Someone stop the Chief! We're freezing!

[Frank53]

Frankly Frank,

I'm impressed.

Keep at it!

Frank

[ChiefEagles]

Worked today adding that extra section.  Then built the shelf for the power center.  Went back to work at 11:30 PM.  Wired the breaker panel so I was not running off of drop cord.  This is a breaker panel for trains only.  First breaker is transformer outlet.  Second is general outlets that will be under the edge of the benchwork.  They will be for tools and things like solder gun.  This is fed from a 240 breaker in the panel in the walkin attic through the wall in a 4 prong twist lock outlet and plug.  #10/4 wire [over kill but I had a short section].  Flip the breakers and everything is dead.  

Temp track wiring to get TMCC, TPC and DCS working.

Have a few ZW's [futue, one wll power inner loop, one will power outer loop and one will power the sidings.  The two KW's will run accessories and lights.  Got to build them a shelf.  Will panel the back of this with plywood.  Mount some things on it and will cut out holes and mount the plupins Frankie got for me.  One for each track and the sidings.   

Plugins he got for me.  Cut out hole and flush mount.

 

Pannel

 

From the main door

You will see where I will go through the wall on that side.

You can tell those overhead spotlights were on.  Make things light up.

[wrmcclellan]

Chief,

Really? Eagles..."...they are in the family tree..."

[phillyreading]

Nice work Chief!  Keep working, what are you going to cover the plywood with?

For those of you who tease the Chief, I went outside this morning in shorts and a light shirt, BTW I live in south Florida about 60 miles north of Miami, NO snow predicted for over a week!! Then again it ususally don't snow this far south.

P.S. Need to get my air conditioning checked!

Lee F.

 

[Dr. John]

Chief,

Looks like you are making really good progress. I like what I see so far! Keep us posted. 

[ChiefEagles]

Chief, The layout is looking good. Had a very sharp frost here and its -3 C. So keep up the good work. A few more track sections and we should have Snow

Charlie and I would like to start on our layout however we are waiting for our garage/gamesroom plans to be passed by the local council. So construction is a long way off. Enjoying our round the tree loop though.

I am thinking about a 16 x 8 foot layout at the moment similar to the one in the new TM DVD on layout building.

Regards

Nick 

P.S. I notice your in North Carolina. My Grandfather came from there. I have quiet a few relatives  around Fayetteville and Scotland County. Ever come across any Edens in your travels?

 

State Fleet Manager introduced me to a lot of folks.  Edens is a known name.  I go down that way Scottland Co. and around Ellerbe [Richmond and Montgomery Co's] to visit my retired pilot friend.  That is where we do our shooting.  We have Edins here in Rolesville [in fact I am kin to them].  Eagles came from England.  Ever meet any of those over there, they are in the family tree.

RaleighTrainFan, thanks.

[Anonymous]

This is very impressive. Nice work!

[Nick12DMC]

Chief, The layout is looking good. Had a very sharp frost here and its -3 C. So keep up the good work. A few more track sections and we should have Snow

Charlie and I would like to start on our layout however we are waiting for our garage/gamesroom plans to be passed by the local council. So construction is a long way off. Enjoying our round the tree loop though.

I am thinking about a 16 x 8 foot layout at the moment similar to the one in the new TM DVD on layout building.

Regards

Nick 

P.S. I notice your in North Carolina. My Grandfather came from there. I have quiet a few relatives  around Fayetteville and Scotland County. Ever come across any Edens in your travels?

 

[ChiefEagles]

A lot of that track has train cars sitting on it.  Moving out of the other bedroom. 

[tmcc man]

Chief, beautiful job on the benchwork. I might need to bring you up to build it for me, of course, after you finish yours.

[ChiefEagles]

Yes it is.  Has been great for me.  I have found out that opposing switches have to have "lockons", on the section past the switch, to power the track and other switch due to "pin" arrangements.  That is no problem with me as I will power each section as a block.  That movable switch machine and the reported performance of Realtrax switches is the reason I went with Realtrax.  I've got a lot of switches and more to add.

[Anonymous]

John,
The movable switch motor, IMHO, is the best feature of the FasTrack switches.  It makes aligning them very easy.

Brent

[jefelectric]

Looking good chief, Sometimes those switch motors can be a big pain.  It is nice that you can switch them from side to side, but sometimes they won't work from either side without moving something.  Found this out the hard way, the track software doesn't warn you about this.  The only curved switch like you are looking for, that I know of, is Ross.  That would take a lot of adapting to make it work with realtrax.  Probably not worth the effort.

