James Radkey – BNSF Pink Lady
Description
The actual BNSF PLSD is HO scale and occupies a 21 by 25 foot California basement (a garage) and was designed with operations in mind. The track work is code 83 flex track laid on cork, pink foam and plywood. The layout is controlled by NCE/System One DCC and wireless throttles. There are 5 decks, (3 are staging) of track work that flows around the room in what John Armstrong refers to as a, spiral peninsula scheme. The track work starts and ends in big looped staging areas. The mainline run is about 300 ft., with 3 long double track/passing sidings, a ten track yard, a two turn helix, and a branch line. This includes 4 towns with 39 industries; including the Pink Lady Mine, 2 grain elevators, 4 large industries and numerous small industries.
The layout electrical system is divided into 5 blocks has power shield protection and automatic reverse loops. Mainline minimums include: #6 or greater turnouts, 2.0 % or less grades, 30 inch or greater radius curves. The turnouts are controlled by Tortoise switch machines and MRCS MP1s. 100% of the mainline is laid with the engine facility being the only track work left to be laid. Currently the layout has about 20 percent of the scenery in place. I am using Bragdon Rocks for the mountain scenery and various structures for modern industries.
Scale: HO
Era: 1980-2000
Approximate Size: 21 x 25 feet – 575 Sq. Ft.
Percent Complete Benchwork-100% Trackwork-100% Scenery-80% Signaling-100%
Location: Albany
Access: No Access Issues
Parking: Street Parking
