For ease of installation and switch automation, Lionel Fastrack was selected. The track was procured and laid out based on the SCARM plans. The track was dry fit to make sure everything connected properly. After a train was able to successfully circumnavigate the town, the cave location, and the scenic flyover all the track was removed to prepare it for permanent installation on the layout.
The layout is split into seven (7) operating blocks to allow the conventional operation of up to three trains simultaneously. This will allow operators to demonstrate the Barco Mining Company hand carts that ran between 1885 and 1899, the Santa Fe passenger trains that visited Oasis Palms between 1897 and 1967, and the Oasis Palm Scenic Railroad that ran between 1952 and 1979.
The Fastrack was prepared for conventional block operation by removing the cross-over straps (to isolate the third rail) and removing select joiner pins in the center rails and isolation rails to allow for operations of the blocks and crossing and block signals. For long-term reliability, each piece of Fastrack was soldered together with jumper wires on the center rail and inner common rail to reliably deliver power to the trains. Power (yellow), common (white), isolation (green), and gate isolation (purple) rail drops were soldered to the back of the Fastrack every 18-24″ and fed through 1/4″ holes drilled in the foam deck.
The track was then weathered with a 10% flat black wash and had brown paint applied to “rust” the sides of the rails. To keep everything in place while wiring the underside of the layout, all the track was temporarily attached to the foam using 2″ long #8 screws. The deck was then turned on its side to facilitate wiring the electro-mechanical system consisting of seven (7) blocks with signals at each end, six (6) switches, and five (5) crossing gates.
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