D&H Champlain Div Version 4

[bdennis]

Gary, I have not used the dispatcher in JMRI and plan for the "Dispatcher person"to manually set the routes.

I have since updated the icons that need to be clicked to set the route.
Here is a more up to date picture of the panel.

[bdennis]

This weekend I managed to get more work done on the JMRI panel.
I planned out all the ports on the various boards around the layout to drive the siganls.
I then created all the signal heads. (112 in total - Some hidden but most are on the layout.
Then I created signal masts from the heads.. As I am using D&H signals, all masts have at least 2 heads.. (78 in total)
The I created the logic behind it using JMRI auto discover functions once the signals were placed in the right places on the panel.

Im working through an issue where the max speed or least restrictive speed indication is Approach medium.. I think it has to do with track speeds somewhere in JMRI.. Will continue to work the issue and with some help from the good folk on the Gorups.IO/JMRI page I'm sure the solution is simple.

here is a picture of the panel showing 2 routes set from each end of the layout with a meet set up in Plattsburgh.

[bdennis]

More work on the JMRI panel this week to develop / adjust the signalling system and removing some aspects that I don't need from the AAR-1946 system that is pre built in JMRI.
Here are a few pictures showing 2 trains progressing in both directions on the layout with routes set.

[bdennis]

Update.. Panel file now working as expected with the signalling issue resolved. Turns out that while JMRI will use a user supplied Appearance file in the user folder, it wont use a user supplied aspects file. Once I replaced the JMRI Aspects file the panel worked as planned.
Here is a screen capture of a number of trains on the layout with 2 opposing routes set. This is effectively APB and dispatcher controlled.


I can now move to the next set up with a few minor changes and delete of the NX routes, I can turn the panel into a ABS panel for when I want to run the layout by my self and have the signals just operate depending on block occupancy and turnout settings.
Note the white and Green NX "buttons'" / icons are now hidden from view.


Now for some more testing on the layout.

Then onto other tasks such as adding weight to cars to bring them up to or much closer to NMRA standards.

[bdennis]

In order to achieve a good running layout, I think it is wise to bring all the rolling stock up to a standard in weight. I chose to fairly closely follow the NMRA weight standard for rolling stock.
I have spent the last few days weighing each car on the layout. At this point probably 300 cars in total.
I found most of the newer Microtrains 50ft cars and some 40ft cars are on spec, but all the Atlas cars are under as is older rolling stock from Minitrix etc.

I have had a tub of lead shot (from 12 gauge shot gun cartridges) in my drawer for many years and decided to find the best way to add weight. In the majority of cases 2 x Zinc plated 5/16th hexagon nuts super glued to the floor of cover hoppers, coal cars and box cars did the trick. In some cases 2 x 3/8th nuts for the lighter cars. For the gons I either added a load that has some weight about it, or added the lead shot to the underside of the car and super glued it in place. For tank cars, I simply loaded them with lead shot up to the right weight and reassembled them. For the Atlas 90t coal hoppers with coal load, the load has 2 internal posts so I just placed the nut over the post to stop it float around in the car and placed the load back in place.

[bdennis]

Spent a bit of time creating a video to show how the JMRI Panel works with NX routes.
Note: The quality is better if played directly from Youtube rather than via the plug in here.

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I also created a second panel file from the NX route file and removed the NX routes so that the signals would work automatically when I'm running the layout by my self.

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[bdennis]

Completed some updates to my fleet of LifeLike Alco C424's

Added some under walkway detail to close the gap between the body and the trucks.
Evergreen H beam (slightly modified) did the trick.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Completed some updates to my fleet of LifeLike Alco C424's

Added some under walkway detail to close the gap between the body and the trucks.
Evergreen H beam (slightly modified) did the trick.

It makes a HUGE difference! I honestly don't know why they didn't do that in the first place.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Big tick from me Brendan.
Did it on my Intermountain SD40's and it made a huge difference.
Good to see you back enjoying the hobby.
Rod.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Big tick from me Brendan.
Did it on my Intermountain SD40's and it made a huge difference.
Good to see you back enjoying the hobby.
Rod.

Amen to THAT!

BTW, if anyone else wants to try the same thing, I HIGHLY recommend using these:
http://www.keystonedetails.com/keystone-customs/2020/1/27/n-scale-intermountain-emd-sd4045-2-dress-up-kit-zjcdg

They've got the right cut outs for the cab tabs, have a bell AND have an air drier as well.

They make a huge difference.

[bdennis]

More progress on the signalling install. This weekend I built a bunch of sub boards that enable easy install with screw terminals and also include the relevant resistor size for the LED's Im using.

The work bench..


Boards built. As can be seen, the design improved over time. The boards with only 3 ports are for Dwarf signals that are not near any others.


Ready for install.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Always love to see your projects take shape.
Neat boards.
Cannot wait to be let out and come over for a visit with the rest of the crew whenever that might be.
Rod.

[bdennis]

Been busy building a bespoke set of dwarf signals for my hidden staging as they cant be seen from engineer's view.
I made them so there is a lense in the top of the tube so a 1:1 scale engineer can see they are clear to depart staging. They are not prototypical, but needs = must.



They cant be seen by a human from this view. But they do have hoods and can be seen by a N scale engineer. They were pushed down to about track level after this shot was taken.


See my blog for how they were made. http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com/

Have also been busy installing main line and intermediate signals on the layout. More to go.






I built all the signals with custom etchings to make the D&H specific double mast units.

About 16 main line signals both single and double to be installed along with about 10 more dwarf signals.

[Cajonpassfan]

Impressive!
Otto K.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That is really cool.