Well, the track and roadbed are in and operational. Trains are running, but geomorphology and scenicing still needed.

Where's Nick when I need some foam carved? :-)


The new double track bridges and makeshift support. We'll get to that "later".


A bit abrupt and steps, but workable.


Double track on the grade hidden behind Kragle.

So,…
The objectives are to change the "around the mountain twice" route, by separating the mountain loop into two separate routes, a "high route" and a "middle route", in an attempt to reduce the "merry-go-round" feel . In the process, add a larger diameter curve (for drama), and maybe (eventually) double track the "upper and middle main". Which would really just create a larger whole layout loop incorporating the upper and middle.


Test fit of the double main 315 & 282. Should work/fit.



Existing over/under merry-go-round trackage. But I did like the canyon.


Existing station and mainline tracks.
Actually (from left to right: local freight route, station tracks, "upper" main station bypass , local freight into lower main, lower main/lower main (return/reverse loop), yard entrance, and upper main.



Cut through the mountain, removed the canyon track.
Test fit the new "middle route" track, and not quite sweeping curve.


Finally found a use for the shaper sheets (I think).
Intent is to have a rolling hillside look.
Gonna be pretty tight to accomplish that.


Weights are to hold the shaper sheets down during gluing.
Sweeping curve, not quite there yet. Its going to have to cross over one or more of the lower tracks. Bridge or tunnel? Probably depend on the radius I can get.



Another test fit on the sweeping curve. Too close to middle and upper routes to have a hillside, but I like the sweep. 481mm 15* curves with 29mm straights.


Got the sweeper laid out enough to glue the risers. The Mainline behind the station now has a sweeping curve and a long gentle decline from the high route. It's really a combination of a 318/481 section, 1/2 straight into a greater than 481 section, another 1/2 straight, and a final greater than 481 into the mainline straight. A compromise.
And its still going to be very tight for scenery.

Well, with the major scenicking update more or less done, it must be time to tweak the track plans,…



Got tired of cleaning the local freight track, so decided to make it a loop so the trains can polish the rails with their traffic. Well thats the plan. ;-)
Added a double crossover wher the local/yard line connected to the lower main west of the river. Repurposing the two #6 turnouts to replace the crapy #4's in the local line. Extended the local line from Kragle, through the incline, and connecting to the local/yard line before the tunnel, thus making a third loop. This freed up another #6 which provides acess to two new industry spurs inside the lower main loopback.

1. Mountain Loop
2. Upper Main Loop
3. Lower Main Loop
4. Local Loop

B, C & D can be run as one.
B & C can be run as one.
and
C & D can be run as one.

Slowly incorporating remote control of Switches via JMRI.

Switch Kat


and DS64

Amazingly resiliant stuff this Kato trackage!

Need a bit more track.
Some foam risers.
DCC control.
Some trains.
Build some mountains, and structures, etc., etc., etc., ...

Latest incarnation,...

Latest plan looks more like the what I was thinking originaly?!

This forced downtime and the potential of the new train Cave Cellar have given me the opportunity to rethink the layout.

Well,… decided the engineering of the "Top Route" was getting unnecessarily complicated with the racks and "West Module" standing out from the wall so,… after some RaillModeler fiddling, the West Module is now attached to the wall (disconnectable) and the loopback is eliminated. It seems that this new configuration makes for more realistic and interesting operations capability.

1. Dock Spur
2. Barge
3. Mill
4. Quarry/Mine Chute
5. Mill
6. Passenger Terminal in City (2 spurs)
7. Log Transfer (planned)

3 "Super Modules"

1. The Yard Module (15x60)
2. The Urban Module (18x60)
3. The West Module (32x48)

At some point an "upper" module probably just for short logging trains

Issues to Resolve:

The current modules were built over-tall. The yard module is of reasonable height, the existing "Siding" and "Urban" modules will be scrapped, but the 4 corners will need to be addressed,…

• Incorporate into "Super Modules" - limits flexibility (but is that an issue?)
• Rebuild - worth a try. cut out a section of foam and re glue. <==
• Build new - (I don't like building modules)
• Use as is - would need to block up the modules.

My "goal" design has evolved to some form of finality but I am begining to recognize that the T-Trak modules are too small for a home layout.

Modified (hybrid) Approach

Incorporate the "siding" modules into a new large 36" deep module which will include a new South Loopback (with an industry or two), and also support a segment of the high route track.

High Route

Start the high route off the outside "mainline" in the Yard module and reconnect with the inside "mainline", after a double crossover in the "city", connecting on the "duck-under" "bridge".
Still some "magic happens here" for the supports of the high route corners.

Rather than a siding (third track) I think may be better to use one of the dual track "mains" as a Station/Service/Siding track. Really allows both "mains" to serve as siding.

Glued up 2 more single modules.
Ordered legs. Still quite a few hurricane nuts, but used up the legs, already!
Cut and assembled Yard module 4' x 15"