UPDATED on 13 May:  A couple of months ago I started to integrate the first spline helix (described in my previous blog entries) into the hidden staging level of the layout.  After a couple of weeks, I was ready to continue building the center peninsula from the first 8 foot section that I had finished out to its full length of 18 1/2 feet.  It was then that I realized that if I did that, then I wouldn't have any room to build the second spline helix.  Thus I stopped what I was doing and started on the second helix.

I've been wanting to try a Homosote spline roadbed but my sectional approach has led me to try making my own roadbed. A 4x8 sheet of "sound deadening board" costs about $20 from the lumberyard so I wasn't in the mood to cut it to match my plywood sub-roadbed for fear of too much waste. Using 1/2 board cut into 1-1/2" strips seemed flexible enough to use like giant cork pieces but with enough profile to look right under my On30 trains. Center-to-center is from 2-3/4" to 3" (or more) so two pieces under the ties with similar strips cut with a sloping edge works out pretty nice.

   I would like to get a few Atlas #7 switches to speed up construction of my layout but they are still out of stock everywhere I've looked.   With the continuing shortage of Atlas switches I'm wondering how the alternatives stack up? Anyone using Micro Engineering code 55 #6 switches and able to give a short review of them?  ......DaveBranum

Tonight was a Posse night for Pembroke. We managed to finish the roadbed on the north section of the layout before running out of glue. Nearing the end of heavy construction, it was hard to contain my excitement. So I got out a couple of test cars and posed them on some flex track.