Weekend Update 7/1/18

[nkalanaga]

The MILW also had to add some parts to their signal systems in electrified territory.  Most signal circuits are DC, which is fine for steam or diesel railroads.  But with DC trolley voltage, and the rails wired together for the common return, every block would be continuously "occupied", because a normal signal circuit would be shorted.

One of the solutions is to use a "shunt", basically a coil of wire, in the power connection between the rails.  That will block an AC signal current, forcing it to go through the relay, and allowing the signals to function normally. 

If that is what this is, the heavy wires are because it actually is carrying the traction current, and needs to handle whatever voltage, and amperage, the trains draw.  Current from both rails goes in the sides, the AC signal supply is blocked, and the DC goes to ground, possibly under the box.  I don't know what the smaller third cable, on the left, is, maybe part of the signal circuit.  The MILW didn't have cab signals in the electrified areas, so their signals were much simpler.

[Angus Shops]

I've started a long awaited project to update my fleet of Atlas GP7/9's. The fleet is not properly balanced; the CPR had (about) 15 GP7's while I have 9 and about 200 GP9's compared to my 3, but I've decided to ignore this for now. All of the 7's are Atlas Classic of various ages and will need decoder installs, 6 have incorrect paint schemes (the grey band is too wide for the block style lettering style), and there are 3 each of 3 road numbers.

The GP9's are more recent Master Line (decoder equipped), but were purchased In the CP script scheme and will also need a repaint; I'm hoping that I can get away with a partial repaint so I don't have to strip and completely repaint 9 engines. I'll weather all of them so any slight imperfections in the repaint process can be disguised. All three of the 9's are also the same road number.

I don't understand Atlas's thinking on the Master Line engines; they come with big fat "stovepipe" hand rails with separate end rail castings instead of the much finer one piece parts on the older Classic models. However, I've discovered that the Classic handrail casting can be substituted in perfectly so I've ordered some new parts from Atlas. They also have some clunky moulded on end details (mu hoses and etc.) that will need to be removed before better details can be added.

All 12 (gulp) will get wire grabs, lift rings, correct horns, and winter hatches...
Geoff

[fcnrwy23]

With the weather around here for the last two days, being hot (the heat indexs were over 100).
I had had (almost  ) a productive weekend. 

A few projects in the works...



The CN C40-8M is ready for couplers and programing it's decoder. (Just found out yesterday, that Rapido, is NOW making this thing!  )
I added an "Minnesota Commercial" B23-7 to the FCLX fleet. (been looking for an Atlas-version for a while, so I got the decals instead!).
and I started another "parts" locomotive, it will be a "Static Display" near the round house.. This one will be an exConrail unit..


Here is the NEW Parts loco, with my only remaining unit. An ex-BC Rail B36-7.   I sold the other two that I had made a few months ago...



The only thing that didn't work these past days, was the CWR train.  I will be adding to that thread, in a minute or two...



Jerry G.

[ednadolski]

"Bobbleheading" is more appropriate while switching.

"Bobbleheading" seems appropriate for a single car, perhaps "slinky" becomes descriptive with multiple cars:

The common trigger is the running at a low, scale speed.

Ed

[Hamaker]

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.

C855B is absolutely correct regarding this matter.  I've driven this highway between Bakersfield and Mojave more time than I care to remember.  About a mile back to the west there is a sign for the Keene exit....but that's not the area being modeled.  To add any signage would be a big mistake.

[cbroughton67]

That's a wrap! I finished my scratch-built F22 flat today! For a first attempt at scratch-building I'm thrilled with how it turned out.
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[eja]

That's a wrap! I finished my scratch-built F22 flat today! For a first attempt at scratch-building I'm thrilled with how it turned out.
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Love your wooden deck - beautiful.

Now how about some details regarding what is scratchbuilt and what came from where.

[cbroughton67]

Love your wooden deck - beautiful.

Now how about some details regarding what is scratchbuilt and what came from where.

Thanks! It's all Evergreen styrene and Tichy phosphor-bronze wire.  The couplers are MT TSC's, brake components are from an Atlas EV caboose with p/b wire air lines added, GMM photo-etched brake wheel, and I used Archer rivet decals for the rivets. The deck was cut from some scribed wood siding I had on-hand, stained with Minwax "Classic Gray," and weathered with Pan Pastels. Paint is True Color PRR FCC, and decals are Mount Vernon Shops PRR F22 decals.


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[pdx1955]

This picture shows a number of fleet projects in progress, from the first SP L-40-5 log car kit done, the SP A-50-6 automobile tool car conversion, a 12-1 Pullman begin repainted into MOW colors for the work train, a SP 10-1-2 sleeping car with its final coat of paint, and a SP Osgood-Bradley stand-in being painted into SP colors (black roof re-paint will be next).

[packers#1]

Great work everyone.

Didn't do too much pretty work this weekend, but I got my scenery base (foamboard) down under the tracks. Next up is planning and roughing in some scenery and mocking up buildings.

Untitled by Sawyer Berry, on Flickr

Also ran some trains!
Untitled by Sawyer Berry, on Flickr

[peteski]

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

True. 
So since I know you are an expert in this subject, what is that item shown in the photo?

[OldEastRR]

More details and some corrections made - the scene has come together nicely and I'm really happy the way it turned out.  Here are four shots, no description needed.




Of course I've also been working on other parts of the layout, the cleanup seems endless.  I'm most grateful the damage was confined to the big room.

What's going to happen to that big open spot along the road? A rest stop or maybe a road maintenance depot with trucks and equipment, jersey barriers, piles of gravel, freeway sign stockpile, safety barricades, etc? That would certainly look interesting.

[coosvalley]

The common trigger is the running at a low, scale speed. Micro Trains couplers
Ed

There, fixed that for ya!

[Point353]

The common trigger is the the running at a low, scale speed. Micro Trains couplers.

There, fixed that for ya!

No, the common trigger is failing to use Micro-Trains Truck Restraining Springs:
https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?_route_=n-2-truck-restraining-springs-1953-12-ea-00112002

[Tom L]

I have not worked on the layout in a long while because I was focusing on my rolling stock, so I installed a beverage holder to inspire me to get going on long neglected layout projects. It "inspired" me to drink Guinness and run trains for a couple of hours, even better!

Tom L
Wellington CO

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