New Tail Track for the WFS

I have constructed a new tail track section to accommodate the Mopac Gp15-1 loco. The layout size has increased from 531 square inches to 535 square inches. Still well under the 576 square inches (4 square feet) micro layout footprint.

Photos of the foamcore tail track construction:

Time to run some trains before packing it up again. Maybe train shows will come back in 2021.

Tom

Warehouse Switching

 

Updating the Layout

Displaying the layout at a train show has been a bust for 2020 and quite possibly for 2021 as well due to COVID-19.

I pulled the layout out of storage earlier this week and set it up to run some trains. The layout had been in storage for 16 months. I am using this time to update the layout.

My newest locomotive is too long to operate on the tail track when coupled to rolling stock longer than 40'.  I never planned on using longer wheelbase locos, but I could not resist with the Mopac Gp15-1 loco. The prototype loco actually operated on the rail line that served the Wetterau Food Services warehouse. It more than likely switched the warehouse too. I'm going to extend the tail track by 2" to accommodate the new loco. This is an easy change with the foamcore baseboard. I will need to build a new tail track section.

I am also adding crossbucks to the road that crosses the track.  This is something I wanted to do for a long time, but never got around to doing it. I purchased a sign kit from Blair Line LLC off of eBay. These are simple to build. The posts are wood and the crossbucks are printed on thin styrene. 

I'm hoping things will improve with the COVID-19 situation, and I can get the layout back on the road in 2021!

Tom