We last left off with an acceptable tape job on the floor, plans to open up the wall with a "reach through" and a door, discussing radii, "givens" & "druthers", and awaiting track plans from Bob L.
Since then, the guys have been over and discussions continued (after pizza of course) regarding all the above, plus what it will take to incorporate some of the Sievers benchwork I have, converting over to DCC/NCE, use of PECO switches and Code 100 rail. Plus we patched up the walls where my O gage benchwork was previously secured. I'll need my electrician's help to move the circuit breaker box. Its location was fine for the O gage but not so great now.
I moved forward cutting out the door and access window in the hallway wall. Jobs like that are never as easy as you hope. In this case, the hassles involved rerouting some wiring and replacing some inconveniently located junction boxes. I'm very motivated at this point to finish up the work (replace drywall, tape and plaster, oh boy!) so that my next work session can focus on benchwork.
Also being considered is the overhead lighting and the possible need to add some more. No "possible" about it, really. I'll be adding more light. Not a difficult job, but enough of a challenge due to the ductwork throughout the train room.
I have received Bob L's track plan. Overall I like it very much. However it didn't have some of my "givens" such as continuous running and no duck-unders (does a lift-up gate count as a duck-under?)... it is also multi-level which I am a little hesitant to undertake. But I do plan on at least incorporating the Bellows Falls and Bennington Yards per his proposed plans. Nothing is written in stone of course, in fact I still have a lot more to consider before "closing the deal". For example, The Rutland had some loooooong, albeit beautiful runs between industries. For the sake, ease and fun of operations, I'll want to shorten those runs a little bit yet still represent them in a respectful manner.
Also, this past weekend I attended the Collinsville Prototype Meet and met up with a couple other Rutland "specialists" who offered to show me their layouts and hook me up with some more books/resources on the Rutland... basically just providing me with even more fodder to chew on.
I am grateful for the guys who play a big part in keeping the momentum going. I'm a firm believer in planning and prepping, and sometimes I need somebody to tell me it's okay to dive in and just do it... whatever "it" may be. Put down the pen and paper and pick up a power tool already! Thanks guys.
