SP in 1953, Daylight & Overnight

Onizukachan Nov 18, 2018

  1. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Windows created and LED lighting installed. I went ahead and installed all three 603 LEDs since eventually I’ll want them all. One is for the fiber optic headlight, one is in the rear for an eventual brake/running light, and one is facing up in the roof just ahead of the trolley pole that will do the sparking caternary effect later.

    I also had to build a “dashboard” and “rear deck lid” in the body shell to block the light from the front and rear LEDs... it looked silly with only the front and rear windows lit up.

    Still a little light spill from the rear on the tracks. But won’t look bad once I add the red lens paint to the led I think.

     
  2. SP-Wolf

    SP-Wolf TrainBoard Supporter

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    Happy Birthday -- and -- the PCC's are looking good.

    Wolf
     
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  3. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks Wolfgang!

    Also thanks to Carl for telling me about the fiber optics sampler. I used it for the pole, the headlight and the tail lights.

    Spent way too much time on it, but other than installing the sparking module, it is done!

    Several folks have asked how I mounted it, etc. so I will start there.

    I used the Tomytec TR-Tm04 chassis, extended to the second wheelbase, and with the LL frame extensions front and rear.
    I also used the supplied weights in the extensions. It is a very very close match the front is a little short, but some cardstock from Kato packaging (it’s green) worked for the tiny lip I added on the front.

    To mount the shell, I used a couple of strips of 1/16th? Foam I had laying around. One strip per side where the original mounts were, but skipping the door. You can also sort of see the “dashboard” and the decklid box I made from card stock and lined with aluminum foil for light blocking purposes.

    See here:

    451C5406-5883-4395-91F5-8F2AF27FB542.jpeg


    and here:

    0849CB71-CA82-43C0-99AA-A4332E7D658A.jpeg

    And here you can see how simply I mounted the front LED and the chin plate I made. (And yes I painted the rear decklid box’s foil interior with tamiya red translucent paint because, why not?)

    75C988C1-FB57-4967-80C8-AAC325F00189.jpeg

    Now on to tonight’s accomplishments.

    First I drilled the original pole base for a .075 fiber optic cable then made a matching hole in the body, cut to length and pushed it most of the way thru, then carefully flared the inner end with a lighter. I then trimmed almost all the original pole off, and used the remainder of it as a “support”
    I then painted it black for light control.

    79788B83-17D7-4E50-B861-47650879143C.jpeg

    After fiddling with the location of the upper LED to get it correctly aligned, I then painted the pole aluminum, and touched the wheel faces with Tamiya panel line brown. Worked great to give them that new but oxidized look.

    B74EE339-601B-406C-86C1-A47CC6A2AB62.jpeg


    Proof of concept was successful:

    (You can also see I have the rear LED installed and painted red but the lights aren’t drilled out yet.)





    Now I ran the chassis shell off just to make sure there were no obvious issues... and also to share what it looks like under the shell.




    Now that I was happy with it, I finished by painting the clearance lights front and rear, did a little tamiya black panel line on all the cast details.
    I also drilled and installed 075 fiber optics (flared very slightly) for the rear lenses. Before pushing them home, I spread a little Krystal Kleer in the hole, and painted them with Tamiya translucent red paint.

    B1AD706C-182C-4B4A-A08E-45A2ECA93E29.jpeg


    The maintenance crew at the San Medina Trolley Company finally removed the PTC logos and side numbers, they left the front and rear numbers though.
    I guess they haven’t come up with their own logo yet?

    F5190232-1487-497B-82F5-862AD3962D32.jpeg

    And finally here it is in action...

    As Mr. Rogers would say, please use your power of imagination that the pole is flickering on briefly and randomly... instead of steady on.




    I hope you enjoyed following along on this adventure!
     
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  4. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Not bad. I used the lower voltage module as suggested instead of the analog version, but that was a mistake. It now comes on before motor does. I will have to go back and find room for a resistor between the bridge rectifier and the module at some point to change that behavior.
     
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  5. JMaurer1

    JMaurer1 TrainBoard Member

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    Those are some of the worst builds I have ever seen :LOL::rolleyes:
     
  6. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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  7. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sorry if I didn’t follow, were you talking about the PCC?
    I thought the PCC was fun and I’m looking forward to getting the lines installed now that the pole “sparks”.
    I enjoy the serious train modeling, but It should be fun too. It’s one of the things I most liked about monorail modeling. And the thing survived my daughter taking it and trying to re-rail it when no one was looking.



    If you were making a joke and meant buildings instead of builds., yes. Just easier to put bottles, boxes, random stuff in the middle to get an idea of what it would be like with buildings, alleyways, etc.
     
