December 14, 2009
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Today I will work on connecting the remaining part of the main line. It is the small section of track that has three turnouts. Two of these turnouts are #6 Atlas turnouts. These both turn into the center of the layout into an industrial area. A third turnout, a #10 will be a fork in the line that is a short cut to another part of the layout. Once I have this in place, I will have a complete circuit on the mainline around the entire layout. My plan is to get the train running a complete circuit with the turnouts locked into place. I will add the wiring and switch machines at a later date. Using this approach will allow me lots of time to test the main line while the switch machines and wiring are installed.
Despite my best planning, some of my elevations are not correct. I was planning for a maximum of a 2% grade, but some of the ones I have built seem to be a bit more steep than that. I think most of this is in part to the expansion on the part of the Gorilla Glue that I was using to hold the foam pieces used for the elevations and the roadbeds. This expansion may have made some parts higher than others. I ordered a neat little electronic level from Micro-Mark to help me adjust my grades so that they stay under 2%. It has yet to arrive, but I can't wait to give it a try. Will let you know how it works soon.
Oh well, so much for that. I didn't get anything accomplished. I had some errands to do and then I went out to dinner with my wife. I guess that is why they call it a hobby.