The BAH R.R. just today acquired a new 0-6-0 switcher. It is full DCC with sound; now I know why some of you rave about sound.
After cranking the sound down to 30 (from 125 default); things work great from a running and a sound standpoint. I did not know just what I was missing (now I do).. I have run the little switcher on all of the tracks of both of the newly constructed towns and everything looks good.
Now that both towns have track laid; I am expanding to the rest of the layout for track - mountain climbing loop to connect the towns. I will mix in some scenery work as I do the mountain construction.
As it stands now:
The town lead-ins are also laid (10' long) and working.
Comments?
I will be building a mountain scene with three climbing loops to get from Hardspot (lower town) to Arock (upper town) via Between (small mountain mine in the mountains). The following schematic shows Hardspot and the climbing loop. Climbing loop is in green and the heavy orange indicates a continuous run loop. The blue numbers upper right and center bottom are elevations for the various loops. There is a 24" elevation difference in the two major towns. I will have some bridges in the mountains; however, nothing even close to your canyon and waterfall.
Further update. The little 0-6-0 runs and operates great. Here it is sitting at the end of Hardspot - right in the new landscaping process.
Comments on the landscaping - still in process ?
GearDrivenSteam wrote:Alan, that's a mighty fine looking layout. There sure is a lot of room between the two shelves. I sure would like to see up close how you have them connected together. Nice work!
Thanks - it is a "work-in-process" that is just beginning. I tore down my large layout over 12 years ago and am rebuilding in a new room. Same scheme and reuse of structures and some turnouts. I converted to DCC (prodigy advance) and only ended up with four locos that worked well enough; so I just bought the 0-6-0 and it sure is nice.
There is no connection between the two levels yet. I will be constructing an L shaped mountain complex to connect them (see the schematic above in my post of 8/10). The green lines in the above schematic represent three loops with a 8" elevation gain per loop (2.25% constant grade). The L is about 75" x 120". So far, I have laid track in the towns and the 10' long shelves that form the lead-ins for the towns. All track work has been extensively run with all of my loco's and seems to be in good shape now. With a little luck; I should start building the mountains in a few weeks, and actually connect the two towns.
GearDrivenSteam wrote:Hay, that sounds real cool! Keep us posted, ok?
The little 0-6-0 (Proto 2000 - Heritage) just keep on plugging along in the ever changing scenery.