Weekend Update 11/2/2014

[tom mann]

Going back through some projects and finishing them.  I started this LAJ loco back in '08, and just finished it up trying to use all Vallejo paints.

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[craigolio1]

Going back through some projects and finishing them.  I started this LAJ loco back in '08, and just finished it up trying to use all Vallejo paints.

(Attachment Link)

That is the best weathering I have ever seen.
Craig.

[learmoia]

And the installation wasn't all that easy, but once you've made the mistakes...wasn't helped at all by the Digitrax sheet's showing the wrong wire color for F1.  Elsewhere on the sheet it gave the correct designation but of course I was looking at the diagram.

That's what you get for following the instructions..    Nice results!  I have a lot of admiration for those who have the patients and skill for adding ditch lights -Ian

[tom mann]

That is the best weathering I have ever seen.
Craig.

Thanks Craig.  It is a little heavy handed (compared to photos of the real thing) and sloppy in places but looks nice in person.

[elnscale]

And the installation wasn't all that easy, but once you've made the mistakes...wasn't helped at all by the Digitrax sheet's showing the wrong wire color for F1.  Elsewhere on the sheet it gave the correct designation but of course I was looking at the diagram.

I will do more experimentation...

If you have mis-wired the outputs, you can also solve this by changing CV values, rather than unsoldering two wires and resoldering. For example, let's say that you soldered the green (normally F1) and violet (normally f2) somewhere the wrong way around (i.e. they are swapped), this can be solved by changing CV35 and CV36. Normally these would contain 4 and 8 respectively. If you swap the CV values, then the function of the wires is also swapped. This is explained in section 6.10, page 50 of the Decoder Programming Manual found at http://www.digitrax.com/static/apps/cms/media/documents/documentation/decodermanual.pdf.

I think that long term, wiring with the correct colors is best, but thought I would point this out.

[jereising]

Yeah, Steve, aware of that.  Didn't help that the first decoder's functions wouldn't work.  Never buy just one.

I'll be doing some different things as I do #147 next.  Going to paint the LED except for the face, but I think it's still gonna be too much.  I may try to get the lenses off of the housing, then I could paint the inside - but it needs to be a thin coat. 

But even with the glow, they're still better than the factory version.  Thanks all for the comments.

[PaulP]

This week I tried my first and maybe only hand laid turnout.

Some of you might chuckle when you see it is made from atlas code 80 flex track.
I started my layout long ago and I am way to far into it to replace all the track.
I needed another cross over between where my staging enters the main track and a bridge crossing which puts the cross over in a corner.
I know, not the best place for one but...
I tried with Peco turnouts and worked but didn't look right.
I went from this

To this

All in and powered up and ready for testing.
So far locos like it now the test will be to run full trains thru it.
As many of you have stated the first one is challenging, especially since I had no jig or pattern to fit my corner but I am very happy with it and so far it works great.
Its thanks to you guys on Railwire that I even attempted this! Glad I did.
Paul

[davefoxx]

Paul,

That turnout looks great for your first try.  Most folks' first attempt, especially if you used no jigs, has to be thrown away as sacrificial learning tools.

Coincidentally, I started flirting with building my first hand-built turnout without jigs this weekend, too.  This will be a #8 curved turnout with 16" and 12" radius curves.  I need this turnout (and a similar one) to finish the arrival/departure tracks into Hamlet Yard.  As you can see, I've filed and pre-bent all of the rail pieces into shape.  I'm taking a break from it now and will begin soldering it to ties tonight or tomorrow morning:



While piddling with the curved turnout, I dug the Auto Train out of storage and ran it for the first time (I think) on the expanded Seaboard Central.  Here, the southbound Auto Train is pulling through Hamlet, North Carolina en route to Sanford, Florida:



Oh, and if you look close, you can see that I finally installed the caboose track with the purchase of one Code 55 #5 right turnout.  With this, all of the track of the expansion is installed and, with the exception of just four turnout slide switch throws, those are complete, too.  I really need to move on to dropping feeders and running bus wires.

DFF

[Chris333]

Going back through some projects and finishing them.  I started this LAJ loco back in '08, and just finished it up trying to use all Vallejo paints.

How is that LAJ layout coming along...   

[tom mann]

How is that LAJ layout coming along...   

It's called the "Hinshaw Valley" now!  With mid-chest to eye-level rugged mountain scenery!!

[up1950s]

DITCH LIGHT HOUSING GLOW

I have had great success with Floquil Engine , or Grimy Black . 

[up1950s]

Tom that weathering is terrific , but I have some observations .

Wouldn't the chain on the end sills have rubbed and caused the paint to chip , thus rust to be present ?

What about wear and or dirt at the hood door latches , and some rust streaks from the door hinges ?

I only wish I could do what you do , but are any beauty judges worth a toss in the hay , even with a bag over both their and your head ?

[tom mann]

Tom that weathering is terrific , but I have some observations .

Wouldn't the chain on the end sills have rubbed and caused the paint to chip , thus rust to be present ?

What about wear and or dirt at the hood door latches , and some rust streaks from the door hinges ?

I only wish I could do what you do , but are any beauty judges worth a toss in the hay , even with a bag over both their and your head ?

All accurate observations and things to fix!  Thanks!

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Well today i started working on this year Christmas train.







Once the first layer of snow dries on the roof I will probably have to add more.

[np1969]

This week I tried my first and maybe only hand laid turnout.

My work for the past bunch of months has been to get Paul to get that hand-made turnout done.

The other accomplishment was to get my custom-painted NP SD45s from Kendall at the Lynden show.