The Transcontinental PRR

[eric220]

I'm still assembling materials to build the hump yard, so I diverted attention to another project.  You may remember this cryptic comment in the "Viewing Signals on Layout During Operation" thread, in response to the suggestion that I duplicate all 100+ signal arms on my layout with PL's on the facia.

That will be cost prohibitive, not to mention some logistical issues with mounting. I did think of another option that I've been tossing around. More on that after I have a chance to explore the concept a bit.

That germ of an idea was to replicate the PL signals on the layout with repeaters on the facia patterned after PRR cab signals, specifically the one in GG-1 4935.



I used a friend's 3D ABS plastic printer to print the parts, added some electronics, and came up with this:

More details here:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=30991.0

[eric220]

After months of inactivity, there has finally been a work session on the PRR!  I hosted the Gandy Dancers last night.  Half of the crew worked on wiring up block detectors.  I'm planning on building the JMRI panel to drive the signals as one of the next steps on the railroad.  The idea will be to install the facia repeaters as we install the facia, thereby giving us a fully signaled railroad without having to build 100+ scale signal heads on scale bridges over the tracks.  The scale signals can then follow as time and availability allows.

The other half of the crew began work on the passenger terminal throat.  I installed the switches leading from the mains to the throat several months ago, but now I've got double track almost up to the main throat that DKS was so kind to help me hash out many moons ago.



Now I've just got to hook up the feeders, install a little more cork, and I can lay down the #10's to test run the main passenger terminal throat.

[eric220]

I've really been slacking on the empire here.  I've been doing some wiring here and there, and the facia repeater project is nearing a live test stage, but there's nothing terribly photogenic or newsworthy.  Instead, I thought I'd update the thread with the latest iteration of the full plan.

The upper level (which is built except for the passenger terminal and facilities):


And the lower level:

[Philip H]

Hubba hubba. That lower level yard is Ed's Nirvana. You should make sure to include a red haired hipster yard master in the tower controlling it.

[eric220]

Just to show that I haven't been totally slacking on the empire... Nothing above the plywood to show, but I have been busy on some behind the scenes stuff.  Over the last year or so (OK, so I have been MOSTLY slacking) the Gandy Dancers have hooked up the block detectors to the RR Cir-kits detector cards from the west end of the layout through to KEY interlocking in Colorado.  Last week I buckled down and did epic battle with programming the Tower Controllers until I had all of the block detectors reporting unique numbers.  Tonight, I made a quick'n'dirty test panel that simply shows the occupancy on a diagram of the layout.



This shows the Pennsylvania Limited coming down the decline into upper staging.  It's rudimentary, but it shows that the sensors are working reliably.  The final implementation will look very different.

The next steps here are to acquire another Tower Controller to which the rest of the block detectors for the upper level will be attached.  At the same time, I have enough detection here to proceed with my signaling experiments.  More on that later...

[seusscaboose]

Nice


So remind me.... When do Op's start?

[eric220]

I've actually had the capacity to do ops since linking to the Coors brewery. Unfortunately, I like passenger trains, which are currently taking up space in the freight yard. I need to build the terminal throat and tracks to get them out of the way before I can try operating the upper level local.

[seusscaboose]

You using Atlas C55?

If yes, I've been waiting 2 years for enough stock to finish Sunnyside.

EP

[eric220]

Yes, but I have a strategic supply. I should be able to finish it at will, I just need the will...

[eric220]

It seems that I have found both time and will to work on the railroad. This afternoon I finished up the highly controversial station throat.



Or as seen from the glad handle:



And before anyone makes any jokes about the CSX-worthy track work, everything is just lying in place temporarily at the moment. Final installation may vary.

[John]

And before anyone makes any jokes about the CSX-worthy track work, everything is just lying in place temporarily at the moment. Final installation may vary.

Oh .. I thought you were modeling the PC

Looks good .. about $100 in that section

[eric220]

I have not been idle these past few weeks. I've been working on the facia repeaters, and with input from Max and Peteski, I got it to here:



They've helped me realize that the PLs will not work the way they're currently wired up. I'm going to have to go back and redo all of them, and that's kind of dampened my enthusiasm for the project for the moment.

In other layout news, I've been installing the cork sheets that will go under the passenger terminal. I got the last one in this afternoon, and I laid out and drilled all of the needed holes for the turnouts in the throat.



Next, I need to take stock of how many supplies I have for installing the track. Some, such as caulk and tortoises are easy enough to replenish, but others, like C55 rail joiners, may be harder.

[eric220]

Got a little more work done this morning.  The Pennsylvania Station, River City throat is fully installed.



Everything beyond the rerailers is only temporarily installed, so again, no CSX track laying jokes.

I backed the Pennsylvania Limited consist through all 10 routes with nary a hiccup.  (I even accidentally ran through an 11th alignment that won't be used.)  Keep in mind, there are no turnout motors installed yet, so the points were floating.  The clickity-clack of the metal wheelsets across the frogs and the snaking of the train through the turnouts was pure railroad porn!

[davefoxx]

Eric,

That's sexy.  But, there may be a slight kink just before the first turnout on the left (right near the points).  If it's running well, though, it's probably not a problem except photogenically.

What's the length of the passenger trains that you will be able to hold on each track once the yard is completed?

DFF

[3DTrains]

Eric did say the track was only temporarily installed.

Cheers!
Marc