The Transcontinental PRR

[eric220]

EW....  too much typing.... JFRT man!

Taking that advice tonight. I'm pressing my luck and seeing how it holds. Second time in a row I've powered up the layout and the Pi did what it's supposed to without objection.

It's really nice to just have a couple of trains running laps. So far the layout is behaving itself.

[eric220]

Spent some time JFRT tonight. The Pi cooperated, and I had fun running laps with two trains.



I also got my new DCC equipped MRC 4-4-0. I hooked up my Strasburg cars and had a "happy place" moment, despite the crappy MRC sound system.

[Lemosteam]

Eric, what is that gap under the smokestack on the 4-4-0 (I can't call it a D16 without a Belpaire)?  Yikes!

[chicken45]

Eric, what is that gap under the smokestack on the 4-4-0 (I can't call it a D16 without a Belpaire)?  Yikes!

Sounds like Keystone Details just volunteered to make drop on Belpaires!

[chicken45]

I'm really beginning to think that beating this piece of $#!T RaspberryPi into dust is worth what I paid for it.  I can't get it to reliably recognize the USB ports.  Most of the time JMRI can't find the USB port at all, and occasionally (even after a clean reinstall) a phantom instance of JMRI launches, blocking the USB port.  That old Mac Mini in the closet is starting to look better and better as a replacement.

So, I had this issue with my PR3 and my windows laptop. It's since been Ubuntu'd so we will see what happens when I get JMRI back and running.

[seusscaboose]

Spent some time JFRT tonight. The Pi cooperated, and I had fun running laps with two trains.

this is good to hear!

how's the layout holding up?

[eric220]

The layout performed flawlessly after being down for over a month. Well, the command station threw a little temper tantrum while booting up, but that resolved itself after a minute, and off it went!

[Dave V]

Eric, I'm still having cognitive dissonance with that train...  To get my Strasburg on I'd need it to be fully pinstriped and hauling candy-apple red and schoolbus-yellow coaches like the real 1223 did before she was pulled from service in 1989.  The paint scheme on those coaches, while by far my favorite of all the colors the Strasburg has used, is too steeped in the post-1223 & 7002 era for me.  Those coaches cry out instead for a 2-6-0 bashed to look like SRR #89, given that an RTR Mastodon or Decapod seem like a pipe dream in N.

Could 3-D printing save that 4-4-0?  I know the cast metal boiler is allegedly integral to the pulling power, but these 4-4-0s weren't exactly heavy haulers in their day.  What's the traction tire situation?  In my humble opinion, the D16sb was the nicest looking engine ever produced by Juniata Shops (yes, prettier IMHO than an E7 or even a K4) and that MP engine is just close enough to make me frustrated.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Eric, I'm still having cognitive dissonance with that train...  To get my Strasburg on I'd need it to be fully pinstriped and hauling candy-apple red and schoolbus-yellow coaches like the real 1223 did before she was pulled from service in 1989.  The paint scheme on those coaches, while by far my favorite of all the colors the Strasburg has used, is too steeped in the post-1223 & 7002 era for me.  Those coaches cry out instead for a 2-6-0 bashed to look like SRR #89, given that an RTR Mastodon or Decapod seem like a pipe dream in N.

Could 3-D printing save that 4-4-0?  I know the cast metal boiler is allegedly integral to the pulling power, but these 4-4-0s weren't exactly heavy haulers in their day.  What's the traction tire situation?  In my humble opinion, the D16sb was the nicest looking engine ever produced by Juniata Shops (yes, prettier IMHO than an E7 or even a K4) and that MP engine is just close enough to make me frustrated.

Jeez Dr. Hotballz! Let the man have his moment! lol.

But seriously, I'd LOVE to have some more Strasburg stuff in N.

90 needs company!

[eric220]

Let's move the 4-4-0 discussion over to where it belongs.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40860.msg507989#new

[chicken45]

What's this about Dr. Saltballs now?

[Dave V]

What's this about Dr. Saltballs now?

You hush up now.

[eric220]

Well, since Photobucket decided a few days ago to take all my photos hostage for the ransom of $400 per year, efectively destroying this thread, now seems as good a time as any to fess up. The Transcontinental PRR is coming down. I'm switching to HO for all the incredible PRR prototype models that are available.



Just kidding, well about the switch to HO anyway. Our house is getting prepped for sale, and part of that is going to involve cleaning out the basement. I'm going to salvage as much as I can, and I'm pretty optimistic about how much I'll be able to take with me. One of our requirements in finding a new place is to find a suitable location for a decent sized Transcontinental PRR 2.0. Back to the old drawing board, as it were! I just need to determine what size and shape space I'll have to work with. I'm thinking that space is probably going to take the form of an out-building of some kind. Won't hurt my feelings to get the odors and noise into a different structure. That would also open up the possibility of open houses without having to trudge people through the house.

I'll post some photos from the deconstruction as it progresses, but for now, here's the last versions of the plans before being abandoned. The upper level trackage was finished except for the coach yard and engine terminal. Altoona was the only part of the lower level to be built.

Upper level:


Lower level:

[MVW]

Whoa! That's a huge kick in the head. Here's hoping the transition goes smoothly. It's always exciting to start over again, but it sucks to see a layout come to an end before its time.

Jim

[eric220]

That layout and the space I had to build it is the only reason we didn't move sooner. It was a major mental hurdle to get over, but it's time to upgrade our overall living conditions. I learned a lot from building the layout, and I'm confident the next one will be (operationally at least) a lot better.