After a break related to my full time job change, I've slowly started building again. The goal is to have the upper and lower decks done before the CIRROPS event in November. I'd also like to get the helix done by then, but I'd be ok with being able to operate the lower deck.
April 1st
I got the backdrops attached to modules L1 and L2 and got them mounted to the shelving brackets. Unfortunately, I see the results of how uneven the shelving brackets were when I installed them, so I had to add a number of shims under the brackets. However, the entire unit is really solid. Each section is 8' long and 36" deep. The back half is going to be a 8 track staging yard, similar to the one on the upper deck. The front half will be an industrial/switching district.
April 9th
Bob Vila was right... measure twice, cut once. I had to adjust the connector section that goes between L2 and the wall because I measured it incorrectly the first time. It's in there temporarily because I still need to cut the hole into the sump room.
April 30th
I had my first group work session tonight. Between the six people plus me, we got section L5 and L6 completed, and U9 is ready to assemble. We also had a good discussion about how to build the peninsula that will run down through the middle of the room.
I've also been connecting up RR-Cirkits block detection coils to my Watchman board. At this point, I have three blocks being properly detected and have four more to connect on the upper level.
Here's the construction plan to get the upper and lower decks connected:
- Temporarily install L5 on the east wall to determine vertical location of sump room hole
- Build L4 section through sump room, including removable "bridge".
- Permanently install L5-L9 on east wall
- Build/install upper and lower sections on south wall to connect between east wall and back room where helix will go. Part of this section where the peninsula will eventually connect will be temporary track that can be reconfigured later.
- Empty out back storage room
- Design helix and connector tracks on top and bottom. If possible, I want to investigate putting in a reverse loop as part of the top and bottom of the helix. I also want to determine whether an extra set of storage tracks can fit above where the dispatcher desk will go.
- Build helix/connector/reverse loop tracks in back room
The helix is probably the biggest task, but I'm planning to cut quarter circle curves from plywood to build the grade between the two decks.
