October 28, 2025
October 28th is a Red Letter Day – all the track is in and wired.
The last section was across the door gate that connects the staging yard to the Gerber Yard. The cork roadbed was installed and then cut with a box cutter where the section rotates to allow entry to the train room.
Screws were driven in using a piece of rail to determine the correct height. Each screw had flux put on it and then solder added. The additional flux really helped the solder flow better across the head of the screw. A bastard file was sued to level the solder. Track was laid across the joint and marked where ties needed to be removed. Track was soldered onto the screw heads and then rails were cut at the joint using a cutoff wheel in the Dremel. Everything lined up perfectly in every direction.
I am so pleased with the gate operation. It was purchased from ELS Train Service. I can’t imagine ducking under for the 2 years it has taken to construct the layout. I still need to install a breaker switch that will cut the power to the leads on both sides so no locos will be plunging into the abyss.
