the bridge into perfect alignment.  Then check with a laser light and pin the track down.  Check from the opposite end with eyeball and laser light and then ballast in and glue down the track to the pit perimeter.  Works well so far. <img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/dcrane_2007/laser1.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" border="0" /> <img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/dcrane_2007/4-3.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" border="0" /> I used the snap track because I can see trying to do this with flex track, having the track move within the track plates etc. would cause headaches.  (The inside of every service track on the pit rim has to be bevelled with a file/grinder as well.)  I am going to put a 6" piece on the end of each 9 and for one or two, maybe a couple of more inches for the Y2 class steamers. One problem was that I forgot I will be driving all locos onto the bridge in reverse because that is how my service yard is setup relative to my layout direction.  So I programmed 20 positions and had to delete them all and start over with the correct (back) end of the bridge.  Added another hour to the install so far. The line into the turntable from the service yard will be flex track.  I set the turntable pit into the foam base so that the Position #1 is the one to receive the arrival track.  This is recommended.  It is a default, non-alterable position and easily found when moving the bridge.  The arrival track will never be out of position no matter what should happen to the programming. I connected the controller in the DCC fashion with a little good advice, as that give the most flexibility for use....either the controller or the onboard decoder can be used to position the bridge. Onward and upward.  Finish track and scenery tomorrow.
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