Track Laying & Power Up

With the track plan for reference on the train table, I gathered up the track in one place prior to putting it together.

Bill of Materials:

* 5x 18" radius remote controlled, right hand turnouts

* 3x 18" radius remote controlled, left hand turnouts

* 1x Bachmann DCC EZ Command DCC throttle/directional controller

* 1x Bachmann transformer to power the locomotives

* 1x Bachmann power pack for powering the turnouts

* 2x Bachmann EZ track bumpers

* 4x Bachmann EZ track curved rerailers

* 2x Bachmann EZ track straight rerailers

* 16x Bachmann EZ track 18" curve pieces

* 2x Bachmann EZ track straight pieces

* 2x Bachmann EZ track shorter custom cut pieces (cut to fit)


I assembled the track, sketching in rough scenery locations at the same time:

I used a locomotive and two box cars to test all of the track for several days. Also tested all of the powered turnouts.

(note: use a cheap locomotive for this testing...I had a casualty that leapt to its untimely demise off the edge of the table during testing)

Once I had confirmed all was working well, I drilled holes directly beneath the turnout locations to route the wires under the table to the power pack - and through two holes in the front of the benchwork to the control panel location. Here are a few photos of that. Note also that you may have to splice a few wires to make the turnouts reach the front panel/power:

Another day of testing followed all of the final wiring connections. Once I was satisfied, I outlined the track with red Sharpie as a guideline to help me keep it in alignment. I used Elmer's glue with weights on some sections of track while the glue dried, going one section at a time but making sure to get it all glued in one evening. This photo shows the layout right after the glue was applied:


Once the glue sets it's time to get to work on scenery and make the RR come to life!

Next Time: Northlake Gulch