GSD September Update

 GSD Construction

I established a strict plan for development of the layout with set goals for each month. For September my aim was to get the west wall framing in, build the mainline from the eastern end into Blue Lake and then complete Blue Lake Yard including wiring, point control and isolator panel.

As they say the best laid plans...... Well I haven't missed the mark by much, although it is amazing how much time is sucked up wiring and testing control panels, points etc.

The west wall framing is complete and the sub-roadbed and track is in. I found a product called Loktite Kwickgrab, which I use to glue down the cork underlay before sanding it and ensuring the roadbed is smooth as, so things run smoothly.

Looking East. Blue Lake Station is on the right, the Adelaide Bluebird sits in the Passenger Pocket. VR S Class 315 sits on the passing track, SAR930 941 ready for departure to Adelaide on the Arrival/Departure Track while Class leader 930 and 833 shunt the yard tracks.

Looking West. The Locomotive service tracks can be seen on the right with SAR 800 809 Sanding and VR J Class Steamer 519 sits cold awaiting it fireman's match to return to Heywood.

To date, all the track has been laid and wired in Blue Lake, all mainline points have Tortoise switch machines linked to Loconet and Yard switches have either Tortoise or Servo switched underneath them. Blue Lake will have two Yard Panels, East and West. The West Panel is nearly complete and wired. 

               The first cut of the West panel

Layout Design

I was looking at Google Earth and had a look a Murray Bridge Yard, or what's left of it and decided to redesign Murray Bridge Track Plan to replicate the original. Unfortunately room does not allow installing the river branch to the wharves, but the wharf will be represented on the layout.

3D Printing

Cranked up the Anycubic Kobra Plus and printed off some holders for the Digitrax controller I had to buy so that Sol could have some fun. Still haven't arc'ed up the new Resin printer though.

October Goals

Complete Blue Lake

South Wall Framing and associated hidden track for the Heywood Branch and the Millicent line.

Bridgewater track and wiring.