We have a modular layout at our club that we are about to set up with occupancy detection and signalling. The DCC setup is all Digitrax with BDL 168s for occupancy and SE8s and Tortoise point motors.  We have no issue with setting everything up on all the main modules.  However, at each end of the layout we have 60" long staging modules. 

It's been ages since I updated my blog, but I did a quick update with just a few photos of recent work.  Details and lots of photos here:

http://rgsrr.blogspot.com/2015/06/some-progress-on-yards-turntable.html

I have a friend who has passed away, and I am helping his widow dismantle and sell off his model railroad collection.  I would like to salvage the track however half of it has ballast installed.  I have no idea what he used to glue it down.  Though from what I remember, it was glued back in the mid 1980s, so I presume it would either be matte medium or diluted white glue.  Does anyone have a "magic potion" to break down the ballast so i can remove the track safely without damaging it? 

Thanks.

Ken L.

I've just started hand laying my track and that's going ok. I mentioned in my blog that I had wired feeder wires to the rail joiners when I laid my rail. It was recommended that I not do this and solder directly to the rails.

Now, my question is: How exactly should to solder to the rails? Before I spike them in place? How do I get the solder joint to fall between two ties? After everything is spiked in place? Some where in between?

No hurry, the glue is still drying on the ties.