Late Summer Update 1: Digitrax and Fascia

The past week offered opportunity to get back into the basement after almost 7 months away from the railroad and continue to make progress in any way possible. After a successful winter work session, the project list was still long with a few major projects remaining before more intricate and detailed work can begin. Some time was spent on each major goal, and the coming week will provide more opportunity for work.

Klammath Falls Staging: The two staging yards on the railroad, Eugene and Klammath Falls, are major centers for operation and given their hidden locations, are priorities in terms of reliable operation. Eugene is nearing completion, especially after work done this week, however Klammath Falls is still just plywood and cork. 4 of the 9 turnouts have been built with more time planned later this week to complete the remaining 5.

Benchwork: Fascia Panels have been attached and "beautifying" them has begun for Eugene. While this will be mostly hidden by Oakridge, a finished look throughout the entire railroad will bring a more developed look of completion. Still debating paint colors.

Electrical/Wiring: After a few years of construction, the railroad finally has a control system! The digitrax system is installed and powered up. Work on installing and fine-tuning the detection sections and track power has and will be a major push this coming week, but the goal is the have Eugene powered an operational by Thanksgiving and the mainline up and running by the New Year. We are one step further along in that regard.

New fascia panel at Eugene with fresh spackling to cover the joints and screw holes. Screws counter-sunk for a clean and solid look.

Fascia is 6 inches deep, which will most likely be the minimum for the rest of the railroad. Main level fascia and valences more likely to be 8-10 inches.

Another glace at the fascia

Evolution Starter set is the base for the Digitrax system which will expand for detection, signaling, and JMRI control

Shelf constructed for the Command Station and subsequent boosters to power the railroad. Shelf brackets and scrap plywood did the job.

Hole for the fascia panel (Digitrax UP5) has been cut out in preparation for panel install.

The DCS210 command station/booster resting on the newly constructed shelf.

At the workbench wiring the 44-pin connector clip for the BDL 168 to monitor Eugene and Oakridge.

BDL 168 mounted on Eugene/Oakridge Panel beneath Eugene. May spend time later further cleaning up the wiring to the terminal strip, though content with initial results.

Track Power runs installed from booster and connected to BDL 168.

Loconet and aux power connected, system on! Now time for fine-tuning and working out of the bugs.

Stay tuned for more work to come!