BarstowRick's H&P Layout Restoration

BarstowRick Sep 15, 2020

  1. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Where are we at on wires Mr. Rick? Inquiring minds want to know and me too. :D
     
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  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    To Mr. BNSF, sir. I saw your post after I had posted the following.


    Once again it's Sunday and 19 F with over cast skies outside. We are at least acting like winter is here.

    Looked at my wiring harnesses last night and boy... do I have a mixed bag of all yellow, blue and purple. At least they are color coded but having the same colors isn't helping me. I will need to trace the wires back on both sides to determine which block they serve before I can wire nut them together. So, A 9 volt battery, a 12 volt hobby light some alligator clips and I should be in good shape. I have that all packed away but, where?

    Looks like there will be some interesting football teams playing each other today. This should make the day interesting. Did you see that one college game where the opposing team repeatedly took down the quarter back, on the same play. I can understand it if he still had the ball. A forced fumble would have been to their advantage. Unnecessary roughness... called on them.

    My neighbor came in to check out the progress on the layout. He wants to get trains running as bad as I do. He's an automotive electrician and said he'd be right at home with all the wiring. He uses electricity detection meters to determine what wire has power in it. That might be helpful.

    In our hobby: The same thing is used for signal detectors. The detectors senses where the power is and what direction it's traveling. It then sets the track side signals accordingly. Pretty neat to watch should you find a layout with such a system. That is if the engineers pay attention.

    You know the rule: If you are the engineer of a train it's up to you to be sure the track is clear ahead, the switches thrown and no train is sitting in the block ahead, (waiting for the block...to clear). No collision's allowed.

    Have a good weekend.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2020
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  3. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    News on the layout, doesn't amount to much. I need to get one of my transformers hooked up then connect the wires to the control panels so I can start electrically tracing the wires. I need to get out and purchase some wire nuts.

    The eagle landed, I had to call in my payments to my debtors. Problems with the bank. Then I called the bank directly to straighten things out and they got to the bottom of it and fixed it. Lastly, I've been waiting for all the payments to clear before I can get crazy shopping.

    In the mean time I came across some videos by a fellow railfans that are time specific to the era I'm trying to model and capture. I'd like to capture Cajon Pass I simply don't have the room for that. So it's fragment time. A little of this here and a little of this there.



    Above: Note the firetruck and how open they are compared to today. Then notice the way they separated the wreck. Times were different back then.

    Below: Here are many of the same places I hung out. Seeing many of the same trains but unable to photograph them or video tape them. Glad this railfan did, in these videos of Cajon Pass and elsewhere. You'll see the tunnels and double track operations for the Santa Fe. Watch Union Pacific trains on trackage rights over Cajon. Finally the Southern Pacific on the Colton Cut Off.



    These were good times for railfans. You could hang out, camp and seldom if ever get chased out. Not so much anymore.

    I'm making every effort to recapture this era of railroading on my layout. An impossible task but you can't blame me for trying.
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2020
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  4. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    It's Friday, what that used to mean to me. Not quite the same today. I noticed the temp., is 28 F. outside and the animal water dishes froze-up solid.

    'What that used to mean to me," from my past. You can ignore this next part. Area of coverage Victorville, San Bernardino County. Era 70's. I promise no false narrative.

    Friday, either the weekend was coming up and I was off duty. Even though I was off I was still subject to call and subsequent duty. Or the weekend was coming up and I was emphatically on duty. We had Interstate 15 running through our coverage territory. The fire departments and ambulance crews of that time would double check their equipment and supplies. Top off those fuel tanks. Those of us who responded to and with the Coroner's Office, loaded the First Call Wagon, with water bottles, towels, gloves, assortment of body bags and protective gear. Roll-on and flat gurneys, body bags and that should set the stage for you.

    We had a prayer back then, I can't repeat all of it. "Lord help these fools find their way safely across this deserted desert". Although, not so deserted at the time and you ought to see it now.

    We were at the heart or a sort of hub for traffic headed to the Sierra's for skiing, the Colorado River for boating, skiing and whatever else they could get or find. Las Vegas always on the horizon. They had a Amtrak Train, back then you could catch Friday and come back Sunday. Union Pacific had some sort of track quagmire West of Vegas, and the train would end up sitting in the hole and have to wait for freight traffic going in both directions, to clear. When they went out to fix-it the green minded ones started jumping up and down and stopped the project. It's my understanding that's been resolved now and there is a nice long siding that will accommodate UP's longer freight trains. Still no Amtrak Train. From the mind set of the current CEO at Amtrak that may not change.

    No thinking needed here. Amtrak is the safer way to travel.

