Track laying

The siding placement in the closet has not been finalized yet, but there maybe 2 or 3 industries there. On the right you can see 2 sidings along the background. Two building flats will be located there. A scratch built old time grain elevator on the left. On the left another factory. 

Looking at the rest of this leg, you can see, on the right a turnout, leading to a spar tree. Picking up logs there, the train has to go all the way around the loop to get to the sawmill. The sidings there are isolated so the engine can be held there.

 

Over center springs

 

Making over center springs for my turnouts. Mounting the spring under the track keeps them from lifting up. 

To make these I use piano wire which is very stiff. Make the first right angle bend, just long enough to pass through the throw tie. At about the same distance from the bend, make about a 90 degree bend and again bend down another leg, to stick through the tie. Cut the second leg the same length as the first one.  Holding the spring's legs over the two holes they should be just a little wider than the holes. Now the fun is forcing the legs in the holes. If done correctly the switch should snap closed in both directions. 

Oops

Made a radius marker to draw some curves and found my benchwork was too narrow, so a piece of wood and a couple of screws and problem solved. The radius marker was has a hole for a pencil and tiny holes, at 1 inch increments, at the other end for the axis.

Backdrop and tile installed

Ceiling tiles laid out on top of the 5/8 inch plywood  and the pattern of the harbor was transferred to them. The tiles were then cut on my bandsaw. The tiles and the 16 inch high backdrop were then nailed into place with my nail gun.

 

Benchwork

The first section of the benchwork is in place. I have chosen my favorite base material for the layout,  that being ceiling tiles. I will be using the 1 foot square ones as they have a firm, non-dusty backing which holds track nails quite well. The folded paper on the left is a full size drawing of the harbour to act as a cutting guide for the ceiling tiles. The backdrop will be 16 inches high.

First layout plan

 This first plan has the basic concept of the railroad. The area to the right will be the last section built, the harbour is at the top and an industrial town is to the left.

Bench plan

 

This is the benchwork plan for the first stage of the Harbour Junction railroad.  The rectangle on the right is actually the top of a bench/cabinet. The illustrated loop and yard is a temporary end section for the first stage of the layout, to the left.