Expansion Pieces Arrived And Wiring The Layout

I was hoping for my expansion track pieces to arrive on Saturday so I could finish the layout on Sunday, but due to Veteran’s Day Holiday, the USPS was delayed at least a day this weekend. So yesterday my package from Model Train Stuff finally arrived and it was like an early Christmas present for me.

Once work was finished for the day I had to open the box and dig out the track pieces needed to finally complete my layout. Once I connected all the track pieces, I marked a quick outline of those new pieces and proceeded to drill some more holes under the track for the wiring of the new turnouts and an additional power feed. Once that was done I was able to secure the track to my trackboard.

Track pieces all secured.

Now it was time to take the board down (with the help of my wife) and set it on it’s side so I could complete the wiring underneath. 25 years ago I used to work in the car stereo business installing radios and speakers, and during that time I got pretty compulsive on the neatness of my wiring. I tried to use those same skills on the wiring of this layout. I know none of the wiring was going to be visible, but anyways I wanted to keep it as neat as possible. With the bar top already having a place to feed my wires through, I directed all my wires to that corner of the board.

Trying to keep it as neat as possible.

Wires being feed through the bar at this location.

The gap between the bar and shelf is where the wires will come out and be plugged into the command stations.

Up next will be to finish the shelf for the command station, mainly just a coat of paint instead of the bare wood and to tidy up all the wiring underneath. I am not sure when I will be able to get to the store for some paint, it may have to wait till this weekend unless I can make a run during lunch.

Now we’ll have to see if my DCC works.

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