Layout Progress Update

After finishing the track painting task, my intentions were to begin working on the scenery aspect of the railroad.  While I have started to look at what I am going to do in different areas of the railroad, I have also been making some progress in another area of the hobby.  I have been working on the components that will be attached to the fascia of the railroad.  These items are largely informational for the operator as he/she operates over the Dragonfly Sub.  The items I have decided (as of right now) to include on the fascia are the following:

1. Walk-around throttle plug-ins (Lenz DCC system).  I have 5 panels positioned around the railroad that will accommodate all the operating schemes.  Each panel will accept 2 throttles.  Adjacent to each throttle panel is a Velcro pad that will allow throttles to be stored.
2. Car card and waybill boxes.  These are a vital part to the car forwarding/movement system of the railroad.  Each car on the railroad has an associated car card that is used to hold a waybill.  The waybill directs the railroad crews where the car goes on the layout.  Each industry, the staging yard track, and yard track will have a dedicated "slot" for car cards.  More discussion on car cards and waybills in later posts.
3. Town names with railroad milepost locations.  This is part of the illusion of model railroading.  The illusion is representing 46.9 miles of railroad in a 11'x15' space.  Instead of referring to a section of track as "over there in the corner," refer to it as "a section of track between MP (milepost) 39.5 to 39.9."  This gives a whole new level of realism to the railroad.  It is an actual location within a larger system.  
4. Another component that I am installing on the fascia at each town is a track diagram for the town.  It is basically a blow up of the CAD line drawing I developed when designing the railroad.  Again, more information for the operator.  The track diagram shows the mainline, sidings, industrial spurs, and in some cases other railroads (like at Walnut- C.&N.W. R.R.). 

All signs/diagrams are generated on the computer and laminated for durability.  I have begun the process of "decorating the fascia" but have not completed it.  When I have a finished product that I am happy with, I will post some pictures.  Be sure to stop back and check for updates.

Happy Railroading!
Scott