Slow progress

Progress has been slow during the last few months. This is because of a number of reasons, one of which has been my poor track building, including chasing my tail with wiring problems. In the past, until testing Rospeath Lane's track, I have enjoyed building track but because of the time constraints for this challenge, I think I didn't take enough care in its construction. It has taken much time to correct all the tight spots through the turnouts and even with some within sections of the plain track along with infuriating wiring problems. On more than one occasion, I even considered ripping all the track up and starting again... The phrase "more haste, less speed" comes to mind...

However, eventually I converted two locomotives to DCC with P4 drop-in wheels to test the track. My thinking is if these two locos can navigate the turnouts and plain rack, compensated locos should not have too much of an problem running on the layout.Well, that is my theory.

Coal storage sidings

Coaling stage and ash pit tracks

Running shed tracks

Track running though the coaling stage and onto the extension beyond is still to be installed. The dely here is I have been contemplating installing lighting and though this would be easier on the bench than when the buildings are in position on the layout.

The next major hurdle is installing the turntable. I have built the MERG control board and it's passed the first electrical tests. Bench testing needs to be completed with the stepper motor and switches before installing within the turntable well.