Track, Power, and Wiring Completed

A shot of the final track plan, minus the 3 non-attached tracks in the foreground.  Everything is wired and running.

 

The control center:  Modern Lionel ZW with 2 180w PowerHouses, 14 switch controllers, 8 uncoupler activators, 1 operating track controller, 1 modern Lionel Log Loader controller, 10 power block toggles, 2 SC-2s for TMCC switch control, 1 Lionel TMCC unit with Cab 1.  The train can easily be operated in conventional or command mode, though the calibration on the ZW's arms in conventional mode is horrible.  One 180w powerhouse feeds the outer loop, yard, and passenger siding.  The other 180w pw feeds the inner loop, the reversing section, and the log yard siding.



 

Below that is a shelf that has a Lionel CW-80 that provides static power to the switches, uncouplers, log loader, operating track, and crossing gate (seen in above photo).  A Lionel 40 watt controller is used for lights.  The 3 electrical switches mounted on the layout are, top-to-bottom:  On/Off/Fader for overhead lights, power for command control components, main power.



Layout Progress June 30, 2009

Running trains now, and working towards completing the track plan.  Nothing has been wired except to just hook the transformer up to a single terminal piece.  As you can see, no switches have been wired either.  The cross-over that was previously in the middle has been removed.  Now a 36" semi loop feeds the log loader and another passenger station track. 

There are various ways to go about planning a layout.  I have chosen to put mine up temporarily and run trains, see what works and what doesn't, and make adjustments.  This is ongoing until I'm satisified that I have everything possible worked out, all the track and switches purchased, and committed to wiring and fastening down the track.  This can be done because I am using FasTrack which is snap-together and works unbelievably good for temporary layouts.

Earliest Photos of the MWRR January 03, 2009

The benchwork was completed right before Christmas.  The track plan at this point was still experimental, but the overall concept was pretty well established.  The biggest change from the final track plan is that the crossover in the middle didn't make it, but instead became a one-way reversing loop.