As I’m watching the lovely rain come down, I thought it would be appropriate to get some overhead shots of the entire layout and update the folks over at LSC what’s been happening overall on my layout the past few months.
As we leave the garage we cross over the Sammamish Slough heading towards Redmond.
In the background is as a still to be developed industry that represents a couple industries at 90th and Willows Rd. On the prototype this comes before the Slough. You’ll also note the presence of two BBQ. One is currently in reserve for use in annealing aluminum cans for T-D Feeds.
We then head down the more non prototypical 4% grade towards Redmond.
Before we enter Redmond, we reach the highest point of the railroad with rail about 70" above ground, allowing for a 60" duck under. This is just to the right of the cedar tree ( hopefully I left enough room for that to grow over the next 20 years).Landscaping is in progress for creating a forced step down under the layout.
The main industry in Redmond is T-D Feeds, receiving 3x a week service. Besides the feed mill, I’ve only made progress on two structures; the depot and a pawn shop. Not built yet are three remaining non railroad structures ( 2 bay Auto repair shop, a small engine repair shop and a 2 story brick building).
As we leave Redmond ( phase two of layout construction), we encounter the third and last lift out of the layout (first two include the garage to Slough and Slough to 90th). I’m still trying to figure out how I want to build this one, but it will probably take the same style of aluminum channel.
Once we cross over, the track begins a small S curve before entering a 12’ radius curve to start running towards Issaquah. Near the end of the curve, the next industry to come online will be St. Regis lumber.
This spur is freelanced due to space as the prototype made a sweeping 90° curve that I just don’t have room for. This also might be the only location on the outdoor portion to have a #6 turn vs a #9 ( such as the prototype)
As we leave St. Regis, the level grade ends and starts back up a 4% grade to maintain a track level height of 36" or so.
My goal is to get to Darigold and the fence by the end of 2023 another 50’ away, leaving just another 75’-100’ or so of run to Issaquah and the runaround.
Thanks to Paul Burch for selling me his leftover track after tearing out his layout. His track is finding a new home on my layout. I’m slowly coming to the conclusion that after all these years of hand laid track it might finally be time to slowly replace with commercial track. Thanks to Paul, I have quite a bit of Sunset Valley track to use up first. I’m still committed to building my own turnouts, and using up the track I’ve got built already.
