Build Progress - 03/24

Continued with a few more items on the list in March.

• Kemira Junction loop extension was completed.

• I finished installing ground throws in Manildra Yard. My original plan was touch screens and servos, but I've opted instead for Caboose Industries ground throws. Whilst these are considered over scale, I like the idea of physically moving in a yard and throwing a switch, so have opted for them instead.
• At Nowra and Bomaderry where there are some interlocked points, I've gone for a bit of a hybrid approach. I've used Caboose Industries ground throws, but they are the ones with a switch integrated in them. Reason being, I can throw the turnout with a servo, and maintain a degree of electrical interlocking back to the lever frame. This gives the illusion of the frame controlling the release for the ground frames. The frame isn't in yet, so I've put a bit of placeholder logic in through ESPHome to throw the turnout.

I've also got plans for a touch screen staff machine. Early days, but its another idea in the backlog:

With all this work done I decided to fitout another train with resistor wheelsets. The intermodal train now is staged on the layout, and for its inaugural run it was shunted into the Manildra sidings using the newly acquired C44ACIs recently released by Auscision. Not prototype I know, but I just love the Crawfords paint scheme!

Pace has slowed a little in the first quarter of the year, but I am inching ever closer to completing trackwork. I suspect this will happen in April, time will tell!