December 17
"...In the celebratory spirit of the season, this afternoon, work crews finished installing the last bridle on the three-way switch into the engine storage facility at Blackhawk. Weather permitting, the yard harp stands should be installed by Christmas..."
In other words, track construction of the B&CC nears completion - all paddle switches are in and throws tested (and I've got a few extra lengths of 1mm piano wire left over). No photographs of the event, but it leaves making electrical connections to the new switches as the last step of pure track construction, which I hope to complete before the new year is upon us.
After that, it's a matter of fascia and pull rods. I've been trying to decide between using throttle cables or using wooden rods to provide the mechanical connection from the pull knobs to the paddle switches and I'm interesting in hearing folks' experience with either. I've also been thinking about how to handle the three-ways that I have and I'm leaning towards using a Forstner bit to recess the knob for a three way so that when in the straight position, the knob is flush with the fascia and you push it in to the fascia for one diverting position and pull it for the other. Again, I'd like to hear folks experience with this type of arrangement.
The sample PSC saddles showed up last Saturday so I trooped over to my LHS and tried fitting them to my smoke box front. I found a match I'm happy with and ordered six more, which (of course) are now on backorder. Oh well, I still have several things to get back to on engine construction before the lack of those pieces becomes a critical path issue.
I just want to finish by wishing all the best of the season and to say thanks for reading my ramblings, answering my questions and piping up with words of encouragement. This journey has been a long strange trip, but it's certainly been (and promises to continue to be) fun...
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