BarstowRick's H&P Layout Restoration

BarstowRick Sep 15, 2020

  1. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I will do just that. It's sitting not to far from my feet while sitting here at the computer station. All packed away and awaiting train time. I will try to get it out and shoot some picks of it. Camera needs new batteries. Waiting for Stimulus Check. Oh wait maybe not. It's important that none of us hold our breath.

    Glad Christmas is over. When you find yourself with no kids in the house and they have kids of their own. Christmas can be a time for "Home Alone, I made my family disappear." Dig that movie. I watch that almost every year on Christmas Eve. Just not this year. I watched Harry Potter #1. There is A Christmas scene in it. I should say I slept through the whole thing. I fell asleep as the train arrived at Hogwarts and woke up as the train was leaving, where else? Yes, Hogwarts. Track 9 3/4. At least I got to see the best part of the movie. I said with a sheepish grin.

    Okay, you want to see a work train. Let me see what I can find in the way of pictures.

    You've seen the freelanced foreman's work caboose. Tied to an old Pullman coach car. Now used as crew quarters.

    . Ashfork Jct.  ATSF Work Train Foremans Crummie.jpg

    You've already seen a version of this. One of my better shots.

    Chiefs 017.jpg

    I'm sure you've seen the next picture but not in this context.

    IMG_1366.JPG
    One you haven't seen. This was taken shortly after the track equipment arrived. It need some added details. Wish I had a picture of Tom's over in Twin Peaks. He's done some interesting detailing work with his.
    New Camera 032.jpg

    That's a teaser. Hope you like it.
     
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  2. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thank you Rick! :)(y)
     
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  3. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    You are Welcome!!
     
  4. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    A new day, a new year and a new start. It's got to be uphill form here.

    Looks like the Rose Parade was put on HOLD!! The Rose Bowl college play off will be held in Texas. Go figure. Sign of the times. Being a Native of California, it was a must on New Years Morning to watch, what else, the Rose Parade. Just not this year.

    Okay... so I can bet back to my model railroad, restoration.

    I've scoured my inventory, for hidden tools in a stack of shipping boxes. I'm not entirely unpacked yet. Found a box of stuff but I'm missing my 12 volt light tester, alligator clips and hemo-stats. I went to Wall Mart and found in the auto department the much needed 12 volt light-tester. Sitting next to them a box of alligator clips. One more check because, as difficult as it is...:(... for me to get under the train table, I need to have everything handy and at my side. Let's see I have the wire nuts, the wire strippers, (Wire strippers guys not the other kind, although they'd be welcomed) two gun handle soldering irons (still hiding) and a work light. Okay, that's more of a check list then anything else. Still hiding is my favorite Radio Shack, solder and paste. The store is back and on line, Radio Shack. True story.(y)

    I think most of this stuff is in a fishing tackle box I use to carry my electrical stuff from one project to the next. I did get colored electrical tape. I have a box full of the stuff but I want some new and fresh tape.

    Being semi-retired. I won't be putting in anymore church or mortuary sound systems. I won't be trouble shooting anyone else's train layout. Only to have the frustrated owner, who doesn't understand wiring asking hundreds of questions and usually... not getting it. Sigh! This is one of those things you can't educate in 15 minutes or less. Looking at me with a puzzled look. You need two wires for each block and what's a block? If you come from where I do AND if you are operating with Cab A and Cab B...YES! You most certainly do!! Even DCC needs blocks. You know the little square toys with the alphabet letters on them. :):rolleyes::eek:

    Funny but the biggest and most frustrating question is: How do I wire in a reverse loop? The answer is simple enough. I mean I only have 5 reversing situations on my train layout. Let's see. 1 Turntable, 1 Wye, 3 maybe 4 actual reverse loops. The answer is simple, (I said that already, yes?) You have to be able to reverse the polarity on the mainline without changing the polarity in the loop. If you are just getting started in model railroading... I just frustrated you. Don't worry you'll figure it out. Here's a hint don't plan on using the reversing switch on your transformer. That's a NO, NO!!

    Now with DCC, they have it figured out for you. Just follow the directions.

    Sound Systems...sigh! Church, Mortuary or even with our Model Railroads. Everything is going wireless and digital with touch screens to run them. Not my favorites as a touch screen can take off in the wrong direction. Frustrating the heck out of the operators. Here you go. What happens when you are running your train on a club layout, from your phone, and your wife calls?

