Weekend Update - 23 March 2008

[Chulvis]

As I've been asked to demonstrate DCC programing at the upcoming Brisbane Train show, I decided I needed an "off the layout" programming track. So over the last week I've come up with this:

I now can program and test decoder equiped locos and alter sound files in Loksound locos.

I need one of these in the shop! Great idea.

[bsoplinger]

As I've been asked to demonstrate DCC programing at the upcoming Brisbane Train show, I decided I needed an "off the layout" programming track. So over the last week I've come up with this:

[Pictures removed]

I now can program and test decoder equiped locos and alter sound files in Loksound locos.

Umm, that's a nice compact setup, but don't the SPROG II and the Loksound programmer each need a PC hookup to actually do anything? I.e., that setup isn't all you have to tote around to actually get the job done?

[UP_Phill]

As I've been asked to demonstrate DCC programing at the upcoming Brisbane Train show, I decided I needed an "off the layout" programming track. So over the last week I've come up with this:

[Pictures removed]

I now can program and test decoder equiped locos and alter sound files in Loksound locos.

Umm, that's a nice compact setup, but don't the SPROG II and the Loksound programmer each need a PC hookup to actually do anything? I.e., that setup isn't all you have to tote around to actually get the job done?

Normally it's hooked up to my main pc via USB. The Sprog uses a normal USB lead whilst the Lokprogrammer uses a Prolific USB to Serial adapter. I take my wifes laptop with me if I have to use it away from home.

[Hyperion]

As I've been asked to demonstrate DCC programing at the upcoming Brisbane Train show, I decided I needed an "off the layout" programming track. So over the last week I've come up with this:

[Pictures removed]

I now can program and test decoder equiped locos and alter sound files in Loksound locos.

Umm, that's a nice compact setup, but don't the SPROG II and the Loksound programmer each need a PC hookup to actually do anything? I.e., that setup isn't all you have to tote around to actually get the job done?

Nothing a laptop couldn't handle.  Or even a UMPC.  A UMPC, like Asus' Eee, would be way more than sufficient to do what people need to do with their various decoder programs, are only a couple hundred bucks, and are only about 6"x8" and 2 pounds.  Easily toted around with a small setup like that.

[mmyers]

I now can program and test decoder equiped locos and alter sound files in Loksound locos.

Nice rig. That would come in handy on the programming table in Louisville.

Martin Myers

[absnut]

I've always thought it would be nice to have a B&M class S-1 (Mudsucker) and, finally, the Concor 2-10-2 gave me a good starting point.  However, the Concor version is about 10' too long. Neither desiring not having the talent to perform surgery on the frame to shorten it, I decided to just try to change/add some of the significant details to, at least, make it resemble an S-1. Thanks to a spare Bachmann 4-8-4 tender truck, I was able to locate a suitable wheel/axle set and add the distinctive inside bearing trailing truck the S-1's had, today. The B&M sold several to the Maine Central which explains the livery.





Dick

[Norm P]

I haven't done any physical work on the layout, but I've spent quite a bit of time on the intarwebs trying to dig up some G-2 on the railroading scene in Chicago, specifically as it relates to the IHB and/or Belt Railway of Chicago and industries served by those.

[wm3798]

Finished Bobcat's decoder installations with this one...  We'll be reuniting him with his fleet shortly!
I've spent most of today sorting through the millions of photos I've taken of the layout, from the first screw driven into the benchwork through the ops session two weeks ago...  I'm starting a Picasa album that you'll be able watch in a slide show...  As soon as I have it together I'll post a link... It'll probably be a good way to cure insomnia...

Lee

[bobcat]

Got some more scenery done at the club this week in the city section. I must remember to bring my camera on Tuesday and take some pics.

Been a long time since I have done any scenery and I forgot how relaxing and good it feels to look back at what can be done.

We have an open house next Sunday and trying to show a better face than the last show.

[qantaqa]

I ordered the turntable and base roundhouse kit from walthers, as well as a few other goodies...  I also tried to place an order to fasttrax, but somehow paypal glitched, mebbe, and the order didn't go through (twice!), so I'll be placing an order for pc and wood ties another way.... prolly call them in the morning.

cheers!

[Alcuin]

I ballasted a small section of the mainline. I'm pretty happy with how the profile came out, but man is this tedious work!

[biker_ray_pa]

I ballasted a small section of the mainline. I'm pretty happy with how the profile came out, but man is this tedious work!

Ain't that the truth!  Seems like ballasting takes about an hour per inch. 

All I did this weekend was start a new batch of SuperTrees - nothing terribly photogenic. The weather today is really nice, so I called off....errr......got sick and didn't go to work. I'll go hit a few golf balls at the range this afternoon, then finish my trees this evening.

[wm3798]

I had posted a lot of the early stages of my layout's construction over on the Atlas board back in 2003/2004 when this was current events.  I recently moved all the images to a new Picasa album.  So, without further adieu, here's everything you wanted to know about the beginnings of my layout, but were afraid to ask...

http://picasaweb.google.com/Lee.WildCard.Graphics/NScaleWMWesternLinesEarlyLayoutConstruction/photo#s5181135707774995282

More to follow!
Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I did the best train related thing I could this weekend.

I helped my dad set his layout back up in my parents new house. It's been years since he's set all of his NTRAK modules up in his house, and with a nice new mostly finished basement, we got it almost everything setup. I wish I had taken my camera with me now. Maybe I'll get him to snap some photos.

[Puddington]

.... actually, the most important thing I did was find a picture I'd thought lost forever....and yes; I'm getting "misty".....

Christmas day 1968..... if you were alive and semi aware you remember that Apollo 8 had circled the moon the night before. Borman, Lovell and Anders had read from Genesis and our very existance had changed - man had gone to another celestial body...... I stayed up ( I was four - we were all "space nuts" then) and was concerned that Santa wouldn't come 'cause I was up.... My father assured me Santa was getting a late start as he was watching TV too........ ( great line eh ?)

I woke up to this..............



A genuine Triang set; British dock switcher and 3 cars in faux CN colours.... dad had put a sock over the hammer to dull the noise as he nailed the track to the plywood at midnight. (What a guy) I was stunned; excited and most of all, inspired........This was where it started....

My father is gone now; I have a four year old... he runs the N scale Samuel Ridge I built for the 2 of us with me.... alas he has no Apollo 8's the marvel over - it takes so much more to "marvel" these young people today.... but the trains; Triang, N scale or other still provide a singular thrill that I'll never really understand  but will always appreciate....

Told you I'd get "misty"...................