  8. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Not sure where to post this, but I was watching NHK World this morning and enjoyed this brief railway segment from their Japan From Above series. The videography is excellent.

    YouTube won't allow me to embed or even link to the video here, so you'll need to go to YouTube and search for:

    Staying on Track [Aomori] - JAPAN FROM ABOVE: UP CLOSE
     
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2019
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  9. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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  10. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well folks, good news:
    My Tomix 500 type EVA Shinkansen arrived today!
    We unboxed and unwrapped it, all the accessories stickers manuals etc are still in their wrapping and it is mint/ like new condition as I expected!

    Bed news:
    What also arrived today is a letter from our landlords letting us know they will not be renewing our lease because they are gifting the house to their daughter, so we have until October 31st to find a new place to live. Grrrrr. I had hoped not to move for 1- two more years until we were ready to buy a house of our own.
    So I immediately wrapped it back up and put it away.

    I had planned to finally glue and ballast the track on the matching twin TTRAK module this weekend, but I may not even bother with that. Everything train related needs to start getting boxed up and put away, so we can start using the folding tables and space to pack the rest of the household stuff, sort thru what to keep and what to Garage sale, etc.

    I’m getting a seriously loaded 2015 f31 Msport with the active suspension later this week, since my also seriously loaded (I have factory TV!) 2004 e46 Touring needs to be taken off the road for a while before I hand it down to my son... so all my hobby money is about to be redirected to that anyway.
    In a way it makes it easier to put away the trains. For now.

    Just wanted to give a heads up as to why I’ll be around very little for the next few months and not posting updates or new mods and ideas.
    I apologize in advance for that, as I also was looking forward to having something completed.
    I haven’t even run a train since the New Mexico Nscalers invited us up in March to debut the Daylight and ac12 for the first time on their club layout at an open house.
    I do want to say It’s a great layout and if you get the chance to attend an open house, please do. Very fun guys and a very fun layout to Railfan on!

    So for now I will say till next time, and hope to see you all again soon!
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2019
  11. Joe Lovett

    Joe Lovett TrainBoard Member

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    Keep in touch with us and good luck on finding another place to live. Cynthia and I have been looking for a new home so we can get out of this apartment. So I know how you feel. Fortunately we don't have a time limit.

    Joe
     
  12. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Richard,

    Glad to hear about the new train and happy it made the journey in one piece.

    Sad to hear about the forced move. Moves suck, a lot of work. In our 56-1/2 years we moved cities 4 times and 3 times in El Paso. So, no expert but well challenged.

    You do not have to "moth ball" all of your trains, you are more than welcome to come to our monthly "run/fun day" at the layout and partake. The annual fair will be Wed. 9/25 - Sun. 9/29. we usually operate the layout from 9:00 am to 7 or 8 pm, depending on traffic. If you get "withdrawal symptoms" come on up.

    Carl
     
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  13. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks Carl. We did find a new slightly smaller place but it has a long built in workbench in the garage, perfect for running t trak modules or Just to lay down some unitrack on.
    We have the weekend of the 21st and the 28th to get moved in to the new place, as we agreed to be out by end of September for an incentive payment. And their daughter is buying our washer dryer combo so we only have to sell the double fridge.

    But My daughter and I might be able to sneak up on the 29th.
    Would be very nice to see you and the guys again.
    I’ll have to bring the giant Kato rerailer and the ABA F3s this time.
    Perhaps someone can help me figure out how to get them to consist, couldn’t seem to get DCC++ to do it in JMRI!

    I also told Mike, and I’m reaffirming to you, we have two 8ft and two 6ft folding banquet tables we bought so if the club (or you personally) ever need to borrow them let us know.
     
  14. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Carl, thanks for reaching out. I look forward to coming up again to y’alls open house. Hard to believe it has been a year already. Finally got the last Daylight articulated coach out to finally finish the interior painting and installing the Kato light kit tonight so I can finally run the whole consist.
    sadly with everything packed away for the last 6 months, nothing has gotten done at all since August until tonight, and it will probably all get packed up again after the open house. Just don’t have room to play with them here at this house. Nor much free time now that my daughter is nearly 3.
     
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  15. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Moving!?! It can be such a pain.

    i just finished a move from California to Idaho. To live closer to my daughter and her family. Packing was a (expletive I can't use here). I kept a inventory of what was in each packing box for future reference. My train layout was built in sections but didn't come down as planned. You guys and gals that are in to T-track maybe on to something.

    Anyway, I didn't mean to turn this into being about me. Just letting you know you aren't alone and it's difficult when renting to find the perfect place and settle down into it.

    The best to you and your family.
     
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  16. JMaurer1

    JMaurer1 TrainBoard Member

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    So does that mean you'll be changing your name to BosieRick?
     
