Gaps and Drops

The Paducah & Lake Erie is now fully operational after some 5 1/2 hours spent Saturday in with Digitrax expert Brian Post dealing with all the reversing loops. The reversing loops were created primarily because of the complex interlocking with two crossovers on the lower level. After a number of double gaps and power line drops -- I will post a explanatory photo later for those who are interested -- trains run through the interlocking from any one of four tracks and leave via any one of the same four tracks. Photo above shows two trains meeting on the lower level, the first time power has gotten to these tracks. Now, with trains running the entire mainline, I can start "tuning" the track to assure smooth operation, and adding the yard and industrial turnouts. Again, thank you to the yeoman effort put forth by Brian Post in solving this complex wiring problem.

Digitrax Electronics Nearly Finished

The Digitrax electronics are nearing complete installation. Those working with Digitrax will recognize the device pictured here as the PM 42, an auto-reversing circuit board. This circuit board allows for up to four reversing loops, which will handle the loops on the P&LE. Note the labels on the left side of the board, designating the reversing loops: "Heyl" is Heyl Junction, an interlocking on the lower level, "Yard" is a "wye" track into a storage yard, and "Mine" is a double crossover coming out of the helix on the upper level. The fourth reversing loop will be the turntable at the engine facility when installed. The main line leads are in. Next comes the four-track classification Attica Yard on the lower level, and hooking up the Tortoise turnout motors to DPDT switches.

Dean Freytag, 1924 - 2010

Model railroading lost a friend and an icon Christmas evening with the passing of Dean Freytag in an assisted living home in Ashland, Ohio. Dean, 86, was well known for his scratch building and kit bashing, particularly of steel mills. He was published widely in the model press, with more than 50 articles in Model Railroader alone. He was also the author of two popular modeling books, one about using styrene and Plastruct, the other about the history and modeling of steel mills. Many of us have Dean Freytag structures on our model railroads. The Paducah & Lake Erie has a Freytag kit bashed nine-stall engine house and a scratch built refueling and sanding facility, as well as a series of covered hoppers from his South Ridge Lines. Dean was preceded in death by his wife Ann (1999) and is survived by a sister, Carol, brother-in-law Jim, and a niece and nephew. Rest in peace.

Leads Going In

The lower level leads are going in on the Paducah & Lake Erie. I have also finished connecting the long siding to the main line on the lower level. It's an interesting process; since we hooked the leads to the buss wires prior to fastening down the plywood sub-roadbed, I now look underneath to see where the leads are attached, drill the holes for the leads, drop foam roadbed pins (about 3" long) down the holes to make it easier to find the holes, and then follow the pins out of the holes with the lead wire up to the track, rather than the normal solder-to-the-track and fish down to the buss wires ... a long explanation for a relatively simple task. As soon as I get the remainder of the leads in, I plan to build Attica (my hometown in Indiana) Yard on the lower level. The four-track yard will be about 17 feet long and will have on/off switches to each track. Then it's back to wiring the Tortoise switches to power the turnouts.

Happy Thanksgiving

To all of you, Sue and I wish you a great Thanksgiving and the very best of holiday seasons.

Rolling Stock Appears on P&LE

Rolling stock is slowly starting to appear on the Paducah & Lake Erie. First to show up is the Peabody coal train, shown here crossing from the helix to the ramp that will take it to the lower level. Not all play today, as I put in the loooong passing siding on the lower level. Next is hooking up the lower level power leads as there is a significant decrease in power on the new trackage.