Page updated on Friday, January 23, 2026
Latest work completed:
Power busses run for Track 1, 2, and 3.
Cab bus run to all the AIUs and UTPs.
Ran the first train on Tracks 1, 2, and 3.
Anderson connectors arrived, so I can finish the duck-under wiring.
Wired the first track occupancy detector (Pitt Block) and verified it worked.
Next work to do:
Run 5 VDC and 12 VDC power busses around the layout.
Connect 5 VDC to the AIUs and BD20s and check the 30 remaining track occupancy detectors.
Overview of the Layout
Golden spike is in place (11/23/2025). This spike was the golden spike from my last layout in Maryland.
Wiring for the command station and power boosters. I use the computer power supply for any circuits and
LED lighting (5 VDC) and 12 VDC for incadescent bulbs around the layout.
Duck-under (removable) bridge painted and wired.
Wiring for power to the tracks and detection current sensors for Laughlin Jct, Demmler, and the URR track.
Used WAGO connectors for the 12 AWG power bus wiring.
Also used them when more than two wires were connected to a terminal screw.
Worked much better than the wire nuts that were used on the previous layout.
First train run to check Track 1. Train ran smoothly with no issues.
Took 7 minutes to run over the entire mainline (approx 3 miles) at a scale 25 mph.
Pitt block occupany detector wired and verified that it worked when a train entered the block.
Diagrams of the wiring
Layout Specifications:
Mainline Length:
Track 1: 177.5 ft (2.93 scale miles)
Track 2: 181.5 ft (2.99 scale miles)
Minimum Walkway Width: 35"
Minimum Subroadbed Height: 44.5"
Maximum Subroadbed Height: 48.75"
Minimum Radius: 30"
Curve Easements: 18" transition, 0.5" offset
Super Elevation: 0.030"
Atlas Code 100 Flex Track and Switches
Tangent Track Center to Center: 2"
Curved Track Center to Center 2.25"
Yard Track Center to Center: 2"
Mainline Maximum Grade: 1.5%
Mainline Crossovers: #8
Spurs off of the Mainline: #6
Yard/Industrial Switches: #4
DCC: NCE Powerhouse Pro System with 3 power districts
JMRI Software
Track charts showing the location of switches, tunnels, bridges, elevation, grade, and the interlockings and blocks.
Some of the track is not totally accurate due to space, but all the tunnels and bridges are properly located.
Train room dimensions along with the approximate dimensions of the layout.
The size changed a bit as I was laying out the track. The room is approximately 755 sqft.
A photo from my old layout in Maryland (2001 - 2019).
P&LE 1589, an MP-15 leads a load of coated pipe past the Westinghouse factory.
I am a member of the following railroad historical societies.
