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March '12
This page describes work accomplished on the new TMRC layout during the month of March 2012, as taken from the descriptions posted to the club mailing list.
March 3

Very little happened tonight. Here is Eliza's TV truck with a functional electronic package.

You can see it in action at our Youtube page


March 7

Full moon over the biotech labs.
We are experimenting with static grass, using a converted electric fly-swatter purchased for a grand 3 dollars, and a tea strainer.
The strainer has had its handle shortened, and it's attached to a block of wood which can be locked into the fly-swatter.
The first experimental grass patch.
Is this stuff standing up?


March 14

At long last, the batteries in the door lock died. A dismantling was necessary.
Experienced operatives performed the task, and the reassembly. No leftover parts were found.
The first servo has been connected to a turnout in the helix Section 14 area.


March 21

Mike worked on the new upper level structure (here seeming a little exhausted).
Slotted angle girder at its final height, but maybe needing to be pushed out further.
The mockup Section 15, with a new bracket in sturdy plywood in front of it.
The second and third servos are now connected to turnouts in the helix Section 14 area. Because the throwbars are almost in line, the servos are mounted in a "one up one down" arrangement. Note that one long wire is routed through tubing to prevent buckling.
Another view of the mounting of the servos.


March 28

Mike and his dad installed a second Unistrut-Dexion support for the upper level.
John P mounted a fourth servo for controlling turnouts on Section 14. It's combined with an attachment point for threaded rod support.


March 31

We got the two steel supports set to the correct height and extension, and we put a large piece of cardboard across them as a mockup of the first level section of Level 2. This is where Bill is planning a paper mill. He laid out the proposed tracks on the cardboard.
The predictable problem caused by the upper level (even if it's only made of cardboard) is that it shades the lower level pretty badly.
David Lambeth's LED rope light helped, but we need more. A discussion of under-deck lighting took place.
Mike mounted the next two Unistrut sections, in this case both on the same 2x4 post.
Section 15, formerly made of foam-core board, was remade in plywood. Tracks have been drawn in to connect with the paper mill area.
It's a large irregular shape, and cutting it made a lot of dust.



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Tech Model Railroad Club of MIT
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265 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139

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Email: tmrc-web@mit.edu