FWC RR is nearing final benchwork construction.

[fwcrr]

FWC RR has most of the track laid. Upper yard-not yet!

I have a video on youtube that shows the 4-8-4 Northern meadering its way around the layout.
I got a good tip from Grampy's Trains about powering all the rail in the switches. I'll have to try that, but for the most part, this engine runs pretty well, plus I have a diesel with only 4 wheel trucks that handles it OK as well.
The only real problem I keep having is with the rolling stock derailing very easily at switches. I suspect I need some extra weight in them. How do you add weight and how much?

I'll have to start on the yard one of these days. It's 24X48" and I'd like to have a turning wye on it, instead of a turntable. Don't know if that will be possible or not. I may build some hidden yard tracks on the lower part of the layout to store extra cars.
Here's the link to youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkr7PML_Cw4

Considering I only got back to this hobby in late January, I'm amazed at what I've accomplished. I love the Internet for reference & ideas! And this forum is great!

 

[waredbear]

A lot less track. The other one was looking pretty good. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

 

[West Virginia Midland Man]

Actually, design #2 looks better. You were smart to remove that upper deck, access would've been a back-breakin' bear as you figured out.

 

[fwcrr]

Down then up on the FWC RR

Just a little background. I had originally planned on having a yard cover part of the lower level of the layout, but decided that it was a calamity waiting to happen. I re-thunk the idea and decided on a stand-alone yard measuring 24X48" that would be 7" above the lower level, but would use about 30 feet of running to achieve this, which I calculated to be a bit less than a 3% grade. The yard has yet to be built. I finally laid some track 2 days ago, and successfully ran a 4-8-4 steamer up it pulling 12 cars, which is more than enough for me (the video shows 8, but I ran more later). I have a video posted where you can see the action. I even stuck in some steam engine sound FX to liven it up. The video isn't the greatest, as it was taken with my point & shoot camera, but it conveys what I wanted it to. I still have to take Grampys Trains advice on wiring the turnouts, as the locomotives tend to sputter thru them, and I have a couple of spots where the track has to be improved, but, all in all, I'm pleased with my efforts over the past 2 months. Here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkr7PML_Cw4