N Scale Hi Rail - Retro Hollow Core Door Layout

[wm3798]

Also ballasted a few more inches of track.

[wm3798]

More Birthday Booty.  Looks like I found a Unicorn.







I didn't get the smoke box door casting, but the OEM plastic part fit like a glove.  Debating now whether to paint it, or polish it up and apply some lacquer.

Lee

[peteski]

. . . or leave it as-is, with the vintage train patina on it.
Just like some antique autombiles which are left unrestored.

[wm3798]

. . . or leave it as-is, with the vintage train patina on it.
Just like some antique autombiles which are left unrestored.

@peteski , I may want to re-order some Laurel Valley steam era decals ... just in case!
Lee

[peteski]

@peteski , I may want to re-order some Laurel Valley steam era decals ... just in case!
Lee

No problem!

[wm3798]

I was getting too many derailment with my junction, which just had to get fixed.
I had a curved turnout in stock, but for some reason I went with a medium.  So I went back to the big bag of track and redid the junction with the much gentler curved.


So far the tests are positive.  I'll be putting some of the bigger steam through, the ones eaten alive by the old switch, to see if the problem is truly saved.

Then, when I get around to the the back corner, I'll rework that in a similar manner.

Lee

[Point353]

@peteski , I may want to re-order some Laurel Valley steam era decals ... just in case!
Lee

Add some old Lima heavyweight passenger cars decorated for the Laurel Valley and run a steam excursion.
http://www.spookshow.net/passenger/limaheavy.html

[wm3798]

Already heading in that direction...


Went on ahead and fixed the back switch, too.

Now I can finalize the control box for the lower yard.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Lee, in case you need em: https://conrail1285.square.site/shop/track/AJOYEDFKHFYNEEC46UCX272P

[wm3798]

More work on the upper loop wye.  I did some excavating to install a Peco motor to the Wye track in front of the train order office at Old Town.

There was a lingering gauge issue (since I fearlessly deploy used track components when others would choose more wisely.)  Which I addressed after the wiring and basic functionality was established.


The Nerve Center of the Wye Junction.  I'll need to whip up some labels so remember what the hell I did...
For reference, left to right, you have upper loop front switch, then upper rear, then lower front, then lower rear.
The third point of each wye will be controlled at the yard end of things.  I have the reversing set up so that trains entering the yard will have to pause to get clearance before moving into the receiving track, while outbound trains can just run out the other leg.  Once I figure out where I'm putting crossovers in (so the lower, inner loop can also be operated) the switches will be set up to work in the opposite direction.  (I think).


Here we see some Pennsy sharks making their way off the main and into the lower loop wye.


And finally, the gauge repair.  For some reason the turnout (which is a Peco medium Wye) was pinched just before the points,  Everything appeared to be in order, but the application of track gauge revealed the problem.  Since the pinch point was right above the opening for the subterranean switch machine, there was no way to correct the issue using spikes.  Also, with the subroadbed being foam, that wouldn't have done much good anyway.  After puzzling over it for a bit, I figured I'd try a scratch building trick.  I took an old Intermountain light board from an F unit, and cut a strip long enough to serve as a tie.  I then nicked it in the center to create two soldering pads.  This was going to be tricky, because of the hole underneath and the fact that the trackwork was already soldered and glued down.  I used to point of my soldering iron to burn off the tie just ahead of the points, then cleaned the bottom of the rail with a small file.

Using the track gauge as a clip to hold the alignment, I attached the PC board firmly with solder.  There's still a little rumble rumble and clickety clack, but everything makes it through now.

Lee

[wm3798]

The lower yard is now configured, and the upper yard just needs a bit more work.


Just need to cut a few gaps and wire in some block control.
Upper yard needs to be extended with a runaround added to the A/D track.





Any hints for gapping and wiring Unitrak for block control will be helpful.
Lee

[wm3798]

This week's new arrivals at the N Scale Hi Rail Rescue...

A Rivarossi Pacific that the seller said didn't work, but after a quick dip into the parts bin it did....


Another Pacific, painted with a potato apparently, that was supposed to work, but didn't, as it turns out the zinc rot is terminal... and a giant box of antiquities advanced to me by @Mike C.  Lots of original boxes and interesting odds and ends.
 


Thanks, Mike!


I'm going to run down to Woolco and see if I can pick up a few more of these!

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Seeing that SC Johnson car reminded me: if you EVER see the Rohm and Haas equivalent, PLEASE grab it for me. That goes for everyone. I've been looking for one of those for YEARS.

[mu26aeh]

No boxcar but here's a R&H tank car, $20 or best offer.  I doubt your best offer would get a look from them given the $20 BIN but never know

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125687524746

[Ed Kapuscinski]

No boxcar but here's a R&H tank car, $20 or best offer.  I doubt your best offer would get a look from them given the $20 BIN but never know

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125687524746

Whoa, that is something. I had never seen that before! Too bad the printing is so bad.