I've added this page with the timetable that we use for operating sessions on the GC&SF. I actually started this page about two years ago, but never completed the write-up.
Regards,
Ron
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Track and wheel cleaning
Over on his Little Rock Line blog, Allen H is experimenting with using graphite on his rails to improve electrical conductivity between the rails and loco wheels. As graphite is used as a dry lubricant, it seems to me that graphite will cause wheel slipping problems, but I'm nevertheless interested to see what Allen finds.
Rod has chimed in with an explanation of how we (in our little group) clean our wheels and tracks. We've both mentioned this process several times in online forums, but it always seems to be new to someone, so I've created this page to illustrate the process.
To be honest though, after reading the articles that Allen has linked to I'm wondering whether there's such a thing as having your track 'too clean'. There seems to be a lot of opinion that using graphite is the way to go. I'll be interested to see what Allen thinks after he's been using graphite for a few weeks.
Regards,
Ron
Rod has chimed in with an explanation of how we (in our little group) clean our wheels and tracks. We've both mentioned this process several times in online forums, but it always seems to be new to someone, so I've created this page to illustrate the process.
To be honest though, after reading the articles that Allen has linked to I'm wondering whether there's such a thing as having your track 'too clean'. There seems to be a lot of opinion that using graphite is the way to go. I'll be interested to see what Allen thinks after he's been using graphite for a few weeks.
Regards,
Ron
Thursday, 10 March 2016
I've been working on the railroad ....
Between my part-time job and working in the yard I've been pretty busy lately, but I've still managed to get some jobs done on the layout.
Last week I prepared car-cards and waybills for a bunch of new freight cars that I acquired over the past 18 months or so, so we can use them for future operating sessions.
By 1960 (the year I model) the Santa Fe was no longer painting cars in the "map/slogan" scheme, but box cars in that scheme were still quite common. These PS1 "Bx-57" cars from Atlas are (in my opinion) even nicer than the various models of AAR "map/slogan" cars that I have from Intermountain. I bought all 4 road numbers recently released by Atlas:
George Hollwedel told me that Atlas is intending to do another Bx-57 run with 4 more car numbers. Bring them on, I say.
I think that Intermountain has released these flat cars under their own label, but the six road numbers that I bought came from George Hollwedel.
These cars are also very nice, and I'm now looking for suitable loads for them. They make me want to also buy a few of the BLMA 60' Ft-7 flat cars for a little variety.
I've wanted some diesel-fuel tank cars to fuel my locos at Pauls Valley and Ardmore, for some time. I bought the decals to produce some myself, but when George Hollwedel commissioned a 3-pack set from MTL I grabbed a set from him instead:
Unlike the models of the Bx-57 and Ft-V cars, which are pretty accurate models of ATSF prototypes, these tank cars are just good stand-ins. But they capture the look very nicely, and will do until something better comes along.
The current operating timetable uses a 6:1 fast-time clock, and represents an "18-hour day". A complete operating session requires 3 hours of train running, split into two ("morning" and "afternoon") 90 minute segments each representing 9 real hours. However, when we add in extra time for 'show-and-tell' at the start of the evening, and a break for beans, a session can take over 4 hours if we run the full schedule. Needless to say, we usually end the session before all the trains are run, leaving me to sort out the mess the next day.
I'm planning to slow down the clock a little to either a 5:1 or 4:1 ratio, and only run one "9-hour" segment per operating session. We'll alternate between the "morning" and "afternoon" segments from one session to the next. A 5:1 ratio fast-time clock will require 1hr 48m of train running, and a 4:1 fast-time clock will require 2hr 15m of train running. Either one will probably be fine, and we can decide on the evening which way to go.
In addition to slowing the clock, I also want to add in two more trains. I already have the rolling stock to allow that, and the staging yard tracks will be available. I just have to make some small changes to the timetable.
Re-gauging the wheelsets (all of which were just a tad too tight) seems to have solved the problem with the Peco C80 points in hidden staging, but I will continue to conduct tests until I'm certain that I have 100% reliability.
At Dougherty I had yet another problem with myold friend arch nemesis, the southern-most ME turnout in the yard. It seems like every time I add a new loco, it has problems with that turnout. An hour or so of work has fixed the problem (but for how long, I wonder.) I am so-o-o tempted to replace the turnout with one of the newer DCC-friendly turnouts from ME.
Over at Wynnewood I found a totally different problem with an Atlas C55 turnout - one of the built-in jumpers connecting the stock rail to the closure rail had failed. I've experienced this problem before, with a turnout at Davis, and this afternoon I corrected it the same way. In the process I replaced half a dozen insulated rail joiners (left over from when that part of the layout was originally wired for DC/cab-control) with metal ones.
Just two days ago, John C and I were discussing that very problem with Atlas C55 turnouts. I think he jinxed me.
During all this testing I observed that the back end of the rear truck on the PB unit bobs up and down ever so slightly when the loco is creeping along. My guess is that one or both of the traction tyres on that axle are not quite seated properly. When I bought the locos I also bought a couple of extra axles without traction tyres so I could get rid of the tyres. Unfortunately, I've forgotten where I put them "for safe keeping".
If you're still with me, then thanks for reading.
Regards,
Ron
Added new freight cars:
Last week I prepared car-cards and waybills for a bunch of new freight cars that I acquired over the past 18 months or so, so we can use them for future operating sessions.
ATSF Bx-57 40' box-cars (Atlas PS1)
By 1960 (the year I model) the Santa Fe was no longer painting cars in the "map/slogan" scheme, but box cars in that scheme were still quite common. These PS1 "Bx-57" cars from Atlas are (in my opinion) even nicer than the various models of AAR "map/slogan" cars that I have from Intermountain. I bought all 4 road numbers recently released by Atlas:
George Hollwedel told me that Atlas is intending to do another Bx-57 run with 4 more car numbers. Bring them on, I say.
ATSF Ft-V 53'6" flat cars (Intermountain)
I think that Intermountain has released these flat cars under their own label, but the six road numbers that I bought came from George Hollwedel.
These cars are also very nice, and I'm now looking for suitable loads for them. They make me want to also buy a few of the BLMA 60' Ft-7 flat cars for a little variety.
ATSF Tk-L fuel service tank cars (Micro-Trains)
I've wanted some diesel-fuel tank cars to fuel my locos at Pauls Valley and Ardmore, for some time. I bought the decals to produce some myself, but when George Hollwedel commissioned a 3-pack set from MTL I grabbed a set from him instead:
Unlike the models of the Bx-57 and Ft-V cars, which are pretty accurate models of ATSF prototypes, these tank cars are just good stand-ins. But they capture the look very nicely, and will do until something better comes along.
Planning for a timetable revision
The current operating timetable uses a 6:1 fast-time clock, and represents an "18-hour day". A complete operating session requires 3 hours of train running, split into two ("morning" and "afternoon") 90 minute segments each representing 9 real hours. However, when we add in extra time for 'show-and-tell' at the start of the evening, and a break for beans, a session can take over 4 hours if we run the full schedule. Needless to say, we usually end the session before all the trains are run, leaving me to sort out the mess the next day.
I'm planning to slow down the clock a little to either a 5:1 or 4:1 ratio, and only run one "9-hour" segment per operating session. We'll alternate between the "morning" and "afternoon" segments from one session to the next. A 5:1 ratio fast-time clock will require 1hr 48m of train running, and a 4:1 fast-time clock will require 2hr 15m of train running. Either one will probably be fine, and we can decide on the evening which way to go.
In addition to slowing the clock, I also want to add in two more trains. I already have the rolling stock to allow that, and the staging yard tracks will be available. I just have to make some small changes to the timetable.
BLI PA/PB
As mentioned in my last post, my sound-equipped BLI PA/PB locos couldn't make it around my layout without stalling on some of the turnouts. My main concern was with my Peco C80 points in my hidden staging yards, but I also found that they had problems with some of the (visible) turnouts at Wynnewood and Dougherty. I can't use these beautiful locos for an operating session until these problems are resolved.Re-gauging the wheelsets (all of which were just a tad too tight) seems to have solved the problem with the Peco C80 points in hidden staging, but I will continue to conduct tests until I'm certain that I have 100% reliability.
At Dougherty I had yet another problem with my
Over at Wynnewood I found a totally different problem with an Atlas C55 turnout - one of the built-in jumpers connecting the stock rail to the closure rail had failed. I've experienced this problem before, with a turnout at Davis, and this afternoon I corrected it the same way. In the process I replaced half a dozen insulated rail joiners (left over from when that part of the layout was originally wired for DC/cab-control) with metal ones.
Just two days ago, John C and I were discussing that very problem with Atlas C55 turnouts. I think he jinxed me.
During all this testing I observed that the back end of the rear truck on the PB unit bobs up and down ever so slightly when the loco is creeping along. My guess is that one or both of the traction tyres on that axle are not quite seated properly. When I bought the locos I also bought a couple of extra axles without traction tyres so I could get rid of the tyres. Unfortunately, I've forgotten where I put them "for safe keeping".
If you're still with me, then thanks for reading.
