More on phase 1: At this point (October 2004), I have gotten a good start with the installation of the catenary overhead wiring. This will not be electrified, but the pantographs will touch the contact wire. I made the choice not to draw power from the catenary since I'm planning to use Digital Command and Control (DCC). A little over one quarter of the catenary has been installed. The fascia board has been installed so the layout now looks a bit more finished, although there is still a long way to go. All the under-the-table wiring is completed including LED indicators for the turnout directions. Since I'm planning on using DCC, I have wired with that in mind. About a quarter of the track has been weathered and ballasted.

In November 2004, I was able to acquire two new Re 460 locomotives from an estate sale. The models were manufactured by Roco, and are as quiet and smooth as you could imagine. They are a welcome addition to the layout. Almost all phase 1 track has been weathered and ballasted.

Bahn 2000 passenger train leaving Zürich HB
Passenger train leaving Zürich HB (October 10, 2004)

Bahn 2000 passenger train leaving Zürich HB
Passenger train leaving Zürich HB (October 10, 2004)

View of the train sheds of Zürich HB with Bahn 2000 and Re 460 loks
Two new loks on the right. Both are Re 460 models. The one on the right is in Western Union
advertizing paint scheme. (November 27, 2004)

Zurich HB train sheds
View through the train sheds of Zürich HB (October 10, 2004)

Zurich HB train sheds
View through the train sheds of Zürich HB (October 10, 2004)
 
manual turnout controls with rount LED indicators
Turnout controls are small nobs which are linked by coat hanger wire to small DPDT slide switches. See below. One half of  the switch controls bicolor LED lights as seen above. If the light is green, the switch is set for travel on that route. A red light indicates the turnout is thrown agains the route.

manual turnout contol under table
The DPDT switches above are connected by coat hanger wire to the small knobs on the other side of the fascia. One half of the switch powers the LED display on the fascia as seen in the previous photo. The other half provides power of the correct polarity to the frog of the turnout. There is a stiff wire from a large paperclip that links the black switch slider to the throwbar of the turnout above it. When the knob on the fascia is pulled or pushed, the turnout route is changed, and electrical power and indicator LEDs are set.