2005-12-19 The first section of the Mainline benchwork is in place! Actually, this benchwork will also support a portion of the narrow gauge trackage as well, but it will initially support the end of the yard's switching lead and the mainline trackage as it exits the yard headed West. The benchwork consists of a pair of L-girders with 1x4 joists on top. The end of the benchwork that extends under the yard extension in the corner is attached to the underside of the extension by a pair of 1x3 risers to stabilize the benchwork. Two 2'x4' sections of 1/4" masonite have been attached to the rear of the benchwork to provide the surface on which the backdrop will be painted. These are attached to a 1x4 rail which is attached to the ends of the joists. Corner reinforcing angles have been installed to keep this backdrop from falling forward. |
2006-01-01 The first bit of track has been added to the benchwork section. The mainline runs at the rear of the lower portion, to continue on into the section of benchwork to be built in the corner and along the North wall of the room. The track in front of the mainline is the end of the yard switching lead. The upper track is the beginning of the narrow gauge portion of the layout. At the far South end of this track, in the corner, will be a logging operation and logging camp. The scenery in this area will be a challenge! |
2006-01-13 Construction of the corner portion of the benchwork has begun. Two pairs of L-girders meet at the corner, held together by the joists. |
The corner portion of the benchwork is complete and in position. Panels of 1/4" hardboard have been attached to the rear of the joists to provide a surface for the backdrop which will be painted in the future. |
2006-01-16 The two L-girders that bridge the gap between the two previously constructed benchwork sections are now in place, fastened by metal splicing plates and the overhang of the 1x2's. The next bit of construction work is building a subassembly comprised of two of the joists, the back board that supports the backdrop panels, and the panels themselves. Once it is attached to the L-girders track laying can begin. |
2006-01-17 The center section of benchwork is now complete. An assembly of the backdrop panels, support board, and a couple of joists was fabricated, then slid into place. A bit of construction adhesive was used to hold the backdrop sections together while the splicing plates were screwed down. Finally, the joists were screwed onto the L-girders. Let the tracklaying commence! |
2006-01-23 The mainline has been constructed around the corner and onto the North wall of the room. Since this trackage will be hidden, the roadbed is made of 1/4" cork underlayment. This material is not as expensive as the commercial cork roadbed, but provides the desired sound deadening. More track now needs to be added for the narrow gauge road, then, when the loop on the next benchwork section is completed, more mainline track heading toward the Taylorville industrial area. |
2006-07-23 Joists for the next portion of the layout have been constructed and installed. This portion attaches to the end of the benchwork shown in the previous photo. This portion of the layout will include the part of the mainline that loops back toward Pana, and will also support the Narrow Gauge Yard. |
2006-07-26 The backdrop and primary joists have been added to the new section of benchwork. A subassembly consisting of four joists, the backdrop mounting board (attached to the ends of the joists), and two backdrop panes was fabricated on top of the L-girders. It was then moved into place and fastened to the end of the previous backdrop support and to the L-girders. The left-most joist was then added to complete the support for the backdrop panels. Next, we need to add the rest of the joists and start the extension of the mainline into this area. |
2006-07-26 Overall view of the layout room will all panels in place for the backdrop along the walls. The Mainline Yard can be seen on the left, the mainline and narrow gauge track along the wall, and the newest benchwork on the far right. Gradually the clutter in the room is being migrated to places out of the way under the layout, but much clutter is still in evidence -- the layout is far from done! |
2006-08-14 The mainline has been extended to the farthest end of the newest addition. The track for the mainline loop will curve back around the front of the benchwork on its way to the Pana switching area. Before the rest of this track will be constructed, however, the plywood panel for the Narrow Gauge Yard must be constructed and erected above this benchwork. |
2006-09-07 A reversing section has been added alongside the mainline. The turnout at the far end of the reversing section will connect to the mainline track after it loops around the edge of the layout. The mainline will then continue from the far end of that turnout on to the Pana Passenger Station and the Pana industrial switching area. Above and to the left of the mainline track is the stub end of the narrow gauge track that will enter the narrow gauge yard that will be installed over this area. |
2006-09-18 A train detector has been added to the Mainline track that will be hidden under the scenery on the West end of the layout. This detector lights an LED on the Springfield Yard control panel to warn of a train on the hidden track. Other such detectors will be installed in other hidden areas with LEDs on appropriate control panels. The emitter and detector heads are attached to the circuit board by short lengths of wire. A mount was devised using 1/4" square plastic tubing and a small piece of 3/16" round tubing. A 1/2" length of round tubing was attached (T'ed to) a 1/2" length of square tubing. The stub of round tubing is a snug fit into the 1-1/2" lenth of square tubing that was attached to the hardboard on each side of the subroadbed using latex construction adhesive. After aligning the two mounting heads the emitter and detector were slipped into the heads. Once the alignment of the two devices was verified a couple of drops of Plastic Weld were used to glue the head in place. The "IRDOT" circuit board can be seen in this picture. To the right is one of the mounts with the detector inserted into the upper square tube. To the far left the top of the other mount can be seen with the emitter inserted. Any car on the track between them breaks the beam to light an LED on the control panel. The red LED in this photo was used to verify the alignment of the emitter and detector, and will be removed before the scenery is installed. |
2006-10-31 The Mainline has reached Pana! The trackwork in this photo is the dual gauge track in the vicinity of the Pana passenger station. The two passenger cars, one standard gauge and one narrow gauge, show the difference in the sizes of the mainline and narrow gauge equipment. The turnout in the foreground forms the lead to the tracks in the Pana Switching Area which will serve several industries and the freight station. From here the track will continue (when more benchwork is constructed) to the Taylorville industrial area and the interchange with the Branchline and Narrow Gauge line. |
2008-08-22 A new bridge has been installed on the Mainline near the Narrow Gauge Yard. This bridge will span a small creek that will be constructed between the track and the slope of the hill on which the narrow gauge yard is built. |
2009-02-20 The subroadbed for the mainline between Springfield Ridgely Yard and the Taylorville Switching Area is now in place. After the installation of the roadbed and the track, a golden spike ceremony is being planned, as this will complete the Mainline loop. Also added are the extensions of the subroadbed for two sidings in the switching area and for the Branchline Interchange Track. |
2009-02-27 The Mainline is now completely operational, with the completion of the portion between Springfield and Taylorville. The Golden Spike ceremony was held on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, with members of the Tuesday Night [Round Robin] Group in attendance. The train shown is the first train to circumnavigate the Mainline. |
2010-07-24 The tunnel portal and retaining walls have been installed where the mainline disappears underground after leaving the vicinity of Ridgely Yard. The mainline reappears from underground as it approaches the Taylorville Industrial Area. |
