I added about 20 feet to the upper level that extends the dual track mainline from the arrival and departure tracks of Fuhgeddaboudit Yard.

A branch line splits from the main and will eventually be extended to a coal mine and a couple of industrial areas on the upper level.  The main will begin its descent to the lower level.

A few short videos.  Pennsy 6-8-6 steam turbine #6200 moving from right to left leaving the yard and entering the main.  UP 4-12-2 #9019 entering the yard from the main.  Also a pan of the yard with the classification tracks along the wall and the loco servicing area in front.

In case any of you notice my temporary power distribution wiring I modelled it after wiring I saw in Havana, Cuba last year.  See the photo of the typical Havana building power entrance wiring at the end of this update.

Oops!!!!

That is the title for this blog update.  I could also call it "Improve Your Planning".  Look at the two pics below and you will understand.

During my initial layout of the trackwork it looked like the turnout throw bars would not be over any of the support joists and interfere with the mounting of the turnout motors.

In laying the final trackwork a little adjustment here and there has placed several over the joists or too close to be able to mount the motors.

It looks like I can safely move one joist but I will need to use the offset mounts in at least four locations and will need to surface mount a motor in another location.  Fortunately the surface mounted one will be in a good location for a small building.

The rest of my benchwork will not be as fortified and not interfere with anything under the layout.

Since my plan was to use DCC Concepts Cobalt turnout motors in most locations I would still have sufficient clearance to mount them over the joists.  The Cobalt is about 2/3 the size of a Tortoise and has the quick disconnect wire connectors incorporated.

Well, the Cobalts are all out of stock since parts for them come from China so I need to use Tortoises for now.  The cost of the Tortoise is about $4 to $6 each more than the Cobalt if you include the cost of an Acculites or another type wiring connector.

In the pics the spot of light is shining down from the throw bar hole and hitting the joist.