Update to my Blog

Below is the most recent update of the layout design.  There are still a few areas that have not been finalized. However the Mainline of the PRR and the WM has been finalized and forwarded to Bill Carr to create the new program to run the CTC based on Bruce Chubb's C/MRI system.  Still under development is the Baltimore area of Sparrows Point or Fells Point on the PRR.  On the WM the upper level is not designed yet.  Port Covington may become a peninsular instead of under the main level of the layout.

(Click to enlarge drawing)

Once Bill finishes the programs and I rebuild all four Model Boards and the four Lever Boards the CTC should be back in operation.  Many changes were made to the left end of the layout when I dropped the South Shore Line in favor of the PRR.  I still have a substantial amount of work to finish hooking up tracks blocks and OS sections, installing switch machines and switch controllers in the left end.  However 90% of the track is in place.

Warren Hart has continued work on the top of the layout which you would see when you descend the stairs.  I will try and get some photos of his scenery on this blog.  Also we are expecting visitors when the Fall Convention of the Middle Eastern Region of the NMRA holds it's convention in Hagerstown, MD.  We are about one hour from the convention hotel and will be open during the convention.

To get the railroad back operating we need to finish painting and decal-ling two plate girder bridges and finish construction of a 5 foot long high wooden trestle.   Once they are completed and installed we will be able to run again.  Also I had NCE upgrade my cabs and the radio base station as we were having problems when too far from the base station.  Losing control of a moving train isn't my idea of fun. They were able to upgrade everything for an extremely reasonable amount.  NCE really Rocks!

Check back in the next couple of days for some scenery photos.