CSX Hanover Subdivision

[GaryHinshaw]

Very nice (except for the runaway).  I'm really sold on this approach to train control.   With E.D. you can add up and down speed buttons to either end of the slider, and configure how sensitive they are, but you have to be careful not to tap within the slider range when using them.  I'm finding the slider pretty easy to get used to though.



Aside from laptops going to sleep, I think connecting through wifi is more reliable than through Digitrax's radio protocol.  I'm also finding that acquiring and releasing locos with ED/jmri is more reliable than with Digitrax throttles.  There is nothing like having two throttles trying to control one train.

[mu26aeh]

Disaster struck this evening on the sub.  I'm not quite sure what I did, it was involving programming using JMRI, using the programming track, I hit a button to write and the codes went every single locomotive sitting on the layout.  All now have same address 0302, about 10 in total.   

I went in to start changing things back and it kept saying programmer was busy error 302, or it would say error 301 or 308.  I shut everything down and came upstairs.  Will fight with it tomorrow.   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It won't help now, but... By programming with jmri, and saving the records as you go, you'll quickly be able to call up the details of each locomotive and rewrite the values to it.

[mu26aeh]

Problems fixed tonight.  Had to reset some decoders with Zephyr then go back to the PR3 programming track.  When I did reset thru jmri it didn't do anything.  So nice though just pulling engine file up and click "write".

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Right?

[mu26aeh]

I got some more flex track at the LHS this weekend and set out to install the MMID/CSX interchange at Emory Grove, MD.  There is enough MMID trackage before the switch that I can have 2 engines and up to 6 cars waiting to swap cars with D795/D797.  Here is an overhead view of the area.  As it is in the picture, MMID 300/302 is heading back to Union Bridge with 2 empty stone hoppers, after picking them up and dropping off 4 cement hoppers and loaded stone hopper on the siding.

20151011_143049[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr

I set up a couple trains and ran a quick switch out to check my track work.  MMID UBEG (Union Bridge/Emory Grove turn) waits to enter the interchange as CSX Q763 (Loaded Rock Runner) glides downhill on it's way to Baltimore.

20151011_124540[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr
20151011_124416[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr

MMID UBEG gets permission from CSX in Jacksonville, FL (this is dark territory, so everything is done via radio communication).  There are two empty stone hoppers to take back on the return trip.  Here you can see them dropping cars for CSX, and picking up the hoppers.

20151011_124755[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr

Here is the now MMID EGUB turn on CSX trackage running around the cars they dropped off to get back on MMID trackage.

20151011_124836[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr

And here is MMID EGUB back on home tracks heading west.

20151011_125110[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr

[wm3798]

Nice!  Now you have to do the cool bridge on Glyndon Road and the station/post office!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Nice!  Now you have to do the cool bridge on Glyndon Road and the station/post office!

And the delicious Italian grocery store.

[Philip H]

And the delicious Italian grocery store.

Only if he does it with Smell-O-Rama

[mu26aeh]

Nice!  Now you have to do the cool bridge on Glyndon Road and the station/post office!

Are you talking about Butler Rd ?  If you go back to the illustrated drawing for first page, Butler Rd is drawn in across that area.   

[wm3798]

Yes, Butler Road... Forgot the name... it's been a while since I've been there.





But I've been there!

Lee

[mu26aeh]

Yes, Butler Road... Forgot the name... it's been a while since I've been there.





But I've been there!

Lee

Ok, so that looks doable, at least the bridge anyway.  What for products are out there to accomplish this ?

[wm3798]

N scale Architect offers a good selection of sheets with various masonry patterns.  Either that or build it out of foam and give it a coat of spackle you can carve the rocks in.  This is the sort of project that Lord Zox would have eaten whole!

Lee

[OldEastRR]

Looks like you have bit of a kink ... on the picture of the 2 locos side by side, the LH flex track going off the LH curving switch at the frog end. Not bashing, just noticing.

[mu26aeh]

Yes, I will have to look at that.  I think it is partly because one rail joiner is plastic (turnout is an electrofrog) and partly because there is nothing for nail/track spike to bite into since it is foam under cork.  I will have to try to get a wood shim or something under there to give something for nail to bite into and hold the track in position.