    For the Freeway, I-15 Heart Break Ridge as it was called, was Baker and Baker grade. We had another name but I'll keep that to myself. For a long time the closest hospital was in Vegas but only the California ambulance crews could respond to such accidents. The closest hospital was in San Bernardino. The counties on both sides finally worked out a better arrangement. Vegas would respond to said accidents while Barstow's ambulance crews handled everything South of Baker.

    Those traveling visitors would stop into Victorville and Barstow to top off their tanks, grab a sandwich, fries and drink. The Liquor Barn would see their share of customer traffic. Then it was off to the races. Oh, the fun they had on those freeways. They would rack up some doozies. I would scratch my head wondering how they could mangle a car to where I had to look on the door (if I could find it) for make and model in order to know what it was. Oh and it hasn't changed.

    Never mind what they did to themselves and the families they brought along. That road was well traveled, as everyone hurried to Las Vegas (Lost Wages) to spend their hard earned money. One roll of the dice could make the difference. One way or another they were coming back home broke. But look at all the fun they had.

    Pardon my reflecting. Oh, and glad I'm still not doing that.

    Switching now to present day.

    The Layout. I dug around and found the old bracket I used to hang my main transformer. Looked for my wiring diagrams and so far no luck. I have an inventory of what's in each box I packed but there are dressers w/ drawers where I stored stuff and didn't pack them as such. It's possible my diagrams are in one of them. I really don't need them but figured I'd add it to the list of things to find.

    I'm hoping to put the bracket back-in, secure the transformer and hook up the wires. Giving me the power source I need. It wont' be a piece of cake but I can start to get the job done.

    Case of the lazies on top of not feeling well and everything comes to a grinding halt. Where's that self starter i used to use?
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2020
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  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Probably where mine is- in the repair shop, waiting and waiting for........
     
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  6. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well played Ken, well played.
     
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  7. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    A couple of great videos there Rick! (y)(y) Some of the stuff in the wreck video was unique. Liked that truck spanning two open top auto racks and I bet that bucket operator wasn't too thrilled when he stood that thing up on it's front wheels. :eek:
     
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  8. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    LOL, I find myself in that same boat!
     
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  9. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hope you get to feeling better Rick!
     
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  10. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I was wondering if anyone would notice that let alone say anything about it. I keep wondering why someone didn't climb up into an engine and drag it out. Unless there is a problem in the cab the likes of what I've seen and ...well...don't need to comment further about.

    My first thoughts is why it wasn't turned around but then I noticed the added weight on the tail end to counter the weight of the bucket and it's load.

    Thanks for the well wishes. Had my vacuum cleaner and carpet extractor going this morning. Got the trash out to the dumpsters...small ones. So it's ended up being a busy day, after all.
     
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  11. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Once upon a time in a far away place called Big Bear Country. I had a N Scale Train Layout that actually ran and operated trains. I could tell you how it came to be but I think we covered that all ready. I know you've most likely already seen them.

    We've been talking about shipping problems. There was a time the Railroads had a answer for all this. What you will see here is the replicated trains of the day. When Rail was King and provided luxury accommodations for passengers. The food wasn't bad either.

    Here is a Santa Fe Fast Mail Train and a Union Pacific Extra. With their version of a combined Fast Mail and added Passenger Cars. I ask did they know how to accommodate the public?

    H&P Railroad, Santa Fe and Union Pacific Extra's, Video Courtesy of John Acosta.





    As these two trains pull their loads of Christmas Goodies, with Relatives headed to various Christmas Celebrations.

    As we look back and remember.

    Merry Christmas to All.
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2020
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  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Taking a minute to look back to the good times in the Big Bear Country.

    John Acosta's HO Gulf & Pacific Railroad.

    Santa Fe Fast Mail, Video Courtesy of John Acosta.




    In this next video you will catch the Big Bear Valley Model Railroaders over at John Acosta's Gulf & Pacific Railroad. Enjoying as realistic operations as you are going to get. You'll see Steve and I operating John's Narrow Gauge short-line. I think we spent two hours switching the small run. You'll hear talk about a Run Around. Well, this little short-line didn't have a run around. We had to get creative to switch certain box and flat cars into the appropriate industrial spurs. Can you tell we are having nothing but fun?



    If we look like Mountain Men, Steve certainly is. Steve is running the throttle while I play switchman and conductor.

    Those that can be seen in the video are: Richard a Steam Engineer for Knott's Berry Farm, Stubby a Race Car buff at heart, Greg a Retired Navy Man, and of course Steve and I. I was getting ready to play Santa Claus for some less fortunate kids.

    Thanks John for the good times.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2020
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  13. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Good stuff! Love the videos!
     
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  14. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Keep the faith brother, it will run again!
     
