Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

No, I haven't done the quarter test yet, because, regardless of whether the layout passes, feeders will get added at some point.  The funny thing is that I tested throttle response as the trains were running last night, and, even at the far end, the locomotives are clearly responding and must be getting a decent signal.  I have dropped some feeders on the original HCD, but they are currently disconnected due to a rewiring project that required me to pull out the bus wires.

So, will you believe that the entire layout is running on two feeders?   

DFF

[Bsklarski]

http://www.dccwiki.com/Quarter_Test

I cant begin to tell you how many times I made small adjustments to track, ect with the booster on and the track energized! BZZZZZT.

[Smike]

Switching be dammed, may roundy round live forever! Love it.

[eric220]

Switching be dammed, may roundy round live forever! Love it.

+1 Karma

[davefoxx]

Here's the latest roundy-round adventure. Now that I have a slightly longer mainline, I got all ten of my Atlas and BLMA 89' TOFC flatcars up and running.  The Atlas cars required new wheelsets and the grinding of metal flash from the underframe.  This allows the cars to roll without derailing, shorting out, or making a screeching sound.  Big improvement.

Now, I have to buy some era-appropriate trailers.  I'm eyeing those Trainworx Sea Land trailers that were recently announced, if I can figure out which scheme is the correct for the early- to mid-1980s.

DFF

[Philip H]

Purty!!!

Now go weather up those decks before you put any trailers on them.

[davefoxx]

Purty!!!

Now go weather up those decks before you put any trailers on them.

I agree that those cars, as with all of my fleet, need to be weathered.  But, that task won't be toward the top of my to-do list until I get the expansion finished and much of the scenery completed.

DFF

[jpec]

Try this Dave...get a rattle can of Rustoleum Flat Brown Camo, run the train through slowly and spray as it passes...weathers the decks and the track in one shot....

Jeff

[davefoxx]

Jeff,

Do you also suggest that I wreck my trains, like this . . .



 . . . so that I may also weather the bottom of each car?   

DFF

[Bsklarski]

Jeff,

Do you also suggest that I wreck my trains, like this . . .



 . . . so that I may also weather the bottom of each car?   

DFF

 Train handling.

[davefoxx]

Train handling.

No kudzu was harmed in the wrecking of this train.  The passengers . . . well, not so much.   

DFF

[davefoxx]

I built the 18" x 33" extension near the water heater with the scrap left over from an 18" HCD.  I'm still researching the prototype to determine what industries and carloads I want to model on the A&R, so the track plan through Raeford is merely for planning purposes only and is subject to partial or even complete revision, if necessary or desired.



DFF

[jpec]

Jeff,

Do you also suggest that I wreck my trains, like this . .

 . . . so that I may also weather the bottom of each car?   

DFF

That could work...you could use that as an excuse if the NTSB  comes calling...and have a little guy there passing out checks as the passengers go by on a stretcher...

Roundy-round and an interesting branch line...I think you have the best of both worlds...

Jeff

[Rich_S]

I built the 18" x 33" extension near the water heater with the scrap left over from an 18" HCD.  I'm still researching the prototype to determine what industries and carloads I want to model on the A&R, so the track plan through Raeford is merely for planning purposes only and is subject to partial or even complete revision, if necessary or desired.



DFF

Dave, May I suggest the industry at Dundarrach, NC (Some type of grain elevator) for the new 18" x 33" extension. That way you would still have room to extend to Rockfish if need be in the future?

[davefoxx]

Rich,

Awesome idea!  First, Dundarrach is the next stop down the line from Raeford, and, second, I definitely want to include a destination for my covered hoppers.  Genius!  Dundarrach it shall be!  Not sure I'll ever expand further without a basement remodel, which would involve the relocation of the hot water heater, but, hey, never say "never."  Right?

So, here's the traffic I know I will model so far;
Dundarrach: Grain in covered hoppers
Raeford: The L&S interchange with miscellaneous carloads.  I will also stretch history a few years, so that the A&R and the L&S still are included in the routing of coal over their lines before the SCL decided to cut that traffic off.  Get this, on the prototype, the SCL diverted that traffic but reimbursed the A&R and the L&S for a few years as if those short lines were still handling the coal even though that traffic was diverted to the SCL for the entire trip!.  The ACL-SAL merger sealed that deal, although it was quite a few years before SCL pulled that trick.
Raeford: A destination for gondolas (I've got several of the Atlas cars decorated for the A&R, so they need a job), but I need to decide on what is hauled.

Thanks,
DFF