Union Pacific's N Scale Canyon Division....

Sumner May 6, 2022

  1. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    How again is the elevator stabilized to prevent rocking or jamming to one side? The single line will work if the sides are sufficiently stabilized to keep the elevator top perfectly level. If two lines are used and they don't stretch equally, this could be a problem.
    A heck of a project! Glad to see it getting so far along!
     
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  2. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    That's why I would use stainless steel cable like used for garage door openers.
     
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  3. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the input guys. Nice to know you are thinking about it.

    I did consider 2 lines at first but too many complications with that and trying to make them work in unison without a lot of add-ons. My goal was something that didn't require a lot of electronics, specialized tracks and controls.

    Think of this working similar to a piston going up and down in a cylinder bore. It only has one item attaching it between the piston pin and the crank, the rod. The rod doesn't even stay perpendicular to the piston as the piston goes up and down. The pistons side walls and skirt keep it from rocking in the bore.

    Yes that is the key to this working. In the elevator's case ...

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    ... the top track surface just goes along for the ride and the line to the top is similar to the rod on the bottom of the piston. The top is only a place to attach the line (similar to the piston pin) and a place to park the train for the ride to the upper level. The little wheels on the sides of the part of the elevator that goes up and down (shown above) are similar to the piston skirts that keep the piston from rocking in the cylinder bore.

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    .... The bottom fixed part of the elevator is the bore walls. Two of the walls are adjustable and can be pressed in until the moving part of the elevator is a fairly tight fit and won't rock going up and down. Also there are guided stops that will be shown shortly that also guide and stop the elevator at the top and the bottom of its stroke and level it out and position it. The line only has to raise and lower the elevator and is not responsible for centering or leveling it. I still want it as close to the center as possible though. Also if the line stretches a little over time that doesn't effect anything as the lift bucket never hits the floor so always maintains tension on the line.

    One other item is the weight of the part that goes up and down. It is about 45 lbs.. I could lighten it but want the weight as that is a stabilizing factor and also now the weight of a 10 foot long N scale train is negligible so I don't have to deal with it being also centered.

    Hope this helps and here is a video I put together earlier.



    Going camping for a couple days and if there is no cell service (likely) I'll post the next couple parts of the build when we return. I can say it is working and I'm really happy at this point about that. The final question will be once I get track laid down and try and run trains on/off of it will it still be working?

    Sumner
     
  4. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    OK you win! ;):LOL::LOL:
    But it was piston slap that ended my '55 Victoria and '71 Pinto War Wagon.
     
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  5. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Should of been a Chevy guy;).

    At least the pistons worked until they didn't. This might be the same for the elevator :(.

    Sumner
     
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  6. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Went to Chevy until '88. The 318 Ram is still purring and pulling. :)
     
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  7. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Elevator Section Part 8:

    Time to build a platform to lift the 'lift bucket' with. I didn't want to use the handle on the bucket as it didn't seem like a good long term option. I also wanted to get the bricks out of the lift bucket so that the only thing in it would be the standing water and the water that is pumped in and out along with the larger pump that is used in this bucket. I could use a larger one in the other bucket but had two smaller pumps that equal the big one so decided to use them instead. If I want the elevator to go up and down faster I could move to larger pumps but the up and down times are under a minute and I'm happy with that.

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    I've got a lot of steel that is left over from my car, camper and boat projects so used what I had to build the lift platform. Also actually used more that I would of needed for the project but the more I used the less bricks I'd be using.

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    When I found out later that the weight of the three bricks wasn't needed I filled the area where they were with wood so could always go back to one to three bricks if needed.

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    Above I poured water into the bucket to try things out before connecting the pumps and hoses.

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    The small control panel can be moved easily by removing two screws and screwing them back in at the new location. I'll probably move it in under the layout a bit more.

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    The next segment will deal with the stops and locators in the upper and lower positions and another overview and run video. Then I need to move onto getting the upper level of the layout in which I started on a few segments back (got the actual build order a little out of sync presenting it here).

    Elevator section to be continued…..........

    If you came into the build here you can find the main index for the build ( HERE ).

    Sumner
     
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  8. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Very good choice. I have had the handle brake off of one filled with rock salt. If more weight is needed maybe 6 gallon buckets are still available. Mine have a removeable foam liner for insulation and the top is padded for a seat. The lid doesn't latch down as tight. They are meant for fishing. I used them to haul around tools.
    Thanks again.
     
  9. sidney

    sidney TrainBoard Member

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    its coming right along there. also like the metal frame for the buckets. very stout .
     
  10. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Elevator Section Part 9:

    Done about all I can on the elevator section until I get the upper level in and start laying track to, from and on the elevator. I've got it down to where it has no sudden movements or stops at the end of its travel going up or down (be sure and check out the video ( HERE ) and below).

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    I'm happy with how the elevator is working at this point. Check out the video ( HERE ) or click on the image above.

    I feel that it is locating accurately at both the top and bottom of its travel. I'll know more when track is laid down and I run a train on and off at the three locations that will be possible. I thought for sure I'd have to make some stops and guides out of aluminum when I started but not so sure. Might still have to do it now or could easily make the changes in the future.

    Also eventually I might employ an Arduino and some relays and limit switches and try making it all auto when a train approaches from any of the three approaches. That would also require quite a few relays to turn the power to a number of track sections to keep multiple trains from running into each other or trying to load onto the elevator when they shouldn't. I'll still have some limit switches that will control track power on the approaches so that a train can't run off into an abyss even if I'm at the manual controls.

    Will now continue on with the backdrop and moving the track surface for the upper level into place...........

    If you came into the build here you can find the main index for the build ( HERE ).

    Sumner
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2022
  11. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    I continue to be impressed.
     
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  12. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Whole lotta engineerin' goin' on there... I like it!
     
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  13. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Backdrop Part 2:

    Moving back to the backdrop..........

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    To be continued ...........

    If you came into the build here you can find the main index for the build ( HERE ).

    Sumner
     
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  14. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Backdrop Part 3:

    Moving on with the framework for the backdrop....

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    As I mentioned in the image above, I've been really happy with the framework for the layout to this point. Using the 1 X 2 and plywood members for the supports has given me a lot of open space under the layout and the height has made it easy to work under there when needed. Important at 78. That along with the 1 X 4 and plywood crossmembers have been plenty strong for me to walk on the top of the layout at times constructing the backdrop frame members. I put some scrap pieces of plywood on the foam board and I'm good to go walking around there.

    To be continued ...........

    If you came into the build here you can find the main index for the build ( HERE ).

    Sumner
     
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  15. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Impressive! A nice substructure for an adult to walk atop it! Nicely engineered.
     
  16. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

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    Impressiv but when are you going to do all this?
     
  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    This is material for a multi-part article, in a major model RR magazine. It needs to be published.
     
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  18. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

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    Absolutely
     
  19. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Maybe a large format book.
     
  20. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks guys but my work and documentation ends here ;). Nice thing about the internet is you can put in a lot more than what would ever be feasible in a book/magazine. Best bet for a magazine would be to highlight a subject and then link to it on the internet for those who want more detail. Would satisfy the magazine's need for articles that draw in readers and a reader's needs if they want more info than the magazine article.

    Not sure what the question is but if it is will it ever be anywhere near done? Probably not at 78, but I'll get as far as I can. I love designing and building a lot so getting a lot of satisfaction out of it.

    I've looked at your layout a number of times and I'd be happy if I had one five foot section that has the detail and final look that you have accomplished (y).

    Sumner
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2022
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