Weekend Update 4/8/18

[nkalanaga]

Peteski:  The ones I remember using the phrase "runner's scale" weren't thinking of operations.  They were thinking of running trains - round and round!

Admittedly, a lot of the early N scale wasn't good for much else, because if you stopped the train, it might not start again, at least without a push.  But there were a few early locos that would run well enough for switching, if the track was clean.  I switched for years with a set of Minitrix Fs wired together, and the old Arnold FA was a great running loco, even if it did look a little out of scale.

[BCR 570]

Max:

Congratulations on completing your project; I look forward to seeing it in person when you come up in May.  I particularly like the results with the black paint; steam locomotives are never really jet black, are they.

Tim

[BCR 570]

ALCO C-420 No. 632 came home today after a period of time away for conversion to sound.  Gone is the TCS AMD-4 decoder; it now has an ESU LokSound Micro Select and speaker with the sound file for the ALCO 251 12 cylinder engine.  It also received replacement MU hoses for several which went missing, a replacement horn for the original which disappeared, and an engineer in the cab.  You can see his elbow on the armrest in the photograph below.

As always, thanks to John Colombo for his advice and guidance, and Dave Mackinnon for the decoder install and programming.  I currently have twelve BCR locomotives on the roster and this is the sixth to get sound, so I am now halfway there.

No. 632 is pictured here at Chetwynd after its return trip north:




Another recent achievement is the establishment of a computer interface for the layout  I purchased a used laptop and loaded it with the JMRI Decoder Pro software, and purchased the Lenz LI-USB Interface module.  It went together and started running seamlessly with no fuss.  I can now read and program decoders on the computer, and can activate the Wi Throttle server to run trains with my iPhone.  I am currently creating my roster in JMRI and reading all the decoders.  The computer and interface module are seen here:




With twelve engines to read, the shop tracks at Chetwynd are a little crowded at present:




My next task is to complete my program track build and connect it to a switch which will alternate between the program bus and the track bus.


Tim

[central.vermont]

My next task is to complete my program track build and connect it to a switch which will alternate between the program bus and the track bus.


Tim

Tim,
Be sure to use a DPDT Center off toggle switch when you do this.
Jon

[fcnrwy23]

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/04/a_train_full_of_jersey_feces_is_laying_waste_to_an_alabama_town.html

What?  Its in a Parrish?   Holy S*&t!

Sorry,  I know that was lame..    Just couldn't resist ...

Jerry G.

[fcnrwy23]

Nice, Max.  Very nice.

Almost hate to post following that, but life goes on.

Here's the current state of the Sub:



Drywall work completed and first paint applied.  They are still working on replacing ceiling tiles, finding it almost impossible to get undamaged tiles (at $3 each) from Lowes.  Also floor is going in the south room.

All that big hole was not caused by the disaster - it was close by the track in this area, and I thought I'd do a revamp while I was at it.  So yes, I did some modeling last week.  Or destruction.  Cleaned up around the Bealville ranch also...



A closer shot of the ripped out hill.



And I don't think this will be all that much trouble to fix; I used cardboard between the tracks and it dropped away when prodded; figure to stuff weatherstripping up from below and reballast.  Sure am glad I keep extra on hand!

Glad it Survived!
Excellent Work!

Jerry G.

[reinhardtjh]

My next task is to complete my program track build and connect it to a switch which will alternate between the program bus and the track bus.

Tim,
Be sure to use a DPDT Center off toggle switch when you do this.
Jon

Or even a 4PDT switch with an isolation section.  Locos tend to creep when being read and if they creep across the line from programming to regular track it can have dire consequences for the command station.

I program on a separate section of Unitrack that is about 24" long connected to my LokProgrammer or Sprog v3 (depending on the task) and it's not unusual to have a loco move from one end to the other and have to be set back again.  It all depends on how many CV reading and settings are done.

The DCC Wiki has an example: https://dccwiki.com/Programming_Track#Isolating_the_Programming_Track

[BCR 570]

Tim,
Be sure to use a DPDT Center off toggle switch when you do this.
Jon

Yes, already have it on hand and wired with the necessary leads.

I program on a separate section of Unitrack

Exactly what I am doing, as I wanted the locomotive down on my desk next to the laptop so I can see what is going on.


Thank you for the advice,

Tim

[jpwisc]

I had a little time today so I built a Showcase Miniatures trailer for my Mini-Excavator (designed by @Baldylox).

[coosvalley]

Well, Max wins The Railwire, hands down.

I"ve been nibbling away at some scenery and structure projects, see more in my layout thread..Have a great week!

[Jim Starbuck]

I finally finished the Fairbanks Morse H10-44.
It's a Shapeways shell on an Atlas VO1000 mechanism with a Lokpilot Nano hardwired decoder.
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[SAH]

Nice work on the MILW unit Jim.  Well done handrail work.  It's tough to get that right.

Double bonus train stuff this weekend.  Ranson WV show Saturday and the Sykesville & Potapsco club Railway(s) today.  I walked beautiful downtown Sykesville and CSX was good enough to send a freight through.

[randgust]

Got my ATSFNSCALEMODELS Tk-G car painted and finished.

While the ones uses for fuel oil and liquids transport were heavily weathered, some of the work train ones were downright pristine after the aluminum dip.  Not sure if I'll leave it this way or not, but for now, I'm done.



And congrat's Max, that's where the bar sits now, you've set it.   We'll all remember where this thread is the next time we're compelled to put some HO scaler in their place...

[Mike Madonna]

I finally finished the Fairbanks Morse H10-44.
It's a Shapeways shell on an Atlas VO1000 mechanism with a Lokpilot Nano hardwired decoder.
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Jim, looks good! How do you like that LokPilot Nano decoder? Motor control similar to the other ESU decoders?

[altohorn25]

Just got back from picking up this module from Ohio (won it off ebay).  The gentleman that built it modeled it after the Dante yard from the old Model Railroader Clinchfield layout.  I'm going to modify it a bit to show off my Pennsy equipment.  I'll build a second module to go behind it with a curve module on each end so that I can have continuous running as I plan on taking it to local shows when I finish it.  Lots of work to do on it, but I had to get some trains on it and take some photos after my 14 hour road trip.

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