Started work on the “loop track” for the lower level.

The turnouts will be located right at the exit from the Helix, wrap around and then run behind the computer desk.

Not pictured is the two doors it will have go cross. I picked up a 6′ long Heavy Duty Shelf Standard. Pretty sturdy for the length. This will act as the main beam for the bridge span (thanks to Gary S. for the inspiration).

and a view where the refinery will go.

Taco Bell is just about done. Just need to finish up the signs and then paint the roof top black.

Also completed the main part to the Marathon Oil industry. Just needs a little weathering around the top of the columns and walkways.

The refinery was purchased back in New Orleans in 2004, glad to see it finally assembled. I picked Marathon Oil as the company as that was the first major project I worked on when I started my current job in 2006.

Some pics of Taco Bell under construction.

Forgot to post this the other day. The latest Panoramic of the layout.

The new Cement Company industry

Walther’s built-up Sunrise Feed

And BLMA’s Port-a-Potty next to the gas station

Working is still moving along on the North Island Refinery kit. Today I also got my Walther’s Double Truss bridge kit I’ll start work on soon.

And if you wanna make wiring even easier, there’s the hare too!

It’ll cost more, but you’re paying for simplier install, and fewer wires to deal with.

for 16 turnouts.

Wabbit:

1 - 12 Pack Combo (6 Wabbit-FB, 12 Tort Conn, 12 Tortoise) - $348.88
2 2-pack Combos (1 Wabbit-FB, 2 Tort Conn, 2 Tortoise) - $132.00

Total - $475.88

Hare:

1 12 Pack Combo - $489.95
4Â 1 pack combos - $179.80

Total - 669.75

So a difference of $179.80 for an easier install. Worth it to you? I’m still deciding!

Just doing more research about turnout controls. Here’s a breakdown between using CTI’s hardware vs. Wabbits for controlling 16 turnouts.

CTI:

1 Starter Set - $84.95
1 Yardmaster - $67.95
2 Switch Power Supplies - $30
1 Tortoise 12 pack - $159.95
4 Tortoise - $63.80

Total - $406.65

Wabbit:

1 - 12 Pack Combo (6 Wabbit-FB, 12 Tort Conn, 12 Tortoise) - $348.88
2 2-pack Combos (1 Wabbit-FB, 2 Tort Conn, 2 Tortoise) - $132.00

Total - $475.88

And then some pros and cons. The Wabbit it obviously easier to setup, requiring only two wires from th DCC bus for the basic operation and address programing. Addition features include easy push button/toggle intergration, Panel LED indicators, ability to report feedback back to Digitrax, and auto throw.

The CTI setup, while almost $70 cheaper, requires a lot of hardware, a lot of wire running, a dedicated PC, and a lot of source code programming. Push button toggles aren’t easy to intergrate. It requires a to act as a “sensor” and programmed into the software. Panel LED’s could probably be run from the tortoise too. No feedback to DCC and no auto-throw.

So yeah, I know I was all gung-ho again for using CTI for it’s extensive programming control (ie: tying Signals to turnouts), but the same can be accomplished with JMRI if I stick with using live signals. But the other day, after working on the layout a little bit, I started second guessing myself on the whole PC control aspect of the layout. I think I really want to have some sort of local control right there at the layout side for controlling turnouts, and going the way of the Wabbit will give me that *AND* digital control from my handheld DCC throttle and/or a PC interface (with signal logic). And not having to fire up a pc and software in order to throw a turnout would be nice too.

So call me Mr. Can’t-Make-Up-His-Mind, but I think I’m back on using DCC for controlling turnouts via Wabbits. In the end, it’ll cost more, but I think I’ll be happier with the features.

I ordered a Pro-Tech single head signal last week and it arrived today in the mail. I was thinking about using these “Static” signals for the crossover tracks and branch line on the top level.

I must say I’m pretty impressed with the quality. It’s my first signal on the layout (on any of my layouts actually), and it just adds a whole other level of realism even without the rest of the scenery.

I even started considering ditching the whole expensive signals/lots-o-wires/expensive logic boards/programming headaches “signal system” for these low cost nice looking signals.

Here’s some pics:

So it seems it’s been about, well, forever since my last update on the layout.

Progress has been slow, but it’s moving along. I recently finished up the construction of the helix for the layout. I bought a precut made helix from an ebay seller, Ashlin Designs, to save me some wood work headaches, except I ended up not paying attention while gluing one of the columns on and it ended up gluing in place on an angle. This ended up throwing some of the levels at a sharp angle ie: ^ between pieces. I should be fix this though.

Otherwise, I’ve started laying out buildings and planning where roads and buildings are going to go.

I’ve removed the yard from the lower level and will be adding a “return loop” around the bottom of the room to send trains back up the helix (if space allows for the curve, I think it should), and/or create a “roundy-round” lower level.

Work on the refinery continues, and I’ve ordered the Taco Bell and Dominoes kit from Summit USA, along with the ADM Grain Elevator from Walthers.

My order of track should hopefully arrive in a week or so, containing mostly the bulk of the mainline switches. Once I get these, I’ll be able to get a better idea on space needed for mainline trackage for the city and what not.

I’m also still bouncing around names for the subdivision and towns. Georgetown has been scrapped and the layout’s current name is the Elmwood Subdivision. I’m sure it’ll change a few more times, heh.

Phew…I think that’s about it, so here’s some pics. Oh yeah, and I installed all the lights for the lower level.