Time to run!

Keith Mar 11, 2015

  1. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Well.......It's survived several major thunderstorms.
    Only washout I've had, is where downspout hit directly
    ON my track! Washed out a small section, maybe 1/2" deep
    and maybe 2" - 2 1/2" wide.

    Water that drops down under the long wooden bridge, seems to
    dissipate right there. But then, that area has been dug up quite a
    bit, so water drains much faster there.

    Betting it could handle a 1/2" storm surge!! :)

    Betting it wasn't weed! Something stronger perhaps?

    Hope any/everyone hit by, or in the path of these storms are safe!
     
  2. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Removed the last few rocks. Added about 3 loads of dirt.
    For now. Might add a little more later. Wore out at the moment!

    [​IMG]

    Another angle. Most of the rock seen, are the rocks removed from inner loop.
    They will be replaced, once dirt is in. and they will slowly rise up, to form a better "mountain" on
    this side of the yard! Better chance for tunnel also.
    [​IMG]
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    A tunnel. Nice place to run into a neighbor's cat or some other critter. Ha ha. :)
     
  4. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Nothing big. Maybe 2 foot long, for easy access, if something should go wrong.
    Only critter(s) I have to deal with, are "Bob" the local squirrel. And a couple of
    area relations perhaps. No loose cats, or dogs in the neighborhood.
    I'm betting spiders for sure though! Dark, somewhat cool and quiet!
    Maybe next year at the rate I'm going right now!
     
  5. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Added 1 more load of dirt, a bag of leaves and a bag of sheep and peat and buried.
    Then, set sprinkler on it for maybe 20 minutes.
    Another round of dirt and more digging, to help mix dirt and leaves.
    Might be about ready to get a couple of passenger cars out next.
    And maybe start setting down the first layer of rocks again!

    Won't know until I start working on things again.
    No idea when. Gonna depend on how I'm feeling!!
    If I feel decent, I might do a little bit more.
    If I hurt too much, I'll take the day off.
    What I decide to do, may also depend on what the weather is like.
    Not much happening, if it's too hot!
     
  6. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    No working Tuesday! Headed to Georgetown with a friend, to ride the
    Georgetown Loop. SHould be interesting! Haven't been there in 30 years!
    Not since I did volunteer work there, through railroad club!
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Sounds nearly miraculous. You must have some of the most responsible neighbors in the USA!
     
  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Have not heard or read much about this operation, since they changed operators a few years ago. Wondering how they are doing, what they are using for equipment, etc?
     
  9. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    They've got at least 3 useable locomotives.
    #140 - GE 45/50 ton diesel
    #9 - 3 truck shay
    #111 - 2-8-0 or a 2-8-2

    #40 is in the shop. Might be back in service next year.
    Have a couple of ex steel mill diesels as well. One running.
    Was being used as yard goat today! Also have the #130, another GE 45/50T
    diesel, in pieces.

    Have a few nice looking enclosed cars. Looks to be dinner train style.
    Run a couple of open cars, a couple of partially covered cars and a couple of
    covered cars. Closed ends, but open windows in the center.

    Have a number of photos from the day, plus a few videos.
    I'll be working on those when I get the chance. Maybe tomorrow.
    Hurting a bit, so I'm in bed early tonight!
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    This all sounds like great fuel for starting a new topic!
     
  11. Greg Elmassian

    Greg Elmassian TrainBoard Member

    325
    62
    17
    Was there about a month ago, for the celebration in Golden. got to ride behind the Shay, great time.

    Greg
     
  12. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Getting ready to adjust photos. And maybe try to upload a few videos to Youtube.

    In the meantime,
    Ran my passenger stuff today, over the new track. And to check clearances, when I'm ready
    to start setting rocks in place. Used end of c ane, to give my about 3" clearance from middle of streamline coach!
    Adjusted a couple of joints as well, that were causing minor problems.
    Passenger cars were jumping in a few selected spots, when coupled directly to locomotive.
    However, when I added a boxcar between locomotive and passenger cars, they ran fine!
    Mom planted about 5 BIG wads of worms where I was working. And then added 3 weeks worth of coffee grounds!
    Worms go crazy over the coffee grounds.
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Swimming in caffeine might do that.....

    Am wondering about your adding the box car. Could this indicate a coupler movement issue? Not enough swing side to side? Or other?
     
  14. Greg Elmassian

    Greg Elmassian TrainBoard Member

    325
    62
    17
    which locos and which passenger cars? sounds like tight curves and long cars with body mounts.

    Greg
     
  15. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Passenger cars apparently do NOT like the body mounted couplers of the GP30.
    Decided to use it, instead of the GP40. And since my PA is not RC/Sound converted
    yet, I can't use it. Running on 8' and 10' Diameter curves.

    Aristo heavyweight combine
    USA streamlined coach
    Aristo heavyweight, 6 axle Pullman

    Can't use the Pullman, as the trucks pick frog points! Thinking wheels are a bit too wide.
    Want to check with Kadee, see if they have passenger car wheels.
    Pullman was also the one car that would derail almost anywhere, besides turnouts.
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  16. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Dug a small trench around inside loop yesterday.
    Light rain sent me in for the night! Today, I was able to get
    a number of rocks placed. Added 1 load of dirt, mixed in with
    previous loads a couple days ago. Too dark tonight, to get photos
    when I was done. Will try for Saturday!
     
  17. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Added first layer of rock to the new mountain!
    Need to figure out how to add tunnel next.

    A couple of quick views of new rock work.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Added 1 load of dirt and mixed it in with the other dirt loads, worms, coffee grounds and semi rotten leaves! A bit more dirt to be added yet. Going higher still. Not too much higher though.
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  18. Greg Elmassian

    Greg Elmassian TrainBoard Member

    325
    62
    17
    The S curve in the foreground (where the rock "obscures" the track) is not where the cars derail is it?

    Any chance to put at least a little straight in there?

    Greg
     
  19. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    No.The "obscured" area is a 12" straight section.

    Have more problems with turnouts. Passenger cars pick the frogs.
    When being pulled by a GP30/40. If I place a freight car in between,
    the cars run properly.

    With my B-Day coming up soon, I'm gonna see IF I can get the Airwire/Sound
    combo for my PA, so I can use it! It's got truck mounted coupler on the rear!
    Need to do something about wheels on Aristo Pullman. It jumps the track alost anywhere!
    Turnout frogs in particular

    Have been thinking of adding a shim to guard rails of turnouts, to try and eliminate frog picking.
    Think the K-27 picks also. But, since I have NOT used it in a couple of years now.....
    Needs counterweight work! Gotta figure out HOW to pull counterweights off first!
    Or find someone who is willing to tackle that project! I don't want to mess things up any worse than it is!

    Run time the last couple of days. The Burlington GP30's, for a couple hours in the late afternoon.
    With caboose.
     
  20. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Enjoying the cooler temp for today!
    Coal train up and running right now.
    Burlington units in use, now.
    Had all 3 GP30's running earlier.
    Parked train briefly, so I could use the bathroom.
    Came back, and power was down. Went to check on train, rounded
    corner, and got hit by the nasty smell of burnt electronics!!
    My Rio Grande unit failed big time, while I was inside!
    Have no idea why. No wires to short, since they were covered with
    heat shrink tubing. No bare wires anywhere. Gotta pull it apart later, and see what blew up!
    And inquire, IF anyone will answer, about replacement part(s).
     

Share This Page