We start in the railroad west/south end of Oakridge. Here the mainline turnout has been installed and secured to the roadbed, and feeder wires are awaiting soldering. I am using 18 gauge wire for all feeders, and 14 for the main bus lines.
The liftout across the layout entrance was a project put on hold until the larger carpentry projects in the railroad room were completed. This lower level bridge connects Eugene staging to Westfir, and subsequently Oakridge. Grade is 2.5% here.
Using spline to draw a smooth track center for the curve out of Eugene. Care was taken to ensure a smooth and manageable transition out of the first turnout in the ladder.
Cork laid directly onto the plywood of the liftout and the approach. Will cut separation when the adhesive sets up. Track and wiring to come in this area, as well as through Westfir into railroad east/north Oakridge.
In an unrelated project, while cork laying supplies were out, completed the last section of cork on the plywood subroadbed on the top level of the helix. Here, we are looking at the future exit of tunnel 18.
In addition to structural infrastructure on the railroad, here are some of the new electronics waiting installation. Pictured above are a secondary booster, SE8C signal decoder, the second BDL 168 for detection of upper level, one of the two auto reversers needed, a box of Tortoises, and the Loconet USB buffer. In the background of all the track work, I have been working on the JMRI detection and signalling aspect of the layout, which will be essential for operation. As of this update, all of Eugene staging's turnouts have been programmed, as well as the detection sections for each track. Still working on constructing the panel for dispatcher control. A substantial learning curve has been involved in this process, but it has been a very enjoyable aspect of the hobby I can take with me outside of the railroad room on my laptop. Excited for the possibilities of this system.
Back to Oakridge. Here are some of the most up to date photos. Track and wiring for the mainline and passing siding in south/west Oakridge are complete.
Completed ladder for the yard. In order from the main, we have the yard lead off of the passing siding, the lead to P&T, the south leg of the wye, and the split of the storage tracks in the yard (right) and the runaround/MOW tracks (left). All turnouts are manual micro engineering.
View of the underside of west Oakridge. This ex-SP unit has been the trusty tester locomotive for all of the new wiring as well as programming the detection sections in Eugene. Above, the wiring can be seen. Red wires run to detection sections. Tap-splices are used for connection to feeders. Unconnected feeders are for the undetected yard.
The helix is now live and connected to its wiring. The helix is located just to the west/south of Oakridge, and serves as the portal into the high mountains of the pass. Hoping to make the connection of helix to Oakridge in the next few weeks.
One last shot of Oakridge. This is the east/north ladder which is currently under construction. Waiting on a few turnouts on order to finish this section. In the top right of the photo is the pile of left over ME flex track I will use to complete the yard and mainline.
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