Status Report 2

Last week the switch next to the tunnel was temporarily installed. The first photo is taken during the mounting of the switch motor. The next one shows the mounted switch, with an TRIX 24050 cleaning car testing the track. On the old track, the mobile cleaning pads fitted on this car would snag at rail joints, causing it to derail or jump off the track. Yet another reason for the complete migration to the Tillig track. Part of the plywood used to hold the switch motor together with the ballast piece is visible on the second photo, right next to the wires feeding the switch. One of the tunnel portals will be placed right next to the end of this switch. Also visible is the Viessmann transformer used to test the switch, and next to it the Lenz LZV100 command station, used for testing the performance of the Lenz BR 66 through the switch. It worked almost flawlessly, except for a small bump in the center wheels on the right spur, and some loss of electrical contact possibly due to the polarization of the frog, for which I didn't find time just yet.

Today work was done for the first switch in the pair of switches that will be located next to the station. The hole was carved since last week, and now the small pieces of foam 13 mm thick, that will be mounted on the same location as the old foam squares, were glued to the corresponding ramp segment for this switch. On top of this another 30 mm foam block will be added, and finally, the switch ballast piece will rest on all of this. Also the plywood for this switch was glued to the ballast piece. The last photo shows work on this switch, and next to it, the ballast for the second switch of the pair is placed for markings.