DuBach track work complete.

All of the tracks are laid in DuBach, the only thing left to do is to drop the feeders and connect them to the bus.

The spur tracks are just tacked in place for now, this way I can easily adjust them as the industries get built and installed in case I need to move them to fit.  This will also allow me to work on the operations to make sure that things will work the way I'd like them to.  If not I can easily make adjustments.

North DuBach

South DuBach

 

Progress in DuBach

It's been a few weeks but I finally got around to the track work in DuBach.

While there isn't much difference on the location of the tracks, I did move them away from the backdrop to allow for the new industry: Cajun Hydraulics.  This created a subtle sway in the tracks just enough to  reduce the long tangent I had before.

As before, the main track will be closest to the backdrop, this allows for a larger radius track and it also keeps one from reaching over the train while uncoupling. 

Starting at South DuBach, the mains sway away from the backdrop enough to allow space for Cajun Hydraulics.  The spur in front with only cork will be for A&A Cement.

The tracks are not too far from where they were before.  The radius has been reduced down from 28" to 24" on the main line.

Still working on the North end.  Where the new turnouts are is where Piggly Wiggly will still be, but moved just a tad, the spurs in front will be for ARKLA Plastics and the new Bayou GenTech track with a transfer crane.

My long‑awaited DuBach re‑do has begun

The long‑awaited re‑do of DuBach is officially underway, and today marked the first real step into this next chapter. I focused on the stretch from the bog heading north, through the curve that leads into the south end of El Dorado. It’s a satisfying way to kick things off—if also a little destructive. There’s something about ripping out old track that feels like a true point of no return, the moment when the commitment becomes real.

Back on November 10th, 2025, I said it was time to completely rebuild DuBach. Now that the work has started, that decision feels even more justified. This will be the third—and hopefully final—time this section gets a full overhaul. After operating the layout many times over several years, you learn what works, what doesn’t, and what quietly drives you crazy every session. Things evolve. Ideas mature. Standards rise.

This redo will be my chance to get it right, third times a charms, right? With the old track now pulled up, there’s no turning back. And honestly, that feels pretty great.

Not more than a few hours after the last bit of track was ripped up, I got an email. Every year, the local train show rolls into town like clockwork - a weekend of diesel fumes, nostalgia, and more N‑scale temptation than my wallet can reasonably withstand. But this year, the show comes with a twist. When it arrives a small crowd of friends who’ve all said the same fateful words:

“Hey, while we’re in town, we’d love to operate your layout.”

And just like that, the sword was hung over my head.

A small change at El Dorado

I haven't been doing a lot to the layout since November, Several things have been in the works: the building of Cajun Hydraulics, planning an op session to see if I can have both locals working on the layout at the same time, playing with the 3D printer, planning the complete redo of Dubach and getting supplies for that.

About four years ago I tore up El Dorado completely and removed the small mid yard.  It's been working great with the change, however Quin had mentioned several times during recent sessions that adding a right handed crossover next the depot between the main and siding would make it a little easier for the SB local to work the Mill at El Dorado.

This weekend I decided to get those installed.  It took a few hours to get things gathered up, prep some used Peco C80 turnouts and then getting them installed.  Hardest of all was getting under the layout to get the wiring wrapped up.  

What this does for ops:

When the SB local arrives in El Dorado, it arrives on the main.  The first chore if needed is to work the house track, the second job is to the work the Mill.  In order to get to the mill, the crew needs to cut the cars from the consist and pull clear down to the south end of the El Dorado and make a reverse move clear up to the north of town.  Then it needs to make a couple of switchbacks to access the mill.

With the crossovers, the crew can just pull forward a bit, back through the crossover and they're pretty much right there by the mill.  It'll save a few minutes and distance.

Looking North towards the Mill:

Looking South: