Union Station module build (NITGFMRNS!)

[peteski]

I'm also getting to the point that working under layouts isn't fun anymore. When I work on NTRAK modules I set them vertically on their long side (either on my old Black&Decker Workmate^TM or on my table saw surface and clamp it so it can't fall over. Then I can do all the work on the now vertical bottom surface.

I measured several of my friends Tortoise throw rods (music wire) with a digital caliper and it seems that he used 2 sizes: 0.045" and 0.039". Those seem like odd sizes for typical hobby shop music wire, but that is what the caliper showed.  According to https://www.sizes.com/materials/wire_music.htm those are valid sizes.

[Jim Costello]

 0.039" and 0.047 are common K&S size music wires available from most hobby stores

[peteski]

0.039" and 0.047 are common K&S size music wires available from most hobby stores

Ah, I didn't check, and those somehow seemed odd to me.

[x600]

The good news is that I didn't have to do any linkages to make everything fit/ The better news is that we were able to get all the tortoise machines mounted and most of the blue points in. I did have to make a few zig zags in the throw rods to fit a few in the tight spots, but they all work! Tomorrow we'll put the rest of the blue points in on the mountain and then start hooking up the throw rods, then on to the skyboard paint.
                         










The tortoises are on the mainline switches and the concourse ladder and are operated by the logic in the control panel. The blue points are used on the coach yard and bypass track to operate the dwarf signals showing switch position. The electro-magicians say it will work.

Greg O.....

[x600]

The West Module is close to being ready for the electrical wizards.
 The pulls for the blue points are finished and ready for install tomorrow. There was a lot of fiddling around to make it this far with them. A bit of trial and lots of error, but I think I done good.






I got the sky boards painted and all the holes for the knob holes located.



My last task on this module will be masking the switches and painting the rails.
We also got the holes drilled for the west end signal bridge. I since dusted off the passenger cars because it'll be a while until the car wash rack will be operational. (sorry George!)




Greg O.......

[x600]

A milestone achieved today, the West Modules is complete and was loaded in The Moose and taken to the UP. (University Place) The electro-maniacs will take it from there. Yesterday I painted the track, actually spent time cleaning and recleaning my airbrush. My fault. It's been a while since I used it, so I had to relearn how it went together right and somehow the paint kept clogging. I strained it and mixed in a little more thinner and it finally worked perfectly.
I managed to get paint all over me and my workspace. It's all cleaned up with only a few remnants of the chaos. I also got the door skin facia on and painted and the piece of plexiglass that protects the signal bridge cut and mounted.
 The West Module has the most complex layout so it's nice to know that the next 3 sections will be easier.
 This morning after I loaded the module I took some time to clean up the mess.
There won't be any progress for the next few weeks as Mrs. x600 and I are taking a 10-day road trip hitting Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California. I'll be able to check the Cumbres and Toltec off my list.
 


Greg O.

[x600]

Hey everyone, I'm still alive and kicking. Finally decided to take some time to update the module progress for those that are still following along.
First thing is that we had a great trip through the Desert Southwest. I got to see a bunch of cool things, but the two items on my list were not open yet. Cumbres and Toltec didn't open until the following weekend, but we stopped at the shops in Antonito and then followed the line down to Chama. I decided to place this on the top of my bucket list as a place to return to and take the train ride. The other place was the Harvey Museum in Belen, but that was closed for roof replacement. Maybe next time. I did get to visit with George ( @nickelplate759 ) in Tucson and saw the progress on the Nickel Plate ish. Maybe next time I'm there we can run a train. 
Got back and after dealing with irrigation problems here at Rancho Da Nada, I got back to work on the next module. Since there was not as many switches, and mostly straight through tracks it went a little easier. I still had a few minor things to get done but it was ready for it's ride to the electrical shop in UP and a reconnection with the West Module.



I wanted to point out the way I set up to match the modules up without too much fuss because of all the tracks that must match up vertically. I used some 3/8th ID aluminum tube with 3/8th bolts and wingnuts. I drilled 1/2 in holes through both the frame ends while they were clamped together and drove a short length of tube through both modules. With the modules unclamped, I separated them enough to cut the tubes flush. The tubes were epoxied in the holes and a little filing and sanding the bolts were tapped through and the wing nuts tightened. The tracks lined up perfectly. I rolled some cars across
the joint and was very happy with the results. The bolts and wing nuts are stored in a block with holes mounted under the modules so the are always ready.
 





The Station Module track was painted, the skyboard installed, the Blue Points installed and the holes drilled for the pulls.
I sent the module north without the pulls as I had to wait until the long .039 music wire came in so I could assemble more pulls. I can install them later as I had a few long ones to install on the west module. I ordered the wire direct from K&S as there weren't any available locally.
I spent the last few weeks (between irrigation issues and squirrel issues that intersected) I started laying the track on the East Module that has the East Concourse Ladder, the passenger car and diesel shop and service tracks.



Yesterday, Mike ( @delamaize ) brought over the final module in the set. This corner will have a turntable, 4 stall roundhouse and the steam service tracks. Alot will be crammed in , and the design has not been finalized, but we'll make it all fit, cause that's how we roll!



Stand by, more to come

Greg O.

[John]

Nice progress. My son and I did the C&T about 10 years ago and it was a blast. Definitely go back to see it the museum in Belen is definitely worth a visit. There was a Mexican restaurant right across the street that I can recommend for some great food and as a pitstop before or after the museum.

[x600]

Thanks, John. The restaurant across the street was called Pete's and was closed as we were there early in the morning.
 Later when I was checking my MAPS ap, I saw that 2 blocks away was the NM Model Railroad Museum. That was probably closed too.  Next time we'll try to hit all three.
 I got the east side of the concourse ladder in and the Post Office and car shop leads in. Before I go farther, I want to go back and put in the feeders and filler ties. last time it was a little overwhelming going back and fiddling with that.




After that I will lay the engine house tracks, connect the ladder to the bypass track, then the lead to the steam shops.




The easy work will be done and I'll have to dive in to the hard part, Laying the track for the east interlocking. It's not that it is hard to lay the track, just that it requires extra care making sure everything lines up and is smooth and flat. I managed it on the other end, just not looking forward to it. Maybe I can procrastinate and go do some yard work in the shade.

 


I am looking forward to taking the corner outside and attacking it with power tools to get the old scenery cleaned off.

Thanks for riding along!

Greg O.....