[ChiefEagles]

Well, this is what was done yesterday PM.  Runs great.  Now through the walls.

Am going to have to add a small section for one leg of turnout.  Figured this from the beginning.  Why?  Can't find MTH's 072/054 curve switch [some said in catalog but never built].  So have to use this switch to make turnout and keep switch from walkthru.

Other side of the room from walkin attic.

Same side from doorway

 

Look at all the switch boxes!!!

Window side from the walkin attic

[ChiefEagles]

BTW: wife has already got totes under the new benchwork.

Chief, Isn't that going to make wiring interesting?

Make sure it is arranged the way you want it before you solder.  Mine is down about 6 years with no problems between sections.  I use LGB's anticorrosion grease on all the contacts as I put it together.  Also be sure to remove any black coating on top of the center rail.  You are making great progress.

Thanks for the tip on the grease.  Had to do the black removal on all switches or the old 2055 would trip the Eunit.

Sure is nice to get helpful hits from the guys with experience.

[jefelectric]

BTW: wife has already got totes under the new benchwork.

Chief, Isn't that going to make wiring interesting?

Make sure it is arranged the way you want it before you solder.  Mine is down about 6 years with no problems between sections.  I use LGB's anticorrosion grease on all the contacts as I put it together.  Also be sure to remove any black coating on top of the center rail.  You are making great progress.

[ChiefEagles]

It is RUNNING.  Just about laid out all the track on the big room [switches and all.  Ran 2055 through all the track and only using two lockons.  Still going to solder all the connection between block sections.  If Miss Edna has my switches, big room is finished on temp laying of track.  Had a time getting the 072 half circles to come out 90 degrees.  Some dummy had one 054 curve in each main line [we will not say who].  Pictures this weekend.  Now to get the framing and top on in walkin attic.  BTW: wife has already got totes under the new benchwork.

[wrmcclellan]

Frank,

The watchword here that Chief said the 2055 was SITTING on the track. He never said he actually powered it up and ran it....

[Frank53]

Frank,........I personally think that if Chief would have used Lionel tubular track, he wouldn't be having those problems. Just a thought.

Chuck

Chuck:

I completely agree - however, considering he is off the carpet, and did have the good judgement to break in his layout with a post war steamer, it was all I could hope for.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Snow should be waist deep all over Yankeeland.  Chin deep in Ohizo.

Ran trains on the layout [temp done to increase the snow].

2055 sitting on the track.

 

Frankly, Frank that's a great choice for the inaugural run.

Congrats!

Frank

 

Frank,........I personally think that if Chief would have used Lionel tubular track, he wouldn't be having those problems. Just a thought.

Chuck

[wrmcclellan]

Chief's photos must be photoshopped or he has finally contained the cold air up North where it belongs. 70 here today and same for the rest of the week!

[Frank53]

Snow should be waist deep all over Yankeeland.  Chin deep in Ohizo.

Ran trains on the layout [temp done to increase the snow].

2055 sitting on the track.

 

Frankly, Frank that's a great choice for the inaugural run.

Congrats!

Frank

 

[dougdagrump]

Skiiing in Ohio !

I assume you did mean "Snow Skiiing" like "Downhill" and not being towed.

 

[csxt30]

Snow should be waist deep all over Yankeeland.  Chin deep in Ohizo.

Ran trains on the layout [temp done to increase the snow].

2055 sitting on the track.

Ran the U from wall to wall.

That is really looking great, Chief !!  Just be careful working that high up off the floor !!

Thanks, John 

[ChiefEagles]

Snow should be waist deep all over Yankeeland.  Chin deep in Ohizo.

Ran trains on the layout [temp done to increase the snow].

2055 sitting on the track.

Ran the U from wall to wall.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Neighbor went skiing here in Ohio on Sunday.  Keep up the good work, Chief.  

[ChiefEagles]

Subflooring all screwed down.  Working on track arrangement and the lift out.  Going to do temp liftout so I can run a train around the room.

[anjdevil2]

  That's just awesome!!!  (somehow, sounds like my work...)

[dbaker48]

Really lookin  good  

[ChiefEagles]

Thanks Nick.  Glad to see you guys [John Baker too] from the UK on here.