I have now completed the wiring of Staging Yard "A" (10 tracks) on the near side of the peninsula.  It took about 35 hours over two weeks to complete the wiring job.  All 10 tracks can be turned on or off via the SPDT switches located in the recessed openings in the fascia and each track has an LED power-on indicator. The switches were recycled from my previous DC layout.

The most exciting part of this task was spending several hours over a week to try to get an AR-1 auto-reverser to work consistently in the situation on my layout.  I spoke to the manufacturer a couple of times and they were very helpful with some tech guidance. I even used the tips that I saw on one of Fishplate Films and it certainly did improve the operation of the AR-1.  However, I could not seem to get it work consistently when running a consist of two engines no matter how many adjustments were made to the trip voltage.  This was of great concern as I plan on having four powered engines leading my named ATSF trains such as the Super Chief, Chief, etc. The AR-1 worked great for every single engine that I ran through the reversing section.  But since I planned on having multiple engines pulling my trains  I made the decision to purchase and install a PSX-AR (I already have the PSX circuit breakers in use). Simple installation and it works great and it is silent, i.e., no clicking of relays.  The engines don’t even notice anything happening when going into and out of the 12 foot long reversing section. 

The following videos show some of the testing that I did running trains from Staging Yard “A” eastbound to the small Ready Tracks East holding yard that sits below the entrance and exit from the double track helix.  Approximately 50% of the staging level is now wired and working.

The first video is of an ATSF freight train led by an Atlas H16-44.  The train will run from Staging Yard "A" through a reversing section to Ready Tracks East (3 tracks) which is the small yard at the base of the helix on the east end of the layout.  I will have to apologize in advance for some of the shakiness in the videos as they were made using my phone's camera while trying to control the train and moving around stuff on the floor and in the aisles while the layout is under construction.

The second video shows a pair of N-scale Lifelike E8As pulling a short Missouri Pacific passenger train. Note the NYCRR Business Car "Gotham" on the tail of the train.  Nothing really exciting happening other than the two engine consist rolls through the reversing section controlled by the PSX-AR like it wasn't even there. That was a big difference from the previously installed AR-1.
 

The last video shows an N-scale Walthers ATSF DL-109 pulling a short passenger train on track # 6.  Note that the Kato CB&Q "Silver Streak" set is on track #7.  The only exciting thing that happens is the derailing of the observation car on the rear of the ATSF train.  I'll have to check the wheels on that Con-Cor passenger car.

The next task is to start working on the wiring for Staging Yard "B" (10 tracks with SPDT cutoff switches and LED power-on indicators) which is seen in the beginning and end of the third video.  I expect that it will take about 2-3 weeks to finish and then I will have to do some additional testing.

 
The second task after Yard "B" is to wire the Ready Tracks West Yard (3 tracks with SPDT cutoff switches and LED power-on indicators) and re-install the Blue Point Manual turnout controls.  There are 6 turnouts that have to be controlled by something other than a finger since they are beyond physical reach especially when the staging level is covered by the main level.  The Blue Point turnout controllers have a DPDT switch built-in that will allow me to use an LED to show the position of the turnout (a picture of the turnout controller with the wiring was shown in my previous blog in April).  Additionally, after exiting the down track from the helix, trains will enter an 11 foot reversing section prior to entering Staging Yard ”B”.  Based upon my experience to date, I will definitely use another PSX-AR for that reversing section.

In case anyone is interested, my YouTube channel is:

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6FVqBH1WfyZSAx6-AM5doQ

More to come in June, I hope.