Ray has already built the first Matrix board which is ready for the Portland Yard throat's nine Tortoise motors (more on that when it arrives on scene). This railroad is already years ahead of where I would have it if not for Ray... that means thanks yet again Ray! Mulling over the yard throat panel designs... Preliminary thoughts are to have two sets of 5 push buttons on each panel for aligning specific staging tracks, one set for (5) arrival and the other for (5) departure at each end of the staging yard.... probably based on track numbers instead of a track diagram, and to be located right below each yard throat. Orders will dictate track number where crews board trains or tie down, and should help to alleviate having to hunt and peck correct turnout positioning.
The final track diagram has been transposed to the benchwork between "ends", and the track gang has commenced laying the Atlas 55 flex trackage as well. Don't really like how one rail flops around in the tie spikes, but it is what it is... I am also still trying to adjust to the spring action of Atlas flex vs the ME flex, as it is not as user friendly where there is a flex end section on an imcompleted curve... fortunately the choice of contact cement is making things workable... just do not use the heatgun trick on this track as it has a lower melt point than ME also... A progress shot looking at Portland Yard taken yesterday and already outdated:
The shelving / structural support is now completed under the staging yard. This gives each "end" of the layout a Yard Office for originating and terminating crews. This includes throttle storage racks, and train assignment pockets for crews with associated paperwork. In addition there is now supplementary storage space for crews that need a place to lay forms, radios, throttles, or beverages (instead of those inviting flat areas with finish scenery), accessible from almost any location around the layout.
A view overlooking the entrance to Portland end and it's Yard Office below (short section just to left of throttles is where the yard panel will reside):
Progress at Klamath Falls with it's Yard Office (yard panel will be just to the right of the throttle tray here):
A third Yard Office location also has all the above opposite Eugene Yard for crews and Hostler there. It all gets painted black eventually to blend in with the motif, which will include more of the same fascias and curtains.
Throttle storage racks are 5 gang holders which will house a connection to Loconet in case of needed programing, and also to keep throttles powered (as a battery save mode) between sessions. Eventually all staging throttle slots will be labeled with departing track numbers so crews can easily find their train as associated with their clearance / orders in adjacent Assignment Pockets. Conventional throttle pockets that are currently mounted on the fascias around the layout will remain.
Assignment Pockets follow the existing operating plan that will be modified following the sequence of train assignments that has already proven itself as a stable call system for originating trains. Clearance Cards with originating Train Orders on the top shelf, with terminating orders placed below. Typically crews that are still available for Hours of Service, will draw their next set of orders from their terminating destination, similar as any crew would return back on their district. We will include some orders that will direct crews to take a "Carry All" to Eugene for filler assignments as needed.
Already got the concept in my head, but really itching to see how incorporating the staging into the layout changes traffic flow, then I can move forward on modifications to the operating scheme. :)
Looks great Jeff! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteFrank