In the several days some progress has been made. I had some of the electronics repaired by Don Wood. Also found some problems on the layout and corrected them. Finally was able to move the CTC from the bottom of the stairs over to the right or North end of the basement. Today ran the data cable to it and it works properly. When the repaired parts and some new detectors and a SMINI board arrive in a couple of days I will continue testing block and OS detection to be sure everything is working as it should.
Then we have to work on the swing gate for the South end of the basement. After that is completed we will have the railroad running up to the trestle. Hopefully the trestle can be completed and installed and then the whole layout will be operational as soon as all track is cleaned again.
Then I plan to start at Gary, IN and start building scenery moving West towards Chicago. I plan to finish scenery and structures one section at a time and move Westward. As soon as each section's scenery and structures are in place we can ballast the track and hang the overhead.
Warren will continue with the WM end of the layout moving to the right with plaster and hard shell first and then groundcover and painting. Once the basic hard shell is in place we will start ballasting and adding structures and details.
In the meantime I will finish wiring the CTC and get it ready to control the 100+ three color signals we have to build. I have the heads and the LEDs so now the mask, ladder, and wiring has to be done, then build more signal control circuit boards and start wiring.
Sure could use more help, so if anyone is interested just let me know. This is a big railroad and there are hundreds of projects and things that need to be done. So there is plenty of opportunity if anyone is interested. Down the road we will be able to finally hold operating sessions for both the Western Maryland Railway and the Chicago, South Shore, and South Bend Railroad.
