Projects Underway onThe Suncoast Model Railroad Club

HO Layout Projects and Progress

N-Scale Layout Projects & Progress

New projects are cropping up everywhere on both the N-Scale and HO Gauge layouts. This seems to be a period of exciting growth, development and rebuilding that is tapping the talent of veteran and new members alike.

If you're looking for a project, get with your layout superintendent, and get approval for your ideas and concepts, then get to work!

Carl Marchand , HO Layout Superintendent
Home: (813) 889-3819

Bill Knapp, N Superintendent
Home: (813) 839-1149

We'll try to stay current in this section with the progress and include pictures whenever we can.

HO Layout Projects and Progress

Update: 05-01-10

Major work was completed on the Gulf and Northern RR over the last 12 months involving the topside (track and scenery) and the underworld (wiring and electronics). Some of the projects completed:

Bi-directional access to industries behind Sugar Creek Station was installed by Irv Batten and Dewey Ives.
The mainline was extended by "splicing in" the outer loop via the viaduct beneath Union Terminal and by way of the refurbished wye at Miner Junction. Long standing club members have not seen the Miner Junction wye operational in over 10 years !
Alcoa Yard, Alcoa Staging and the Outside Loop were added to the list of divisions power by separate current limiting devices.
50 percent of the mainline turnouts and all of the turnouts in Union Terminal and Kaiser Yard are on stationary decoder control
Conversion from common rail to fully double-gapped power districts is nearly complete.
New power poles and power distribution devices were installed in various locations, adding more realism and aesthetics.
Alcoa division's ongoing upgrade of turnout hand throws to power-routed types is nicely handled by John Moonan.

Many thanks to Steve and Andrea Pospisil, Cliff Newman, Bill Eernisse, Irv Batten, Dewey Ives, John Moonan and others who worked on the projects!

N-Scale Layout Projects and Progress

Update: 05-01-10

Operation of the layout has improved tremendously with the repair of most of the electrical problems that plagued the layout. In addition, older non-operating areas of trackwork are currently being upgraded to operation status. many older turnouts will be replaced with Micro-Engineering units.
A new turnout is to be installed on the mainline at Colfax to connect with the drill tracks at Alton Yard to allow for direct entry to the yard from the mainline.
DCC is now the primary choice for operation on the Suncoast Lines. DC operation will remain an operating option (photos coming soon).
Many scenery improvements were made by the N-Scale Scene Team.
Mainline running was made easier with the installation of "smart routing" stationary decoder/turnout control units a.k.a Wabbit devices in critical locations on the layout.
The downtown trolley system was restored to full operation
A plexiglass open house shield was installed to protect the layout from tiny curious hands.

Many thanks to Nate Whitney, Ed Ronshausen, Bill Knapp, Les Lagueux, Jon Addison, Steve Kibort, and others who worked on the projects!

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