Progress hasbeen moving along steadily since the last update with new electronics and benchwork being added to the layout. I'll add some new photos tomorrow.

Wiring for the layout has progressed steadily with the addition of three Digitrax BDL168's. BDL168's currently provide 48 feedback blocks to allow the TrainController software monitor the blocks so that trains and signals and be run realisticly. The blocks also allow me to use JMRI for speed matching of locomotives. Each BDL168's 16 detection zones are wired to the blocks using Cat7 wire allowing for easy zone identification if troubleshooting is needed.

Digitrax SE8C signal boards have been ordered and are enroute so that they can start to be installed at the interlockings. On average one SE8C will signal one complete interlocking using triple target searchlight signals. CP/CN prototype triple target searchlight signals from Scale Model Division are a very close match to B&M/MEC style signals and I have purchased one to test on the layout to see how how they will work out. The triple target searchlight signals will be used for lineside and bridge signals. The bridge signals will be mounted on BLMA brass signal bridges.

Benchwork, other than the staging yard, is now 100% complete. This past weekend the benchwork and subroadbed for Meredith Yard was completed and just awaits a restocking of Atlas code 55 flex track. The next track order this month will at least purchase the needed turnouts that will complete the yard and mainline on the entire layout. Until that time, I will attempt to complete the staging yard, and have decided to use C80 for speed and availability. The dispatch and office portion of the layout room is also "scheduled" to be completed in the next month or so. Moving my computers down into the new office will be of great relief to my wife as she can get her scrapbooking room back.

After having some concerns that a Northeastern city of this size was missing something, I came to the conclusion that it was missing a rapid transit element. While Union Station would be served by Amtrak and MBTA, I felt that a subway aspect, such as the Blue/Red/Orange lines in Boston, or even a light rail option using the new Kato light rail cars such as the Green line in Boston, would work out well. I drew up a quick sketch of a double track rapid transit line that served 1/2 of the layout via above ground or "subway" trackage, and determined on paper at least that it worked out well. The TrainControler software will control the trains on what basically is a self contained giant loop. I found a close to Boston matching Kato Japanese style 3-7 car interurban sets will be used for the trains. I figure 3-4 sets should provide ample visual traffic, as the it is purely for background traffic and not operator controlled.

I have also begun acquiring Athearn Bombardier commuter cars to use as stand in's for MBTA K-Cars as there is a lacking option for modern commuter cars in N. I have seen the Island Model Works MBTA K-cars and Comet cars, but heard they are in need of work to produce acceptable models at this point. So, until that time comes, I've been stripping the Athearn cars, airbrushing them in ModelFlex Platinum Mist and will decal them up with IMW's K-Car decals While the K Cars are have high level platform vestibules, and the Athearn cars have low center doors,  I think the compromise for now is acceptable. Surface mount LED's will be added to the decoders in the cab cars to provide marker lights and headlights.

Scenery in the area of CP NOK has continued with the addition of city streets and sidewalks. As I continue to build structures to fill this area I will continue to build up the details that I have taken photos of in my research trips to "the big city." Several other Downtown Deco structures will be here this week to help start building up this urban area. Stark Mill continues to progress, with an additional Downtown Deco kit currently under construction to finish of the complex. You can follow along in the "Textile Mills" modeling section of the site.

You may also have noticed that I am releasing two custom run ESM gondolas for Conrail and New England Southern. Bryan at ESM has graciously allowed me to bring these very limited run high quality cars to N scalers. If you have not seen his cars in person, you should, they are simply beautiful. The Conrail car is a former PC yellow MOW car with black paintouts. The gons were generally rebuilt into Panel Track service for CR and very few lasted into CR in yellow paint. In fact I have only seen 2 photos of them in yellow. The New England Southern car are general service cars that would have been used for scrap and possibly even telephone pole service. At the end of their life they would have been placed in to MOW service, and most being beat to crap with some good sized holes! We are so frugal at NEGS.