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This
layout featured a 4 track hidden staging yard to represent Roseville, CA and
Sparks, NV which both are locate to the west and east of the Sierra Nevada and
Donner Summit. The track used on the layout was code 83 Micro Engineering
Weathered flex track and Walthers turnouts on cork. As per the customers
request, it was block wired for standard DC operation with DCC to be installed
down the road - thus eliminating need for the nice toggle switch control panels
I made.
Building
a layout with grades can be challenging. All I can say is that solid planning
makes it fairly quick and nice clean work. This photo captured the new UP curve
laid at Eder to the east portal of Tunnel 41 "Big Hole" and the old
Southern Pacific Track #1 mainline and flyover that proceeded to Donner summit.
This
UP tester train is coming from Tunnel 41 and preparing to enter the cover
turnout sheltered by Shed 47 on Shallenberger Ridge above Donner lake.
In
this photo you would be looking east on Donner Summit from Tunnel 6, then Tunnel
7, then 8. The end of the scene is just before the locomotive at the head end
hits the curve...solid granite cliffs will divide the scene between the Donner
Summit and Eder.
A
Walther's (pre dcc) version motorized/ir indexed 130' turntable was installed
and will be the focal point for this end of the layout which will be Norden.
This will be a covered turntable as was found at Norden before it was torn down.
Tortoise
switch machines handle turnout power. The Tortoises are operated from fascia
mounted toggle switches.
I
thought this section of the raw benchwork without track was pretty impressive.
Four different elevations of track strategically converge at this corner of the
layout...it all came together nice and clean. Remember, this all had to be
designed and built to be EASILY taken apart and moved to the customer.
Control
panels just completed and awaiting switches, LED's and final installation. These
panels are made of black acrylic and the diagrams are sign vinyl.
The
Norden turntable control panel served 3 functions, It held the Walther's
turntable flush mounted operating box, provided on and off track power switches
for parking DC locos, and housing the turnout switch with red/green Bi-polar LED
indicating either a straight or diverging turnout condition.
Similar to the Norden panel, The
Roseville/Sparks staging yard panel provided on and off track block power
switches for parking DC locos and trains, and housing the turnout switch with
red/green Bi-polor LED indicating either a straight or diverging turnout
condition.
All
broken down, custom racked and ready for delivery to California...ironically
this Donner layout will be going over Donner Pass en route to it's new home.
Thanks for
looking!
Questions or
comments? Feel free to ask: mark@thesolutionfarm.com
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