Weekend Update 11/1/20

[milw156]

Curious if hitting dynamic brakes when moving would defeat the notch 8/faux HEP setting he has going on. I think I tried this with a 73100 Select Micro in My Kato F40PH and, yeah, hitting dynamic brakes pulled it out of notch 8 altogether and wouldn't go back to notch 8 when dynamic brakes were disengaged.

Not sure why they even have DB's given the topography of northeastern Illinois. Will ask some one I know who is a Metra Engineer if they ever actually use them

[pedro]

Not sure why they even have DB's given the topography of northeastern Illinois. Will ask some one I know who is a Metra Engineer if they ever actually use them

I’m not the engineer you’re referring to, but I have run BNSF/metra trains extensively...

Yes, the dynamics are used. However, they are “blended brakes,” meaning that the dynamics come on automatically when the air is set and the throttle is in idle. Likewise, they drop out instantly if the throttle is moved out of idle or the independent is actuated. There is no separate control for the dynamics. They dramatically reduce stopping distance. Of course, some engineers don’t use the feature, opting instead to power brake all stops. There’s not a wrong way, it’s just a preference.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

A few photos of my O scale "test track" that I sceniced over the weekend.

[wazzou]

@Ed Kapuscinski - Random number on the boxcar?     What is the number on the end?

[davefoxx]

@Ed Kapuscinski - Random number on the boxcar?     What is the number on the end?

Haha!  Good eye!

DFF

[RockGp40]

I was hoping to see these released by ScaleTrains with their latest release of the 5188s last year. Incobrasa got a whole mess of the new cars. Where did you get the decals? Or did you make them?

[mu26aeh]

I was hoping to see these released by ScaleTrains with their latest release of the 5188s last year. Incobrasa got a whole mess of the new cars. Where did you get the decals? Or did you make them?

Had them printed. Precision Design Co.  https://www.pdc.ca/rr/catalog

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Haha!  Good eye!

DFF

I know. I didn't realize until well after the car arrived from eBay. I don't have the cajones to renumber it right now though. This o scale stuff is intimidating!

[Maletrain]

I know. I didn't realize until well after the car arrived from eBay. I don't have the cajones to renumber it right now though. This o scale stuff is intimidating!

Gee Ed, it's O SCALE!  Just grab a bucket of white paint and a ladder, climb up there and paint that "3" into an "8". 

[milw156]

I’m not the engineer you’re referring to, but I have run BNSF/metra trains extensively...

Yes, the dynamics are used. However, they are “blended brakes,” meaning that the dynamics come on automatically when the air is set and the throttle is in idle. Likewise, they drop out instantly if the throttle is moved out of idle or the independent is actuated. There is no separate control for the dynamics. They dramatically reduce stopping distance. Of course, some engineers don’t use the feature, opting instead to power brake all stops. There’s not a wrong way, it’s just a preference.

Thanks for the info, always wondered how those trains could come in so "hot" and come to a stop without putting passengers on the floor or close to it like the CTA! Curious as to how far out from a station stop do you disengage throttle and begin to apply brakes? TIA
Rick

[GaryHinshaw]

Do you plan on modeling the small "repeater" signals that were on some of the sidings?

I'm not 100% sure I know which signals you're referring to... but probably not.  (If it's what I think it is, I think @C855B has a been working on making some.)  To the extent that I can, I have been trying to follow the configurations that were in place towards the end of the searchlight era, as documented in redoveryellow.com, and those are mostly standard searchlights.  Also, since my control points are only about half a scale mile apart on average (about a train length) I am not modelling any intermediate signals, since they wouldn't add any real operational value.  That may change though. 

I was playing around with some more pictures last night and, for fun, snapped a Big Dime* shot:



*Ok, it's a Canadian dime, but it's the same size as a US dime, despite being worth 30% less...

[C855B]

Do you plan on modeling the small "repeater" signals that were on some of the sidings?

"Small target, short visor" H-2 head is already done. In this instance, I put it on a Showcase dwarf base, but it was designed for the mast brackets as well:



UP used this dwarf style as siding exits on the LA&SL.

[ednadolski]

- Stainless steel parts are hit with a thin coat of Tamiya metal primer, thinned a bit with laquer thinner.  (Except I don't prime the half-etched target face.)

@GaryHinshaw is this the right stuff?  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000WS014/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

[GaryHinshaw]

No, it was this.  It looks like it is also available as a spray, but I have been brush painting all my signals, so the bottle was more convenient.  I thinned it ~30% with lacquer thinner - goes on super smooth.
-gfh

[pedro]

Thanks for the info, always wondered how those trains could come in so "hot" and come to a stop without putting passengers on the floor or close to it like the CTA! Curious as to how far out from a station stop do you disengage throttle and begin to apply brakes? TIA
Rick

Well, “It depends”; There’s a lot of variables at play. We use landmarks, for both where to start setting the air and where to spot the train. Then you make adjustments based on speed, number of cars, weather conditions etc. Just as an example, using Naperville, measured on Google Earth, the landmarks I use are ~3000’ from the platform, both directions. That’s good for 70mph and 11 cars/1 engine. Full service air/full dynamics, and then a graduated release of the air to “float it” to a stop at the end.