    I have some College Football games to watch and then, then it will be full speed ahead. YES!! Then... :( all my attention, all my train attention, can be given to my train layout.:D(y):sick:

    Fun? Wireing? Not a chance in hades. :mad: It's the reward of operation after everything comes together.(y):D(y):ROFLMAO:(y)

    Later!
     
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  5. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    I'd let it go to voicemail.

    She knows, if it is really important, to hang up and call right back, same as when I was working (before I retired). If it is not important, leave a message, call back later or text me.
     
  6. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Happy new Year Rick! Following the wire saga closely! :D

    These block things you speak of, my first thought was Legos, then I though no, he's got to be talking city streets, but then you threw in the letter thing and now all of a sudden, I'm missing my playschool wagon …..:( …. maybe I should crawl back under my rock?!?!
     
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  7. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Umm carefully?
    I intentionally have two on my trolley line and will be using a *DC* autoreverser on trolley main. Which freaks people out because they don’t know such things exist or how to make one.
     
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  8. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ha !!!!! In DC They are called 'Blocks'. In DCC they are called 'Power Districts'. Educating Barstow Rick is a lost cause. He is to old...set in his ways...and just plain ornery...LOL :LOL::LOL::ROFLMAO:
     
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  9. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    In Congress, they are called chairs... :)
     
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  10. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Now that's funny. Well played. I never had a playschool or any-other kind of wagon.

    I started to use "Power District" but that's not a true block. :unsure:(n):sneaky:

    And for the rest of you who don't know what a block is? I defer/revert back to previous illustration. LOL:D:ROFLMAO::LOL:
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2021
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  11. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Last edited: Jan 2, 2021
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  13. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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  14. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Well crazy times for me, just catching up Rick. I hate to say this, but sometimes it may be better to gut all the existing wiring and start from scratch. Along the way you may realize that there is an easier way to do what needs to be done. If you re using DCC, create power districts or blocks in DC and wire them up and test then move on. May sound crazy, but sometimes a little crazy saves sanity. You may find a simpler way to do it this way. Just a suggestion my friend!
     
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  15. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hello DCESharkman/David, Good to hear from you.

    I've considered doing exactly what you have suggested. I hate to say this but this restoration of the layout is going to have to be done with a minimal budget. I simply don't have the income to purchase DCC. I'm proud enough to not accept any charity. I have to do this on my own, kind of mentality. Once I get going it will all come back to me and I'll get it back up and running again.

    Cat puked all over my keyboard. So, had to rinse it off. My daughter invited me over for dinner so took off to be with her and her family. Didn't get a chance to finish this.

    Now back and working through my lap top. They keys are so close together. Hard to work with.

    David, I agree with you that would be the best way to rebuild. Just not going to happen on my watch, I'm afraid. I have a cut off switch on Cab B to cut out analog and cut in DCC. I had two DCC diseasels (SP intended) and an old MRC throttle. They both gave up the ghost and I converted them back to analog DC. I have a fair assortment of locomotives and diesels that are analog DC. No plans on converting them.

    For now it looks like a hit and miss attempt to get things wired back together. Let the fun begin.
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2021
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  16. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Well do not give up on it, once this COVID nightmare is over, I will come over help rewire your layout and also hook you up with a new DCC System, new to you but tried an true working system.
     
  17. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Forgive me for sitting here and laughing. I found myself wondering where the out was. After "Covid 19". I got it. Then it hit me...that isn't funny. I don't think we are even close with being done with it. It's here to stay and getting a vaccine although helpful isn't full proof. The medical world knows that. Truth is it's the only hope we have. Just like we take yearly flu shots we will most likely be taking yearly Covid 19 shots...until something better comes along. Covid 19, It likes the humans it habitats-in and it won't give us up very easily.

    I'm humbled by your offer and to be honest I will take any help I can get. Even if it goes against my nature.

    Okay, well. You've always helped me with problems and things in the past. I will look forward to your help now. Thank You!!
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2021
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  18. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    What sounds better, "block head" or "power district head"?

    :D

    Doug
     
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  19. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    :D:D:LOL::LOL::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:(y):p

    As soon as I read "block head" the first thing that popped into my head was 'Beavis & Butthead' :(o_O
     
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  20. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hard head, if you are talking about me it's "Hard Head," now get it right. :(:confused::D

    Or "Hard headed" and yes I have a Santa Fe Hard Hat.;):)
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2021

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