I have installed the upper level against the back wall. This will have track and buildings for the spur. It's 1" pink foam board + 2 layers of foam core board, so it's just shy of 1.5" above the main level. I needed the 2 foam core layers to get the height for a vehicle underpass.
This is the grade going up to meet the bridge. It's just over a 2% grade, but half of it is on a curve so it'll take a bit more pulling power than a regular 2%. Instead of foam risers I wanted to try something different. I didnt glue the pink board to the base where I knew the track would be going up the grade. I cut down into the pink board at an angle on both sides so I could lift out from the high end of the grade, then just skewered and glued it into place.
It's sturdy and has a very smooth transition from the base level where it starts at the curve, all the way to the high point where it meets the bridge.
The upper spur bridge and the main line bridge. The mainline bridge is a bit low, but I hesitated on cutting out the particle board base as I didn't want to weaken the area.
A view of the two bridges. The storage silos are on the upper spur and the mainline runs on the lower level past buildings and crosses at a road that goes under the second spur bridge.
The spur bridge in place with some buildings.
I carved some rock faces from pink foam. I may use them, but while they are passable for my miniature wargaming, I'm not sure I like them for the model railroad. I have other options as far as carved plaster, plaster molds, etc.
I installed a switch control for the single mainline switch. It goes to a small siding, mainly for staging a locomotive. The switch powers the frog, and I left it as a hand throw since it is on the edge, and in the middle of the layout. The majority of the switches will be on the upper level and will be pushrod activated.
I made a mockup of a Baldwin Westinghouse switcher from plans I found online. I would still like to have a go at making at least one traction line loco for the spur.
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