Dealing with Getting Older and Less Flexible

Below is a rough drawing of dimensions to build a layout so you can work under it without crawling or other undesired positions unsuitable for older persons.  However as you can see, there are some limitations to this idea, but if I were starting over I would certainly follow this advice.  At 74 and a new knee limbs don't move or bend like they used to.

When I find the time to work on my web site, www.JaysOScaleLayout.info, I will be creating a page on that site about what I have learned and the mistakes I have made in building a layout.  I will offer a set of things that I would do if I were starting over.  One very simple thing is to supply 110 VAC every 8-10 feet along the edge of the layout.  Use conduct for a safer installation and provide a separate breaker for this.  I really get tired of extension cords up and down the aisles of they layout.  Or go cordless!  Our drills, saws, and one small soldering iron are now cordless.

Progress On Local Control Panels June 26, 2014

Here are photos of the local control panels for the first two locations working East to West.  The first panel is for Hillen area.  The left portion of the panel controls the Hillen terminal tracks.  These tracks are not controlled by CTC but rather by a Yard Master or the Engineer making up trains.  When the train is ready to depart it can pull up to the signal at the yard limits and the start of CTC.  Use of the "Traffic" toggle in the middle of the panel lets the dispatcher on the CTC that a train wants to leave the yards and enter CTC territory.  When the dispatcher confirms that permission the signal will go Green and the train can proceed out of the yard into CTC territory following the track side signals as authority to proceed.  The other toggle can operate turnouts in the CTC are under two circumstances.  Either the dispatcher changes them to Local control with a toggle on the CTC or if the railroad is being operated in ABS mode without a dispatcher.

The next panel going West is Bay View Yards.  It is just two through tracks.  Bay View Yard will be represented on the back drop.  All of the toggles on this panel only operate if the dispatched gives permission for local control or in the case of operating the layout under ABS.  The yellow light above the toggles light up when the local control is active.

There are seven more panels to come.  As I install switch machines going west I will finish each panel and test.  The next panel for tomorrow is for Penn Station in Baltimore.

Some scenery photos in the South Elkins area taken by Warren Hart today June 12, 2014

Coal Seam