Weekend Update 11-8-09

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

It's that time of week agian. My favorite thread. So, what did you guys do?

[davefoxx]

I finally get to make a contribution to Weekend Update again, albeit, a humble display.  Anyhow, I've started a small 2' x 3' layout just to be able to run and construct something, while I'm limited on modeling space.

This picture shows my first attempt ever at adding superelevation in the curves and demonstrates that I also attempted to capture the roadbed height differences often seen between mainlines and sidings  The mainline is Atlas Code 55 track on cork roadbed; the track in the siding is glued directly to the foam subroadbed sans the cork.


My apologies for the poor quality of this photo.  I just didn't have the time this morning to set up a better shot, and it's been a long time since I took to time to experiment with my camera settings.  I'll do better next time.

Have a great week, all!
Dave Foxx

[Dave V]

So Dave, are you now a fully out-of-the-closet Conrail Queen too? ;D

[davefoxx]

I suppose so.  It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it, Dr. Dave!

[DKS]

I installed my z scale barber pole in the building where it belongs:
 

I also got trains running for the first time in nearly a year, in preparation for the DE-MD-PA-NJ Model Railroad Open House. My layout will be on display November 21 and 22 at Rick Spano's S&U.
 

More on the open house: http://www.modelrropenhouse.com/

[absnut]

Finished up detailing/augmenting a Model Power 2-6-0 to more closely resemble a B&M B-15 Mogul.  Fun project.





Dick

[Erik W]

This week I dug out a few little projects that had arrived over the last six months but due top my lack of interest, had not been touched until now. 



These are a couple of GHQ vehicles I painted and weathered.  These will be part of the background scenery in the city a section of the layout.



I also installed a decoder in a new Atlas RS-3.  I used one of the new TCS split board decoders.  This thing is sweet.  No frame milling or modification required.  The shell should fit correctly since the decoder wires snug down enough so as not to be in the way.  You’ll notice the upside down T on the motor.  I did manage to install the motor upside down even though I thought I figured out which way was up.  I put the locomotive on the layout to test it and when I put it in forward the front LED lit as the RS-2 went backwards!  No big deal to swap the motor caps though (with orange and gray decoder wires soldered to them).  I think every decoder I’ve done besides drop in decoders, I’ve done twice!

Erik 

[BCR 570]

I have been working on installation of the bus wires for my helix, which began with the installation of eye screws to hold the wires in place.  I then pulled the 14 AWG wire for the black feeders.  It runs from the intended location of the DCC panel around the first turn of the helix.  From there it branches up and around each successive turn so as to minimize the length of the runs:




In the above photograph, you can hopefully see the bus wires branching up and off to the left, and terminating at the end of each turn on the right.

With the bus wire in place, insulation was removed at the location of each feeder wire, the 22 AWG feeder was wrapped around the bus wire, and the joint was soldered in place.  The final step was to move the pre-positioned lengths of heat shrink tubing into place and heat them to cover the joints:




This process has taken quite a bit of time as I am learning as I go along; next up is installation of the red bus wire which hopefully will go more quickly.


Tim

[wcfn100]

I saw Mike Danneman sign a book.  ;D

Oh, yeah, I also picked up an IM FP-7 to finally see how had it will be to strip down since my request to IM has gone unnoticed.

Jason

[Erik W]

I saw Mike Danneman sign a book.  ;D

Did you buy his book?  It's very well done and worth the money.

Erik

[wcfn100]

I saw Mike Danneman sign a book.  ;D

Did you buy his book?  It's very well done and worth the money.

Erik

It's on the DRGW right? Something about Utah? I didn't really look. :-[  I just bought another Railway Cyclopedia $$$ last week, so my book fund is shot for a while.

Jason

[Catt]

couple pics of new stuff on my Z layout,got a looooooooong ways to go.The green house is still lacking some trim which I noticed about 30 seconds after posting these pics to Z Central.

[Two Truck Shay]

Looks like you folks have been busy. After studying Jim Reising's website for The Oakville Sub (http://theoakvillesub.freehosting.net/page_two.htm), I have changed directions and decided to use masonite splines for constructing the subroadbed instead of the plywood I cut out previously.


Hopefully that image will work. It's a spline-constructed curve in clamps.

More on my site below...

Have a productive and healthy week, all!

[wm3798]

I made some more headway on the expansion project... only none of it was in the layout room.  I managed to get the garage cleaned up (somewhat) to have access to the work table.  I also dug out the L-girder frame I'll be using under the yard... it needs a LOT of work.  But I've got a ton of material in the garage, so getting it fit for service shouldn't be a big deal.

I also successfully resuscitated an Athearn Challenger that's been in my care for a month or two.  The original MRC sound board crapped out, so the guy sent it to a DCC dealer to upgrade to a Tsunami, but the thing never worked right, so he sent it to me.  After working through a couple of kinks, here it is in all it's glory...

I also did a little railfanning around the layout...


and the Challenger...


Next job will be to get the L girder frame fixed up so I can start working on the Connellsville staging yard.

Lee

[RockGp40]

Ahh Lee, never place a shiftable load next to the locomotive. That'll be two demerits.