Weekend Update 7/7/19

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What a weekend boys!

First, last week I got to operate on Scott Wooddell's really fun Deer Creek & Susquehanna layout. It's a transition era MA&PA themed N scale layout that runs GREAT. Who said you can't do small steam in N? I was inspired...





Scott, are you on here? If not, I'll be prosecuting him for membership.

Next up was a weekend in Philly for family stuff. I did a "DCC in a Box" build with my dad:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47128.msg625099#new



Even MORE excitingly though, I got t take my parents to go eat cheese steaks (from Cleavers, pretty good) out on @seusscaboose 's Catalpa Falls while it's waiting for its trip to NYC for his trip this coming weekend.















What a weekend.

[chuck geiger]

See Proto thread, Did Camp Verde Railway and it was cool. Having trouble posting pictures from camera to RW. When I figure it out, pics coming. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47455.0

[peteski]

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.     

As I understood, nkalanga wanted to see if those tiny motors could be used in traction-motor fashion in N-Scale model trucks, not in larger scales.

But even if he meant 0 scale or larger, I doubt that those motors would be able to to propel a model which weights couple of pounds, while pulling a train up a grade (or even running light).

[rickb773]

While this will not excite most of you, it is a milestone for my Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines layout. (So, I’m excited!) After almost exactly one year, trains are once again running!

I tore apart (and reordered 75% of) the layout in order to get room for 9 tracks of staging - 4 from the Philadelphia side and 5 to serve as the turnaround points for the 3 southbound branches that terminate “at ocean’s edge”. This will enable my operating group to run the complete schedule of trains that the PRSL ran in the early 1950s.

Most of the layout still looks like a combination tornado/earthquake/hurricane hit it but at least the trains are running again.

0:00 We pick up a southbound local in Camden
0:22 Ignore the fact that Philadelphia’s 30th Street station is in the background (out of place but no switching)
0:35 Also ignore the Manayunk bridges
0:50 Back to reality: Timber creek bridge (Brooklawn to Westville)
0:55 Westville
1:00 Texaco refinery in Westville
1:15 North Woodbury
1:25 Meeting the ND local in the unfinished end piece
1:35 Woodbury
1:50 South Woodbury marshalling yard
1:55 Glassboro (/Thorofare) junction (with lead to South Staging)
2:05 Loop to get up to high line (the North Staging enters at the top)
2:25 The 9 tracks of staging that caused all this trouble
3:00 Meeting the NB local (behind Camden)
3:20 Back to the Camden Pavonia yard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrwMRq-nXfA

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I tore apart (and reordered 75% of) the layout in order to get room for 9 tracks of staging - 4 from the Philadelphia side and 5 to serve as the turnaround points for the 3 southbound branches that terminate “at ocean’s edge”. This will enable my operating group to run the complete schedule of trains that the PRSL ran in the early 1950s.

Whoa! That's a big lift. Nice!

[SandyEggoJake]

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

@Jesse6669
Very cool.  I'm been toying with Ultrasonic motors after discovering that is what powers the focus in my Nikon AF-S lens. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrasonic_motor
Thought is might allow a small motor to drag some animation.  issue is my travel path is not straight and the rod requires some supports .... so the solid torus of at ultasonic motor I have will not be ideal for my application. 

But using this tech to develop micromotors will open up a lot of cool N scale applications.   Direct axle drive w/o gearing!

[peteski]

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

Yeah, those look very interesting.  But there are probably few years before those get introduced to the model train world.

[nkalanaga]

Peteski:  Yes, I was specifically interested in these for N scale.  Fitting a "real" traction motor in O scale is no problem at all!

I remember the NWSL powered trucks.  Nice idea, and they apparently worked well, but I was wondering about taking it to the next level.  Design an O scale truck that was as close to prototype as practical, including the bolsters, so that they could be used on truly prototypical models.

At that point, one could stuff the body with batteries, and a small RC receiver, and do away with track wiring entirely.  Since the bolsters would be "prototype", any model built to the same standards could use the trucks, with no compromise in appearance.

