Proposed HO/HOn3 Layout. Colorado Midland/D&RG/C&S

[Hawghead]

You're really making some really nice progress there, wish I could work that fast.  The foam and the control panel look great.  Looking forward to seeing more.

Scott

[dcarrell8]

More progress
Track work has been completed.  If things go as planned I should start wiring things up this weekend.  I plan on creating a "jig" to hold the module upside down while I wire. 

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  I will focus first on wiring then on completing all structures (9 in all) before I get more in depth on the scenery.  I've added a few rock castings but will probably do several more once I begin scenery phase.

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I'm fairly happy with everything so far. 

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Over Christmas I had a large block of time off of work, so my goal was to have wiring completed and trains running by the New Year. Yup, I missed the mark a little on that!!  If I get trains running this weekend I will go back to working on the large layout space and to make sure the cart is not too far out in front of the horse! 

I'm one of those people that can get sidetracked on things If I don't plan accordingly and make myself stick to the plan. Moving forward, I will work on structures on weekdays after work (if I'm not too exhausted), then work on the layout space on the weekends. 

~Dennis

[Hawghead]

Dennis,

Once again it's looking great.  Nice job on the hand laid dual gauge turnout.  I'm hoping the jig for my 3-way stubs is in the mail box.  Have you considered moving the turnout that the dual gauge leads into closer to the water tank to eliminate the S curve between the two?

Scott

[dcarrell8]

Dennis,

Once again it's looking great.  Nice job on the hand laid dual gauge turnout.  I'm hoping the jig for my 3-way stubs is in the mail box.  Have you considered moving the turnout that the dual gauge leads into closer to the water tank to eliminate the S curve between the two?

Scott

Thanks Scott,
As I recall, (It's been a while since I actually planned the switches), but there is a very specific distance between the turnouts to create areas for a desired number of cars per the Timesaver "game"  I also did not like the S curve, but that seemed to be the only way I could get the proper spacing.  OR, It could be that I completely misunderstood what I read in the MR Magazine I got the idea from, and I ended up with an ugly S! LOL

~Dennis

[Hawghead]

Thanks Scott,
As I recall, (It's been a while since I actually planned the switches), but there is a very specific distance between the turnouts to create areas for a desired number of cars per the Timesaver "game"  I also did not like the S curve, but that seemed to be the only way I could get the proper spacing.  OR, It could be that I completely misunderstood what I read in the MR Magazine I got the idea from, and I ended up with an ugly S! LOL

~Dennis

Ahh, so there is a method to your madness!  I'm guessing it was done to limit the amount of cars that could be placed on the various spurs so as to increase the amount of moves required to make the necessary pick ups and set outs.  It's looking great, looking forward to seeing more.

Scott

[dcarrell8]

So, Im installing tortoise switch motors on my turnouts and I'm having issues with my dual gauge switch.  I'm wondering if because I'm going through 1/2" plywood, 1" foam and cork road bed that my wire is too "bendy" at that length.

I've upgraded to .32 diameter wire which I thought would be enough.  Do any of you have any suggestions on wire size for Tortoise throws of 1-1/2" above the motor?

~Dennis

[Hawghead]

So, Im installing tortoise switch motors on my turnouts and I'm having issues with my dual gauge switch.  I'm wondering if because I'm going through 1/2" plywood, 1" foam and cork road bed that my wire is too "bendy" at that length.

I've upgraded to .32 diameter wire which I thought would be enough.  Do any of you have any suggestions on wire size for Tortoise throws of 1-1/2" above the motor?

~Dennis

Is the problem that the wire won't move the points of the dual-gauge turnout and just bend?  Is it just the dual-gauge one that causes problems?

Scott

[dcarrell8]

No, it is also the Pecos.  I can clearly see how much the wire is bending.   I've done a little research, seems thicker wire should take care of the issue so I've ordered .039 wire.  *Crosses Fingers*

~ Dennis

[dcarrell8]

Progress Update:

I managed to get the DCC wiring done this past weekend and I can report that the track work is very good.  I operated the Time Saver "game" and zero stalls occurred.   I'm pleased!  This coming weekend I will hopefully get all the LCC wired up and stall motors installed. 