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  15. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I haven't given up yet. It took me two years to get it on it's own feet again. I suspect another two to get back up and running again.

    Hemi, Glad you appreciate the videos.

    Again, To All Do have a Merry Christmas.

    Home alone for me.
     
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  16. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    When I checked in last night I noticed that certain of the videos I posted/embedded on my thread aren't working. At first I thought it was a problem with my cell phones Hot Spot. Until I can afford something different I'm kind of stuck with it. Well, yes there is a problem with this kind of connection as I'm sitting in a Virtual Dark Spot. Seems the cell towers all the way around are within one block of providing this neighborhood quality service. Nothing I can do about that for the time being.

    I then checked with John A. to see if he had bumped into a problem. He had. We are living in an age of vulnerability. As it becomes harder to find work for many and the Chinese Disease keeps us in lock down. People are resorting to stealing to make up the difference. That was true of the run down, mobile home park I lived in, back in Big Bear Country. I was broken into many times and everything from food stuffs to money was stolen from me. I'm sure if they had found a market for my train stuff they would have stolen it. It was a clown that knew how to work it who had a shill. He did steal from me, on way to many occasions. I've been able to replace most of my stuff he stole but it's been an up hill battle.

    Big Bear Country is a transient town. People there for day visits on the ski slopes. Neighbors renting out their weekend homes as party houses. The less then desirable gangs who have fingerling connections in the area. At times you could smell drugs being cooked, never mind the places they could hide in the desert and mountain crags to grow marijuana. If you find water you can grow it.

    Like John A. I've wondered if I should be publishing my train equipment here on TB. Most of my train stuff, what you've seen so far, is not Classic or Collector's items, Gold Plated, Brass, Copper, Tin or Steel train equipment. I wouldn't' consider it to be high quality. It's just Atlas, Life-like and some stinking Bachmann stuff from yester-years assortment of stuff available. More recent purchases such as Intermountain, Kato or even Athearn are items that I don't want to see disappear. I don't hold it out as quality stuff. Just valuable to me for the most part. I get my train fix and what more do I need?

    So, to sum this up. Although, I had John A's permission, in the past, to post his You Tube Videos. We both agree it's better... I don't until the world we live in is a bit more secure.

    So, if you came back looking for two of his video's I posted here. I'm sorry but we've agreed to remove them.

    They are John's personal property and need to be kept private for the time being. Sorry about that. His Video's do serve as a reminder to me of what can happen when a group of guys work together, on Operation's Night. In the words of the Professional Railroad Men who visited and participated..."This is to much like work." That's when we knew we were getting close to being Model Railroaders. You just knew I was going to say that, didn't you?

    Oh, I had my first visitor to my poor dis-functioning layout. Another John S., who is a model railroader. Who also shares working on or installing sound systems.

    Times they are a changing. And... not necessarily for the better.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2020
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  17. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I agree Rick...

    Crazy world out there right now. When the anxiety level starts to escalate I can go out to THERR RV close the door...turn on the lights (and heater now that its winter) and the DCC command station and watch trains run for hours. It's a nice 'escape' venue from all the craziness ! (y)(y):D
     
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  18. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    It's a nice ESCAPE!!! That it is.
     
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  19. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    This question redirects me back to the immediate subject at hand. Thanks BNSF Fan.

    Wiring? I've gotten absolutely no where on it.

    Here come the excuses.

    I could blame the Covid 19 or Chinese Disease. That won't work, I don't have it. Celebrate but be cautious.

    I could blame the neat train videos I've been watching. No can't blame that. That was my choice in the first place.

    Can't blame the weather as it's perfect indoor weather.
    No power supply. Nope, that won't work either. I found both my transformers. Okay then, I had to wait for the wire nuts to be shipped. Can't even blame that. They showed up here three days after I ordered them.

    I ran a checklist and I have everything I need. So, what's keeping me? No particular reason other then I'm in a harrumph. Spent yesterday trying to resolve the second of two banking problems. The Bill Pay feature is under re-organization and being updated. So payments got lost in the scramble of things. Money was returned but put me in a spot, at first.

    So, today looks good. The light in the train room is perfect and I want to get started. The pant's I'm wearing will stay up and not fall off. Embarrassing if anyone else is around. I've lost weight and my belt loop is flat. Then my stomach has decided to push out, getting fatter, actually bloated thanks to med's., I'm taking. That pushes the belt down. Drop!

    One more phone call to the bank and I should be good.

    All the tools I need, extra wire, wire nuts, power supply, tester are all sitting there waiting for me to get busy, get'r done. Think I'll get started.

    Okay that's enough chit chat for now.

    Later.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2020
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  20. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Just remember - yellow to yellow, blue to blue, green to green, etc.

    :D

    Doug
     
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