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Plate 262: A computer track diagram based upon a survey
(This plate added NOV 2003)

All of the point motors have now been permanently wired, a power-distribution center has been established, and a new power-and-control center is in the advanced planning stage. It appears to be time to lay down more track. However, before ordering new track sections and point-motors in accordance with the latest track plan (see Plate 129), it is important that we do a survey of both the layout and the supply of spare parts.

--more--

Using the HVR2 software planning tool, we create a track diagram that shows exactly what track sections are currently in the layout. We then double-check the diagram against the actual layout (observe the check marks alongside the track sections in the accompanying diagram ). When we are certain that the diagram is a correct representation of the layout, we collect all the track sections that have not yet been installed, and we write down their part numbers and quantities in the margin of the diagram.

Do we now go ahead and order some more track? No, we do not!. What we do now is withdraw from the layout and sit down to "think things over". First, we look at the current track track plan (Plate 129, which is already over a month old) and ask ourselves: "Is this really what we want the tracks to look like?".

In the month that has passed since we created the current plan, we have been studying books on railways and canals, we have been collecting new reference material from the Internet, and we have been thoughtfully watching our favorite old train movies and seeing things we didn't see before.

A month is a long time when one is deeply involved in a creative project. Last month's ideas and plans have become a little bit stale. In the words of the designer:

"When we are possessed by our Muse, we must be ready to cast away the straitjacket of yesterday's finest ideas and plunge forward to new horizons of creativity".

Or, as our builder puts it:

"Hey this old track plan stinks! Let's change it!".

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