Regards,
Ron
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Trains are back!!
I had arranged for a friend to come over today to help me seal the timber decks, but the forecast top temperature of 38C put an end to that idea.
Instead, after finishing my daily chores, I headed down to the train room and cleaned the layout. It was actually a lot less dusty than I had expected, although the thousands of dead ants and spiders scattered about made the layout look like it was used to film both Them and Tarantula.
Once I'd done with the vacuum cleaner, I wiped down the mainline with lighter fluid using a cloth wrapped around a small block of wood.
Then I set up my track-cleaning train - four track cleaning cars (my own Huey, Dewey and Louie plus a borrowed Aztec car) sandwiched between a pair of SD24s, and set it to doing laps around the layout:
The two end cars are home-made sliders. The pads are rectangles of masonite held loosely in place by nails that run up through holes in the floor of the cars. At the top of each nail I fitted a fishing sinker by squeezing it to the nail with pliers.
The holes in the car floor are just wide enough for the nails to slide freely. The sinker glued to the car floor holds the car on the track, and the sinkers on the nails press the masonite pad onto the rails.
The red car is an Atlas promotional car body that I mounted on a Roco track-cleaning car mechanism:
The fourth car in the consist is made by Aztec, and I borrowed it from a friend (Graham) in case I needed extra grunt to clean the track. It can be filled with fluid, and it has a magnet to pick up any metallic material that might be laying on the track. You can just make out small bits of metal clinging to the rectangular magnet in the photo below.
After every few laps around the layout I clean the pads and the loco wheels, which do much of the cleaning. When the loco wheels no longer get dirty, I know the track is good to go.
Here's a video I made of the track-cleaning train in operation:
Instead, after finishing my daily chores, I headed down to the train room and cleaned the layout. It was actually a lot less dusty than I had expected, although the thousands of dead ants and spiders scattered about made the layout look like it was used to film both Them and Tarantula.
Once I'd done with the vacuum cleaner, I wiped down the mainline with lighter fluid using a cloth wrapped around a small block of wood.
Then I set up my track-cleaning train - four track cleaning cars (my own Huey, Dewey and Louie plus a borrowed Aztec car) sandwiched between a pair of SD24s, and set it to doing laps around the layout:
The two end cars are home-made sliders. The pads are rectangles of masonite held loosely in place by nails that run up through holes in the floor of the cars. At the top of each nail I fitted a fishing sinker by squeezing it to the nail with pliers.
The holes in the car floor are just wide enough for the nails to slide freely. The sinker glued to the car floor holds the car on the track, and the sinkers on the nails press the masonite pad onto the rails.
The red car is an Atlas promotional car body that I mounted on a Roco track-cleaning car mechanism:
The fourth car in the consist is made by Aztec, and I borrowed it from a friend (Graham) in case I needed extra grunt to clean the track. It can be filled with fluid, and it has a magnet to pick up any metallic material that might be laying on the track. You can just make out small bits of metal clinging to the rectangular magnet in the photo below.
After every few laps around the layout I clean the pads and the loco wheels, which do much of the cleaning. When the loco wheels no longer get dirty, I know the track is good to go.
Here's a video I made of the track-cleaning train in operation:
Once I was satisfied that the mainline was safe to run trains around, I broke out my BLI PA/B locomotives. I bought these locos about two years ago, just before we demolished the old house; but I barely had time to even test that they worked before the electrical power to my train room was disconnected.
Both my units are powered, and have sound. A single powered A unit (plus a dummy B unit) would have been much cheaper, but is not able to pull one of my passenger trains up the inclines from the staging yards. This is only the second time I've run these locos and I still have to adjust the sound levels. Here's how they looked and sounded:
I tried to sound the horn at the grade crossings, but I couldn't do that and hold the camera (phone) steady at the same time.
Unfortunately, the PAs stall on one of the turnouts under the layout, so I have some work to do on that turnout before they can be used for an operating session.
Thanks for looking in.
Ron
Friday, 5 February 2016
Peter's HOn3 layout
Today I had the pleasure of operating on Peter's HOn3 "D&RGW" layout. Peter's layout is a 'work in progress' and the modelling is superb. He has completed scenery on about one-third of the layout.
Peter has a collection of some beautiful rolling stock, including a bunch of Blackstone HOn3 steam locomotives that operate and sound every bit as good as they look. He also has a large collection of very nice scratch-built buildings.
Here are some photos that I took using my trusty phone camera.
Peter has a collection of some beautiful rolling stock, including a bunch of Blackstone HOn3 steam locomotives that operate and sound every bit as good as they look. He also has a large collection of very nice scratch-built buildings.
