Weekend Update 7/7/19

[bnsfdash8]

I finished up NS 4825 with the addition of ditch lights.

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[craigolio1]

I finished up NS 4825 with the addition of ditch lights.

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Very nice!!

[Wardie]

Well this weekend marked the start of something new for me, a 15” x 80” switching layout on a hollow core closet door. What the image shows is the addition of pine 1x2 to create a space underneath for wiring and frog juicers. I am calling it the Androscoggin Mill #1, and it will loosely be based on/inspired by the Maine Central’s Lewiston Lower branch.

[GaryHinshaw]

For a variety of reasons, it's been a while since I've hosted a regular operating session for the locals, but we had one last night, #17 by my count.  We had a crew of 7 on hand, including 5 road crew, 1 yardmaster, and 1 dispatcher.  The 5 road crew were Mike, Scott, Tim, Brian, and Victor:



Prior to this session I had covered the central "Tunnel 2" peninsula with some "exquisite" kraft paper scenery: 



I was very curious to see if it would cause a problem for operators coming in & out of Bakersfield staging beneath it, but happily that was not the case.  Further shots and stories may be found in my Engineering Report.

[mu26aeh]

I shot a video update for the CSX Hanover Subdivision this evening.  I need to hire someone to do my updates...

[peteski]

Hood locomotives are free rolling dummies for the most part.   The thinnest motor (3mm diameter) is the primary limiting factor.  I think there may be thinner DC motors out there but the price gets astronomical.  I designed a worm-drive mechanism for a 3mm motor that can be seated in the fuel tank area but there are limitations on the 3D materials used (strength mainly).  Also thought about making brass hood sides that would barely permit the 3mm motor.  Anyway--as it is, power for trains can be provided by rolling stock that have the necessary width/length to house the standard mechanisms-- RDC, FP7, 60' boxcar.. etc.  I even thought about using MagnoRail to power trains.  Currently I don't have a layout to run anything on anyway, the Princeton Jct. module is in concept stage--so I guess these are display models for the time being!
   

Thanks for the info!  Still an amazing feat of miniature modeling!

[nkalanaga]

Jesse6669:  How long is that 3mm motor?  Short enough to fit between the wheels in N scale?  If so, we could have real N scale traction motors.

They could do that today, with many available motors, in O scale.  I wonder if anyone has tried making and marketing diesel trucks in O?  With everything in the trucks, all one would have to provide would be the body and frame.  It would make it much easier for small manufacturers to get into the locomotive business.  Following the P:48 idea, make the truck bolsters accurate, and they'd fit any properly made model.

[peteski]

Jesse6669:  How long is that 3mm motor?  Short enough to fit between the wheels in N scale?  If so, we could have real N scale traction motors.

They could do that today, with many available motors, in O scale.  I wonder if anyone has tried making and marketing diesel trucks in O?  With everything in the trucks, all one would have to provide would be the body and frame.  It would make it much easier for small manufacturers to get into the locomotive business.  Following the P:48 idea, make the truck bolsters accurate, and they'd fit any properly made model.

Those tiny (pager vibrator  type) motors have very little torque, and relatively high RPMs. And they are usually rated 1.5-3V.  They would need to be coupled to the wheels through a multi-stage gear box. Plus they probably have relatively short life. Not sure if what you are proposing is feasible.

[rodsup9000]

They could do that today, with many available motors, in O scale.  I wonder if anyone has tried making and marketing diesel trucks in O?  With everything in the trucks, all one would have to provide would be the body and frame.  It would make it much easier for small manufacturers to get into the locomotive business. 

 Kato's HO P42 has a coreless motor mounted on the trucks.  NWSL had self contained powered trucks in HO and O scale.

[peteski]

 Kato's HO P42 has a coreless motor mounted on the trucks.

It uses the same coreless motor that Kato uses to power the N scale FEF3, and other Japanese steam loco models.

[Jesse6669]

Those tiny (pager vibrator  type) motors have very little torque, and relatively high RPMs. And they are usually rated 1.5-3V.  They would need to be coupled to the wheels through a multi-stage gear box. Plus they probably have relatively short life. Not sure if what you are proposing is feasible.

Pete's right, from a pragmatic standpoint, but here's are a couple sources with spec sheets.  https://www.precisionmicrodrives.com/product-catalogue  and https://www.tgauge.com/product/400/7/3vdc-motor (TGauge.com also has a Shicoh motor that's more smooth than the stock motors).

Most of the motors are about 8mm long.  If I'm not mistaken, the gauge on 1:48 is about 25mm.  So, with some gearing and a good pulse controller, it could be done, I think.  The sound would be interesting as well.  It would be an interesting project to attempt in any case.     

[Jesse6669]

Here's the technology I'm waiting on...
https://phys.org/news/2015-05-unveiling-world-smallest-powerful-micro.html

[CNR5529]

Last week I joined @shark_jj and the rest of the ops crew to operate his Grand Trunk Southern layout. There have been lots of changes to the timetable and general ops scheme, which is making for some challenging jobs. I ran a number of through freights, one of the passenger trains, pusher service and a local switcher. Lots of play value on this interesting layout!

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I also got some more work done on my "business car" Burrard. More details in the build thread. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47390.msg625092;topicseen#msg625092

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[RockGp40]

My railroading coworker and friend @Gileng4  is building what ultimately should amount to be a fun layout. I was able to get him to switch from HO to N a couple years ago. He only has two scenic'd scenes on the layout, and this is one of them. The GP is mine (I was testing newly installed DCC) and the rest is his.

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[SecretWeapon]

GREAT JOB REESE!!!!!!!!!!!