The layout will controlled by a dispatcher using a CTC
machine. The CTC will be interfaced with a PC using DCC by NCE and C/MRI from
Bruce Chubb. I have also started building the benchwork
on the back (bottom) wall, the Gary,
IN peninsular, and on the front
(top) wall (above the Bookcases). In the Randolph
Station in downtown Chicago
there are a few more tracks to install and two turnouts and the station area
tracks will be completed. Then comes installation of
switch machines to control the turnouts, glue to hold the tracks in place, and
finally ballast and weathering to complete the tracks in this area. Of course
there is 40 or 50 feet of building representing
downtown Chicago
to build or at least build mockups of the buildings, 100s of feet of overhead
towers and wire to hang, station platforms to build, trees, people, and wiring
for all this. Then there remains another 400 or 500 feet of tracks, buildings,
and scenery before the tracks reachSouthBend, IN. WOW...someday.