Weekend Update 5/22/11

[jnevis]

So I got to thinking about Chuck's HCD shelving idea.  I had a couple old doors that I cut down the middle and mounted to the wall.  I'm going to add lighting, recessed into the upper door halves and wired to the front through the door knob holes.  I'm considering cut-outs under the lower sections for access to the wiring.

[inkaneer]

I used Rustoleum's epoxy system.  The version packaged for basements is a satin finish which is key.  They also have a package of anti-skid additive to add to the mix, which I used and I'm happy with.  It's fine enough to not feel like sandpaper and should be easy to clean still.  I decided not to use the multicolor paint chips that come with the kit since the speckles will just make it harder to find dropped N scale parts.

I'm sure there's others out there, and lashedup uses Florock which also comes in a matte finish.  But Florock is an industrial grade coating and I could pick up the Rustoleum at the local Menards.  

Just make sure you don't use a glossy epoxy, which most systems seem to be!

The big problem with either the satin finish or the glossy one is water.  The floor becomes super slick even with the abrasive.  Also, the abrasive tends to wear off leaving one without that minimal protection.  The floor will look great and  the epoxy will keep the concrete dust down and be easy to clean....just watch the water.

[Sokramiketes]

Mike - What a huge improvement.  Amazing what a few cans of paint will do to even a basement!  Are you thinking about a drop ceiling of some sort as well or is it benchwork time?

Mike

Definitely a drop ceiling.  The benchwork is all built, just needs to be bolted together in place.  I'll be installing Williamson Yard shortly, but also working on some electrical and piping in the ceiling so the drop ceiling can go up before too much is in the way. 

[sizemore]

Finally got the video up:

Sunday when I began the tests I was just playing around after installing the traction tire. I just kept adding, and adding. When I tried to capture the video on Sunday I kept getting snags -"broken knuckles" and string-lining due to the weight of the train and the compounded size of the curves in such a small space. It seems as the freight cars had stage fright every time I turned on the camera. But she kept pulling; I was thoroughly impressed. Monday I had the same issues, kinda weird it slipped a little which it didn't do on Sunday, but I eventually got a lap that didn't have issues.

I'd like to see her stretch her legs on a larger layout with broader curves and longer stretches but I won't scoff at a 53 car train. She's intended to get a brain transplant with sound, updated lighting (w/Gyra light) and properly painted as Ross Rolands #759 as it sat at Hagerstown roundhouse and running freight duty courtesy of George M. Leilich.

And the reason I couldnt put more cars behind it?


The S.

[Chris333]

So all you did was add a traction tire to the Berk?  I have one on mine, but I still haven't test ran it (been at least 2-3 years  :  )

[sizemore]

So all you did was add a traction tire to the Berk?  I have one on mine, but I still haven't test ran it (been at least 2-3 years  :  )

Yep, that's it, I was actually inspired by your Tungsten trickery to improve the performance. I don't have the cohones, nor skill to cut the frame and add tungsten like you have done, hence I put the TT on it. I want to put tungsten in the vacancy under the dome to give it some more "Ooomph". I figure if I can get 53 freight cars I can get 15 passenger cars behind her with no issues.

The S.

[wm3798]

Sizemore Said:  I'd like to see her stretch her legs on a larger layout with broader curves and longer stretches but I won't scoff at a 53 car train. She's intended to get a brain transplant with sound, updated lighting (w/Gyra light) and properly painted as Ross Rolands #759 as it sat at Hagerstown roundhouse and running freight duty courtesy of George M. Leilich.

I know of such a layout...

[sizemore]

Sizemore Said:  I'd like to see her stretch her legs on a larger layout with broader curves and longer stretches but I won't scoff at a 53 car train. She's intended to get a brain transplant with sound, updated lighting (w/Gyra light) and properly painted as Ross Rowlands #759 as it sat at Hagerstown roundhouse and running freight duty courtesy of George M. Leilich.

I know of such a layout...

Great minds think alike I'm working out the details on the brain transplant with the gyra-light right now, if nothing develops she'll get the green with "ought-ought" on the Western Lines.


The S.

[Chris333]

Yep, that's it, I was actually inspired by your Tungsten trickery to improve the performance. I don't have the cohones, nor skill to cut the frame and add tungsten like you have done, hence I put the TT on it. I want to put tungsten in the vacancy under the dome to give it some more "Ooomph". I figure if I can get 53 freight cars I can get 15 passenger cars behind her with no issues.

The S.

Hey well at least you have ran yours!  Yeah the one with the big tungsten cylinder up front is the same one with a traction tire. Maybe I should give her a spin.

[sizemore]

Hey well at least you have ran yours!  Yeah the one with the big tungsten cylinder up front is the same one with a traction tire. Maybe I should give her a spin.

I can't remember if you changed out the valve guides. On the Berk in the video they were gummed up, almost like oil in the valve guide channel which solidified, had to clean that out. You may have this issue if she's sat awhile, her two sisters didn't have this issue (but they are from the second run).

Also for this Berk there was some binding coming from the connecting rod, I was able to correct most of it. What is left I think resides in the connecting rod binding on the crank pin so I'll have to slightly enlarge the openings in the connecting rod.

The S.

[Chris333]

I bought it brand new, got it home and tore it apart. I milled the frame while the driver was being cut for the TT. It's all sitting in a box in pieces. So it is good to know the TT helped that much.

[sizemore]

I bought it brand new, got it home and tore it apart. I milled the frame while the driver was being cut for the TT. It's all sitting in a box in pieces. So it is good to know the TT helped that much.

Heh yeah and you dont have to put all those cars away either  ;D

The S.

[Day One]

I have a couple berks myself with tsunami sound installed in the tender. I'm pretty disappointed with the pulling power of these things out of the box. With the curves and grades on my layout I can pull 5 cars. LAME! I didn't know there was a mod for adding a traction tire. How did you guys do that?  As for the tungsten, I went the moldable route. I got moldable tungsten putty at a local fishing shop and crammed it in every nook and cranny I could. I found it was non conductive so I didn't have to worry about it shorting the frame halves.

[sizemore]

A good machinist can cut the wheel for you. The traction tires can be purchased through Kato (81000).

The S.

[Day One]

A good machinist can cut the wheel for you. The traction tires can be purchased through Kato (81000).

The S.

I assume you're doing the rear most driver since it's got most of the weight on it?