Changes for the next session

Well the track and sidings have been tested. So the decision was to go ahead and make the upper level operational. The control panels are installed. 25 additional cars have been added and waybills have been updated. I didn't do the full change out of waybills, because there just wasn't enough time.
I changed some of the trains around and redid the time table so that the trains are in a better sequence. Now when a train leaves staging it's corresponding train in the opposite direction will also leave staging. This will allow for trains to always arrive in the same track from session to session.
I still have to adjust the wires in one of the new control boxes because it doesn't close just right. I also have to make a few more card boxes for the new towns. And don't forget the paperwork. With any luck it will all be correct so that the confusion level stays as low as possible.

Mad dash to two Op Sessions

I set a quicker goal to be able to use the upper level for the next two Op sessions, which will be three days apart. It has taken a little longer than planned to get the local control panels for Bucksport and Orrington installed and working. The was the minimum requirement to use these towns. After I got the panels operating correctly, I went back and powered up all of the sidings that were now usable because the control panels worked.
The next step is to clean up the mess I made and test the new track and if all goes well I'll add the new waybills. I will have to add about 20 more cars and bring back some cars that were a little more modern than I wanted. We'll have to see if I get 20 cars checked out.
To use the full layout I planned to change out all of the waybills, but I figure that I'm running short on time, so I decided to add some waybills for the new industries and I'll make the big change when there is more time.

First trains arrive in Bangor

Train PN1 is the first to arrive in Bangor, with Bangor and Aroostook, GP-7 #60 in the lead. PN2 followed shortly thereafter, with Maine Central GP-7 #567 in the lead. The Blue Ridge & White Mountain Railroad mainline is now operational.

 

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Northern Maine Junction (upper staging)

Started the morning installing all the TSM's at the southern end of Northern Maine Junction (NMJ). When I completed that project I set up to connect and test the tortoises. When I got to the computer I discovered that the track on the dispatch panel didn't quite match actual. The three way was not exactly right and I really wanted track number 10 to be at the top of the screen. This would mean that all multiple tracks the dispatch would see would have the highest track number at the top. So I had to redesign the upper level on screen 4.
When that was completed, I connected the TSM's to the computer and programmed them for operation. Then came the testing of the TSM's and after a few computer changes everything was working fine.
My next project was to finish hooking up 8 of the 10 tracks for power and the yard throat had to have power. The yard throat takes a lot of time because of all the turnouts require extra wires to make everything work OK.
I finally ran out of gas so the next time I go down there I'll quickly cut the gaps for the yard throat and then it will be time to test the engine and see if it runs. If all is successful I will be able to say that I can run trains throughout the complete layout. This might not happen until Monday.

Train seen going to Katahdin

Today a train was seen traveling to Katahdin testing out the track work. It was held short of the yard in Bangor while the yard throat was being worked on.

Golden Spike

The golden spike was planted May 2, 2011 @ 2:15 PM.

I might be a little early, but the track was completed at this time. The power and controls are still coming.

All Switches in Orrington Operational

All of the tortoise machines are installed in Orrington and working from the computer. I guess it is time to catch up on the local control panels, or maybe I'll finish installing the mainline. What to do? What to do?
If I get all the way to staging I can add more trains and the dispatcher can control the upper level mainline. However, there won't be any switching from the two major towns on the upper level until I get a local control panel.
I guess I'll figure it out by Wednesday when I start the next batch of construction.