Last night I put the track together, added the switch tracks and got it all working. Some of this stuff is really sophisticated for being how old it is. Basically, I don't have to control both track switches, just the one. The other "detects" where the train is coming from, and automatically switches to accept the train as it approaches. However, if I wanted to back the train into the sub-loop I would have to be able to control both of the switches. We'll see, I think I'll just work with the one for now.
Anyway, last night I decided to not fully build up the mountain. Partially due to not really understanding the directions, and partially from lack of time/workspace. This thing takes up a LOT of room, and is hard to work around.
So, I fastened (after searching forever for the tacks) the track through the tunnel area, then tacked the tunnel pieces in place (though not very well, but they will stay). Then took the track appart and started laying down the cotton "snow." Then found that the one sheet of cotton has holes in it for the strips of lights. So, I pulled them out ad plugged them in to see if I could figure things out a little. Though at this point I lost motivation for the evening. But the lights did come on, or, at least half of them did.
I'll have to take a closer picture of the control box for the lights, and then you might see why I lost motivation. Basically it is 4 rows of 7 columns of push button switches, which turn on and off different sections of lights. So, I need to figure out which switches control which lights, and for the switches that seem to not control anything, if it is due to "pea lights" being out, or what is going on. But that is for another evening (ie tonight if Karissa is content watching daddy work and not wanting to be held)
Also, as I was looking for the track tacks I went through just about every box. Noticed (unless they are burried under the houses) that I don't have any of the cars, and didn't notice any people.
Do have quite a few Lionel pieces that I should inventory and take pictures of to share here. I'm not sure I'll use all of them, As I'm not sure where I will put all the bits.
Oh, well, enough for now. I'll hopefully get a chance to get things moved further along tonight..
Amos
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