I must blog!

I need to work on getting regular updates here instead of just the True Line Trains Twitter/Facebook/Webpage.

So I'm working on cleaning up the basement, and identifying what I need to work on next. I can lay out some additional trackwork with what I have on hand, but the budget won't allow much more right now. So instead I'm working on specifically planning what needs to be done so when I can coordinate the budget and the help I can make some significant progress.

I did start up the layout and was surprised that I didn't have anything laying across the track and causing a short. Cleaned some locomotive wheels and track and it's still working pretty well. I really want to finish the connection to the east helix again, though. Then I can have trains running continuously while working.

I need to make a small modification on the west end of the layout as well. Fortunately, the track isn't in place yet. I'll be cutting out a section of the OSB deck and replacing it with masonite over the track that leads into the helix. I need about 1/8" (minimum) greater clearance for the TLT U-2-g coal load to fit. I can run it without a coal load, or a shorter one. But pictures of some New Haven locomotives show that it wasn't uncommon for a tender to be loaded above the height of the cab, and I'd like to be able to do that.

This extra clearance it also going to impact the rebuilding of the east side, but I think it will be worth it for the appearance of the locomotives.