Entering into 2020. No major changes on the layout for years. Most of the time was spend DCC and sound installations and an occasional train operation.

Then the COVID-19 and Shelter in place started in the spring of 2020. Inspired by what I saw on Facebook from the Allagash Railway and others I started to run more trains. This video captures train 351 as it would be in 1989, a direct train from Oslo arrives and the locomotive can switched out for a Di3.

As I started to run more trains I saw a few issues with the layout. Some were just maintenance related and were easily addressed. Others were more interesting, for example the lack of the ability to store locmotive power at the Trondheim staging yard. I also was looking for some additional car storage and switch opportunities in the lower deck.

As I started to look at how to solve these issues, I started to look at what track work I had in stock. A long while ago I bought a few of the Roco Line starter kits (kit B, C & D). I have used part of these sets for a simple test circle with passing track in our storage area. But with the remaining items I was able to a create a small passing siding and storage tracks. I put these under the Dombås modules when you get out of the helix, on the way to the Oslo staging area. This area is highlighted in the picture in orange. This will allow for some additional car switching between the existing Oslo staging and this new area. At the moment of writing it doesn't have a 'name' yet.

The Trondheim staging issue can easily be solved by adding one more connecting ability between tracks 1 and 2. I ordered two Roco Wl15 for this specifically.

The Trondheim stagning area, at least the first part of it, is one of the oldest part of the overall layout. This was constructed back in the Netherlands and in the original layout concept was part of some small staging yard called 'Skeievoll'. After the two switches arrived I put them down on the existing track to get an idea of the overall look and feel.

Removing the old track was hard because it contained some old attemps at ballasting. I decided to completely cut out the cork with the old ballast and replace it with new cork. That allowed for easy installation of the new switches. They are powered by Tortoise switch motors.

One of the maintenance headaches are the old Fulgurex switch motors. As I mentioned this staging area is one of the oldest parts of the layout and still contain two Fulgurex switch motors. I had used four of them in this staging area when I built it. Two were replaced when I restructured this when putting the layout in place in San Jose (see history part 5). But two were remaining. One is working fine and I will keep it for now, the other one was not working reliable anymore. It has now been replaced by a Tortoise.

Entering the last week of 2020. During some train running with my daughter I noticed the very awkward moves we have to do in the Åndalsnes staging area.

I found two Roco Wr15 from the old layout (in Lisle) and was able to create another switch set from the two staging tracks. Now there is a clear move from the turn table.