[dcarrell8]

Engineering Report Update:

To help facilitate wiring I have hacked together what I call the Layout "Flip-o-Matic."  I find it a lot less frustrating sitting upright while wiring rather than laying upside-down with the blood draining out of your hands!

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I have competed wiring the DCC (Blue/White) and have gotten a good start on the CT coils for block detection.

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I hope to get started in JMRI creating my Panel, configuring nodes.

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Unfortunately the monitor I ordered for my Rasberry Pi didn't come with the correct HDMI cable.  If I'm lucky Wal-Mart might have one, otherwise I'll have to order one and it will be another week to get started on push-buttons and turnout control. 

[dcarrell8]

Progress has been slow but steady on the Time Saver Module.  I had a set back while wiring my block detection boards.  I had one block that constantly reported as occupied even with no trains on the section.  After a weeks worth of email chats with people way smarter than me about LCC and all kinds of tests attempting to rule out stupidity on my end, Dick Bronson of RR-CirKIts finally found the issue.  I had two feeder drops on the same block, but I had only run one of the feeders through the CT coil.  I had totally misread the instructions. (user stupidity)  Turns out,  ALL feeders from one rail, in any given block must be joined together first, then passed through the CT coil. 

 If any block feeder bypasses the CT coil, then any power flowing in the power district bus will divide. The majority stays in the power district bus due to its low resistance compared to the rails, but a small portion flows into one feeder, through the rails, and out of another feeder. The CT will see that shared current as a load and trigger, even if the train drawing the current is no where near to the block. Or in my case no train at all on the block.

Problem fixed and all blocks are now working fine, and reporting to JMRI. 

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I'm not sure if have mentioned it in here or not, but I have had a major schedlue change in my workplace.  I am now working 6pm to 6am,  It's been an adjustment!  I have three days off over the weekend so I am trying to proportion that time so I can accomplish things instead of sleeping it away, which is very tempting.  Two of my three days I plan on working on the larger layout space. 

I managed to complete both Rake Walls on the North and South end of the space

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I did get the .39 wire I ordered over a week ago and am happy to report that my tortoises will work fine with it.

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Hopefully by the end of next weekend I will have a working panel with push-button control of the turnouts. 

~ Dennis

[dcarrell8]

Progress on the Larger layout space has been slow but steady.  I have completed all framing with the exception of the ceiling.  I still need to do a few things concerning the access to the loft space above the smaller room.  I have started with the electrical work and have one of 3 circuits pulled and working.

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Last weekend moved the lights and discovered that I need two more to be happy with overall room lighting. 
I planned on going in to town this weekend and purchasing the extra lighting, but with all the craziness in the world right now, I will stay home and socially distance myself... to be safe.  I have enough materials to pull the other two circuits for the room so I can still be productive.
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[dcarrell8]

Work has not stopped on the time saver.  The wiring is now about 99% complete, the panel with push button control of the tortoises works well and the layout operates smoothly.
Next phase is mocking up structures so I can see in 3D how I want to Terraform the scenery.
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Below is the mock up of the Fine Scale Models kit Branch line Bucket Coal.  I may have to kit bash this to get it to fit into the scene the way I want, which is why I build the mock-ups.
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Here I have three buildings on a proposed hill, I have decided to add at least one more false front structure to the street row, if not two.  I have on ordered a Banta Modelworks kit and a Wild West Kit. Once those are mocked up I can make better decisions on how to approach the low hill, or if I can even find a way to put a hill in the scene.
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Finally, I plan on putting a small river/stream that disappears behind the structures and tree line.  I just want to make sure all the structures are in their final resting place before I go full scale on terrain work.
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~Dennis

[Hawghead]

Dennis,

It looks like the room and layout are coming along great.  Could you order the lights you need from Amazon?  I bought the LED lights I put up in my garage from them and they've been fantastic.  I really like the mock up of the town, I think it'll make a great scene.

Scott

[dcarrell8]

Dennis,

It looks like the room and layout are coming along great.  Could you order the lights you need from Amazon?  I bought the LED lights I put up in my garage from them and they've been fantastic.  I really like the mock up of the town, I think it'll make a great scene.

Scott

I may have to Scott, I went to town today and couldn't find anything close to what I already have.  What length were your lights?  I'm wanting some 8 footers.