Weekend Update 7/1/18

[peteski]

You can really bring it more to life by adding some highway signs. Speed limit signs and "No U-Turn, Official Use Only" for that break in the Jersey barrier. Maybe even an overhead green upcoming exit sign for the area you are modeling.

Another enhancement to this otherwise awesome scene would be to detail paint the cars. Painting the wheels silver would make them look more realistic. But I'm sure Jim was planning on doing that eventually.

[C855B]

You can really bring it more to life by adding some highway signs. Speed limit signs and "No U-Turn, Official Use Only" for that break in the Jersey barrier. Maybe even an overhead green upcoming exit sign for the area you are modeling.

The location Jim is representing here (CA 58 over the tracks at Woodford) is surprisingly devoid of signage, there are no breaks in the divider and definitely no U-turns for emergency vehicles - roadway is too narrow. Here's the one and only sign in roughly two miles of highway:

https://goo.gl/maps/FGVSHgA545k

Jim did a great job on this because I recognized it immediately. 58 through here is a horrible stretch to drive, with steep grades, narrow lanes, and impatient truckers bullying their way through frequently heavy-but-already-way-too-fast traffic. Even 40 years ago I hated this road, fearing I'd be wiped off the road trying to navigate it in my Beetle.

[hminky]

Developing a "what-I-did" web article to put operating front couplers on N-Scale steam.

The MT 905 z-scale coupler won't uncouple magnetically and is afflicted with "bobbleheading" while switching.

The McHenry can be adapted to the MT 905 coupler box:





That is a Bachmann coupler spring on the coupler. Lost the original and wanted to see if the Bachmann would fit.

Been a while since I have written web articles and age creeps up.

Almost forgot how I used to do the articles.

Harold

[MEP]

Interesting. Learned something new. First thought was "signal shunt", but it didn't look like any shunt I ever worked on 40 years ago, plus I had only seen these on third-rail heavy commuter operations. Apparently these low-impedance shunts are necessary because of the data imposed on the circuit. DC signalling doesn't care (much) about impedance.

Similar devices are used on catenary powered light rail systems.
Edmonton's LRT uses 1 basic device in 3 configurations.

1. 2 impedance bonds connected to each other with each impedance bond connected to each set of rails, on either side of an insulated joint. Used to terminate the signal circuit, but allows the negative return current to carry on past the insulated joint, back into the rails, and onto the substation.
2. Like in the picture, just used for signalling.
3. Looks like in the picture, but with 4 cables coming out of the impedance bond and running under the track to the substation, this is the negative return.

[peteski]

Developing a "what-I-did" web article to put operating front couplers on N-Scale steam.

The MT 905 z-scale coupler won't uncouple magnetically and is afflicted with "bobbleheading" while switching.

The McHenry can be adapted to the MT 905 coupler box:

That is a Bachmann coupler spring on the coupler. Lost the original and wanted to see if the Bachmann would fit.

Interesting.   The usual derrigatory name used for the behavior of MTL couplers is "slinky", since that is exactly what a string of cars looks like when it is moving.  But i guess that "bobbleheading" works too.

I'm not a fan of the size and appearance of the extra-yooge McHenry or the even-larger Bachmann "boxing glove" coupler. But if you can't stand the "slinky" effect, then the I guess the appearance takes a back seat to functionality.  I wonder why haven't you done this using the Accumate coupler? While it looks funky to me, at least its size is more reasonable (similar to MTL N scale coupler)..

[conrail1973]

I finally found the time to add more ground cover to other areas on my layout that have been a little bare





I have also found a decent ladder truck that I have added to my fire department fleet on the layout.



Adam

[mark dance]

Before launching in to the involved assembly of the Nelson Diesel house it has always been my plan to warm up with the the associated steam plant, so this week I began the compressed model of that plant.  In this way I can test painting and assembly techniques. 







It does look like I will have to put some interior details in but I think I will light just the outside so that I don't have to seal gaps all the way around the windows.  This won't be an issue for the main walls of the diesel house as the windows are not, for the most part, individually assembled, frame-less inserts like they are here but rather multi-layer walls.

Have a great Canada Day weekend!

md

[hminky]

Interesting.   The usual derrigatory name used for the behavior of MTL couplers is "slinky", since that is exactly what a string of cars looks like when it is moving.  But i guess that "bobbleheading" works too.

I'm not a fan of the size and appearance of the extra-yooge McHenry or the even-larger Bachmann "boxing glove" coupler. But if you can't stand the "slinky" effect, then the I guess the appearance takes a back seat to functionality.  I wonder why haven't you done this using the Accumate coupler? While it looks funky to me, at least its size is more reasonable (similar to MTL N scale coupler)..

"Bobbleheading" is more appropriate while switching.

As size goes they are all about the same except for the heinous Bachmann, from the N-Scale Supply site:



Tried the Accumate but it doesn't work and is a pain being two pieces.

If your purpose is operating as a railroad and not screenshots, functionality trumps slight difference in appearance.

Never thought the two piece KD/MT couplers ever looked like a coupler.

Harold

[BCRail_FSJ]

Wrapping up the tracklaying at Fort St. John.   Just a few small additions to make.   Hoping to get basic terrain filled in, fascia installed and a basic backdrop painted over the next few months.

[chuck geiger]

Jim - Perfect for Highway 58! http://www.kurumi.com/roads/signmaker/signmaker.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=signs+along+california+highway+58+tehachapi&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjxxOyWkPzbAhX6HDQIHeQHBkEQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1600&bih=767

[carlso]

Just off the work bench. This is an ME kit that I have had for quite some time. Will add some worker bees when I set this on club layout.................................





Thanks for looking,
Carl

[Dave V]

Working with the photo backdrops for Rico:



Notice the LED "hose" Christmas lights.  They're cool white...somewhat close to 5000K.  I'm going to hang them from the ceiling as straight as I can using plastic cable stables to even out those hot spots you see.  @Ed Kapuscinski asked me about whether I should just build a valence but...the ceilings are 9 feet above the floor which means that unless I build a ridiculously tall valence, you'd be able to see up behind it anyway.  Besides, the ceiling is so high it's not visible under normal layout viewing angles.



These scenes are actually from Rico, CO.  I had to GIMP out the surviving RGS Rico water tank on one of them since I'll be building it in 3 dimensions in the yard anyway.

[unittrain]

Added 2 of the 4 supports to the 1st span. The GMM w bracing is a little large for these columns but it does the job ok.

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[draskouasshat]

Having spent a lot of time on and in the DC Metro system I recognize the third rail insulator, but that thing is wired to the web of the main rail, not the third rail.  Plus its got angle iron on both sides to protect the joint.  Could also be a signal system component.

It's not a signal system component. It has to do with high voltage judging by the heavy gauge conductors.
We try to AVOID putting things between the rails I  the signal department.

Drasko

[draskouasshat]

I guess you guys didn't read the photo caption or the info provided in the link below the photo.
https://ggwash.org/view/4412/how-track-circuits-detect-and-protect-trains

 

That article is junk and that kid has no clue about track circuits, let alone a CORRECT picture of signal appliances.
You can't take every article written as fact Pete! Most people don't understand anything about signaling so writing adv article on it is probably a bad idea.
Drasko