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  17. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bossy Rick, LOL ! I had employees that worked for me call me worse. Sigh.

    Remember you asked?

    No! I'm reminded each time I go out to shop, eat in a fast food joint, do laundry in a laundromat that Californians are not welcomed here. One young lady flat told me to go home and quit polluting her state. I thanked her for the warm and fuzzy welcome. Pretty sure they've done a good job polluting Idaho, on their own.

    So no, i'll stick with BarstowRick.

    There is a story behind how i got the nick. I spent a lot of time on another website talking about Barstow and the fun we had growing up there. The nick was given to me by Al Bowen, if I remember right. Barstow, is for all purposes my home town. Conception: I went to a party with my Dad and came home with my Mom. So, here I am. Despite growing up in Hollister, Ca. where the dad that raised me and my mom lived. I had a family of Santa Fe and Union Pacific Rails that worked out of Barstow and Yermo. I would get to visit them during the summer months. My home away from home.

    Loads of fun watching the then, high number of passenger trains come through and my grandpa and step great grandpa bring their locals in to the Barstow Yard. It was a hub for all EB's and WB's splitting off in four different directions. It was fun while it lasted. Steam to diesel transition years.

    I have a website entitled BarstowRick.com. If my son-in law and I can ever get the website back up again. It's all about "Model Railroading How To's", admittedly of which there are many out there. Of course with a different spin then what you normally run into. Emphasis being on avoiding the mistakes (and you can make mistakes) that most of us as newbies, usually make. It's all part of the learning curve and what you usually see is "Newbies teaching Newbies The Same Mistakes." I wanted to avoid that. The old adage of do it right the first time, comes to mind. My goal was to help newbies get started on a better footing then what I had. You know the school of hard knocks and lessons learned. Which is in reality how we all learn. Sigh!

    The website or blog has a good number of very positive Video How To's, by some of the best in the hobby. Some are newbies, I did say they are newbies, but they are doing it right. If you get my drift.

    I emphasize some of the mistakes I made and the learning curve I went through. All in hopes of making things better for today's Newbies.

    So I figure, I better stick with the nick BarstowRick for now. Besides it's all about a desert oasis and the people that make me feel right at home each and every time I've been back to visit.

    For now I'm enjoying what I can of the Union Pacific Main Line that runs through here. Lot's to do in Idaho, just no energy to do it.

    That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Grin!

    Before I forget, I like what was done with the Trolley. I have a similar project on my work bench.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2020
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  18. JMaurer1

    JMaurer1 TrainBoard Member

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    You left out mentioning the weather extremes: Barstow is HOT (unless it is very cold). Boise is COLD (unless it is colder). I grew up in Ontario with a fair amount of time spent in Colton, San Bernadino andCajon Pass. Always intended to drive thru the pass and go to the Barstow yard, but I always seemed to make it further than the pass (if not sooner). These days its Roseville yard and the hill.

    I used to travel to Idaho for work...in fact I spent a year (several years in fact) there one week (1 week in Idaho = 1 year anywhere else). If there's lots to do in Idaho, I did a great job of avoiding finding whatever it is.
     
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  19. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jeff, you're alright in my book. I envy where you live and the ample train watching around you.

    It's true: Barstow is cold in the winter and a step or two beyond warm in the summer. That's why many of us drove the back way to Big Bear Lake to cool off. One of the reasons I choose to retire in Big Bear Lake, CA. Until Big Bear started having problems with traffic grid lock due to the ski slopes and the lack of a good Policing when the flatlanders are in town. Then there's the Sierra Groups and what they are or aren't allowing the NFS to do. And the potential fire threat that means to the mountain communities. Never mind what the Fire Departments are putting people through they need more money to handle the influx in population during ski season and they want the people of Big Bear to pay for it. Let the flatlanders pay for it. Saddly, Big Bear isn't the Big Bear I knew as a kid. The small mountain community has become an extension of Orange County. Taxes on top of taxes and the state wants to repeal Prop 13. A clear message we sent to the California Legislature once upon a time. Events the City approves and plans, but doesn't watch out for the locals. So after taking as much as I could, it was time to move.

    Thankfully, my daughter invited me to Idaho, where I can rent an apartment she and her husband own and now I can hibernate. ZZZZ And work on my N scale layout.

    Okay, that's enough about me.

    So Jeff, are you planning live wires to drive the trolley?
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2020
  20. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    I think you meant Rick ( I’m Richard also). No live wires, though it does have a spark module to emulate it when running. I’ve seen HOs do it with an led at the end of the pole, I did it with an LED on the inside of the shell and a fiber optic pole.
    I had it running at work on my desk for about 3 months on a dc throttle made from a crayon box and china PWM motor controller, powered by 4xAA (rules about plugging things in).
     

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