Here are some photos that I took using my trusty phone camera.
Peter is in the process of adding CC&WB operation, and I'm looking forward to getting down there again to do some 'serious' switching when it's done.
Thanks for hosting today, Peter. I was very impressed.
(Hmmm ... I wonder what I could sell my N scale stuff for ..?)
Ron
Thursday, 4 February 2016
LocoNet fixed!
Following on from yesterday's post ...
I bought a new power-board, one with both overload and surge protection, and replaced the one that I suspected of being faulty. Now the LocoNet works just as it should.
As I was carrying the old power-board to the bin I heard something rattling around inside the case. I think I was lucky to have not had a more serious incident.
Many thanks to Brendan for diagnosing the problem.
Ron
I bought a new power-board, one with both overload and surge protection, and replaced the one that I suspected of being faulty. Now the LocoNet works just as it should.
As I was carrying the old power-board to the bin I heard something rattling around inside the case. I think I was lucky to have not had a more serious incident.
Many thanks to Brendan for diagnosing the problem.
Ron
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Some good news, .. and some not so good news.
It has been more than two years since we had the last operating session on the GC&SF. When Beth and I demolished our old house we expected to be in the new one within nine months. Well, that nine months turned out to be eighteen months, but we finally moved into the new house last December.
Today I moved out the last of the house-hold stuff we were storing in my train room, and then gave the carpet tiles a bit of a clean with the vacuum cleaner. They really need some industrial strength cleaning, especially around the door-way which collected a lot of mud over the last 18 months as we came and went. With the carpet cleaned (more or less), the room actually looked quite presentable, and I couldn't resist the temptation to see whether the DCC system would operate.
I was greatly encouraged when I turned on the DCS100 and the track power indicator LEDs lit up right around the room!! However, my glee turned to disappointment when I plugged in a UT4 and its status light didn't come on. My second UT4 did no better, and neither did my DT402D when I plugged it in.
Next I powered on the UR92 to check whether I had wireless control. I placed a battery in my DT402D and then plugged it into the UR92. It correctly reported "GC&SF"!
Then I dialled up the nearest loco I could see on the layout - an FT A/B numbered 126. The headlight came on, and the loco crept forward as I turned the speed knob. As the track is quite dusty, I only travelled a few inches - just enough to confirm operation.
Well, at least I had wireless operation, even if the LocoNet isn't working.
After dinner I called Mister Wizard for advice. He thought that perhaps the LocoNet throttle jacks were not receiving any power.
"A possibility", I said as I had added a separate power supply to feed the jacks as shown here.
As Brendan suspected, I found that the plug pack was not supplying current to the bus wires. I initially thought it had failed, but after removing it and doing some bench testing, it seems fine. Then I remembered that I'd had a similar problem before with the previous plug-pack, and that it later tested okay as well. It's late now, so when I get home from work tomorrow I will take a look at the power board I am using there to share power with the DCS100.
Ron
Today I moved out the last of the house-hold stuff we were storing in my train room, and then gave the carpet tiles a bit of a clean with the vacuum cleaner. They really need some industrial strength cleaning, especially around the door-way which collected a lot of mud over the last 18 months as we came and went. With the carpet cleaned (more or less), the room actually looked quite presentable, and I couldn't resist the temptation to see whether the DCC system would operate.
I was greatly encouraged when I turned on the DCS100 and the track power indicator LEDs lit up right around the room!! However, my glee turned to disappointment when I plugged in a UT4 and its status light didn't come on. My second UT4 did no better, and neither did my DT402D when I plugged it in.
Next I powered on the UR92 to check whether I had wireless control. I placed a battery in my DT402D and then plugged it into the UR92. It correctly reported "GC&SF"!
Then I dialled up the nearest loco I could see on the layout - an FT A/B numbered 126. The headlight came on, and the loco crept forward as I turned the speed knob. As the track is quite dusty, I only travelled a few inches - just enough to confirm operation.
Well, at least I had wireless operation, even if the LocoNet isn't working.
After dinner I called Mister Wizard for advice. He thought that perhaps the LocoNet throttle jacks were not receiving any power.
"A possibility", I said as I had added a separate power supply to feed the jacks as shown here.
As Brendan suspected, I found that the plug pack was not supplying current to the bus wires. I initially thought it had failed, but after removing it and doing some bench testing, it seems fine. Then I remembered that I'd had a similar problem before with the previous plug-pack, and that it later tested okay as well. It's late now, so when I get home from work tomorrow I will take a look at the power board I am using there to share power with the DCS100.
Ron
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