I've been trying to get something done on the layout during the week I've been off work. Gotta go back Tuesday.
Only 5 years and 10 months from today and I never have to go back!
I got the main power switch for the layout moved.
I installed the piano hinge for the main control panel. I used 4 10-24 X 2-1/2" machine screws and T-nuts to ensure that it won't pull out. I used 1 on each end and 2 in the middle. Ran them through the plywood table top, secured with the T-nuts.
All the other holes in the piano hinge got a #6 x 1-5/8 coarse thread drywall screw. That hinge ain't going nowhere!
Before I built the control panel I clamped the top piece into place and used the hinge to locate the machine screw holes. Then I drilled the pilot holes and installed the T-nuts. Once the panel is done I'll run the machine screws into their T-nuts and install the drywall screws.
Speaking of the control panel, here it is after the 1st coat of paint:
I couldn't get the whole thing into the camera frame. It's 96" long and 18" wide. Normally it will hang straight down, but when operating I would like to have it a small angle, maybe 10-15 degrees, to make it easier to see the switches and such. Haven't quite figured out how to do that, but rest assured, in the end victory will be mine!
Once I get the control panel off the floor, I want to start installing some cork squares where the yard will be. I tried to come up with a way to go from the raised mainline to the yard level, but I don't have much room to make the transition, and the resulting drop would be too severe. So I decided to install cork tiles and bring the yard up to mainline level. I'll paint the tiles a different color to "hide" that fact.
Yesterday I ordered 5 small left hand turnouts from Midwest Model Railroad, and 2 small right turnouts from Yankee Dabbler. I would have gotten them all from MMR, but they had no rights in stock. That should be enough turnouts to pretty much finish the track plan. I have some Atlas CustomLine turnouts and a few wye's. Those will be used in the industries.
I still need to order some timers for my Kadee #309 electromagnets. Putting permanent magnets on the mainline, well...
I need to clean up around here.