We're a LONG ways from that in N scale, and I agree, pager motors won't cut it for most locomotives.

[kc9jts]

Question for ya Tim,  did you have any issues with switching Dawson Creek and the height of 57"?  I am looking at doing something similar but was wondering if that is a little too high.  Thanks

Nick

Op Session 13 was held last Sunday evening with three fellow North Shore modellers in attendance.

Back in the 1970s, during the summer and early fall, the British Columbia Railway would station an RS-3 at Dawson Creek and run a yard job to cope with the extra switching during the grain rush.  This meant that the Dawson Creek Switcher would only have to set outs its train, switch the trailer ramp, and return to Chetwynd with the westbound tonnage staged by the yard job.  This session was our first attempt to recreate that as an alternate way of doing things for future variety.  With my RS-3s still undergoing their DCC installation, RS-10 581 was taken to Dawson Creek last session in preparation for yard duty this session.

RS-10 581 engaged in the inaugural yard job at Dawson Creek:




At Chetwynd, CN 3218 has just returned with a work extra as 804 and 810 prepare to depart with the eastbound Dawson Creek Switcher:




Two new log cars deliver their first revenue loads to the Canfor mill at Chetwynd:




607 and 581 are engaged in their runaround move at Septimus prior to returning to Chetwynd:




810 and 804 cross the Pine River with twelve cars and van en route back to Chetwynd:




(Yes, I know; cleaning up the canyon is on my summer task list . . . )

Thanks to Philippe for taking the photographs while I inserted myself into the operating crew for the first time.

Looking forward to tomorrow evening's session on the Tehachapi B.C.


Tim

[BCR 570]

Question for ya Tim,  did you have any issues with switching Dawson Creek and the height of 57"?  I am looking at doing something similar but was wondering if that is a little too high.  Thanks

Nick

For most guests, no not a problem.  I have had one or two who are shorter and they can have difficulty seeing cars on the tracks further in when tracks in front are occupied.  For those situations I have a small step stool.

The key thing to remember about upper deck height is the depth from front to back.  The longer the reach in, the lower it needs to be.  My upper deck is 18" wide and at 57" that seems to work well.

Tim

[Van Horne]

I have operated Dawson Creek several times and had no difficulty with the height.  I am 6', though.  BTW, the layout and equipment are just as fabulous as they look!

Dave Hunter

[mandealco]

What a weekend boys!




What a weekend.

Nice car Ed.  They're a Holden Commodore where I come from.
Cheers
Steve

[peteski]

What a weekend.

Hey Ed!  Why isn't your car medium blue with white decorations? Did you abandon your true love?   

Looks nice!  Black beauty with red (Brembo?) horseshoes.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Nice car Ed.  They're a Holden Commodore where I come from.
Cheers
Steve

Yep! She's world wide. It's actually an Opel Insignia (closest to the VXR but with a different US only power plant, I think). It's also sold as a Vauxhall too.

Hey Ed!  Why isn't your car medium blue with white decorations? Did you abandon your true love?   

Looks nice!  Black beauty with red (Brembo?) horseshoes.

Hahaha, cause true Conrail blue looks stupid on anything other than locomotives and cabooses! Plus this one looks a bit more evil.

And yep, Brembo brakes. It's a 310 HP performance hatchback, believe it or not! If you're coming to Altoona I'll give you a ride. She's a rocket boys.

[peteski]

Hahaha, cause true Conrail blue looks stupid on anything other than locomotives and cabooses! Plus this one looks a bit more evil.

And yep, Brembo brakes. It's a 310 HP performance hatchback, believe it or not! If you're coming to Altoona I'll give you a ride. She's a rocket boys.

Oh yeah! It does look evil.  It is  not your father's Oldsmobile Buick.    Although that slogan doesn't seem to be relevant nowadays - some of our fathers drive pretty hot cars!  I would love a ride, but I won't be able to to make it to Altoona.

Hang onto this car - it seems that sedans, and all passenger cars, are being phased out in favor of the mommy-vans and SUV/CUVs.