MODELING It's Monday, February 15th 2021: Weekend Modeling Accomplishments

Jim Wiggin Feb 15, 2021

  1. Jim Wiggin

    Jim Wiggin Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome back everyone. I hope you all had a great weekend and got a lot done. Let's begin.

    Saturday: Well, even though I was able to leave work early, I still did not get an early start on the layout. Regardless, Ang and I did enjoy a nice meal out at one of our favorite establishments. Saturday I started on finally getting the train shop organized. It was a great feeling to have things put away. At 1:00pm, my local NMRA chapter had a Zoom meeting so I attended that then went back to work on the layout. I glued on some fascia and finished up the organization of the work shop. By later that night, I was disappointed to see that the fascia was warped so off it came and I called it a night.

    Sunday: Was just as bitter cold as they had reported. I spent the morning sanding the area where I had to take of the fascia and after hours of sanding, it was ready once again. This time I used glue and #4 wood screws to attach the fascia without warping. The screws are counter sunk so they can be mudded and sanded smooth later. With that done, I filled in the gaps on top and sanded some more. I took a break at one point and watched a Facebook Live presentation of RR slides from the gentleman who used to run the Galesburg RR Days model train show. Unfortunately, he passed away last year but his slides were saved and shown through a local RR Club. It was interesting to see the area as it was 40 years ago. By evening I had all the fascia and the top smoothed out and ready for brown paint but Angela had prepared a home made meatloaf with mashed potatoes, and mushroom gravy for my Valentines gift so the layout was put on hold for next weekend. All in all, a good weekend.

    So how about you? What did you get done this past weekend? Let us know. We'll assemble again on Friday the 19th to start the process all over again. Until then, everyone have a great week, stay safe, stay healthy and as always...

    High Greens!
     
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  2. Chris Hall

    Chris Hall TrainBoard Member

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    I spent the weekend battling with my 3D printer. Was trying to make a box to fit around the DCC++ system to give it some protection under the layout and despite several efforts, changing settings, adding extra support and the like it still wasn't quite working. About half way through the print it would just fall off the plate. I eventually solved the problem mid Sunday afternoon (each print took around 3 hours) to the base plate not quite in alignment and the suction when printing each layer was causing the print to warp then eventually fail.

    Plus side was whilst waiting for the prints I was able to test the DCC system and also start looking into automation of the layout with some basic scripts. Just need to learn Python now.

    IMG_4468.jpg
     
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  3. Kitbash

    Kitbash TrainBoard Supporter

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    Happy Monday. Got 2 out of 3 done this weekend.

    Saturday I cleaned both mainlines using the CMX tanker and following w/ the Centerline roller cleaner. I had the roller following about 10' behind the tanker, each pulled by its own engine. Worked really well and I'll probably use that method from here on out. In the afternoon I disconnected all of my Digitrax boosters/command stations and set up for replacing the DCS100 that fried.

    Sunday was spent mostly re-wiring and configuring my boosters and command stations. Took quite a bit of time behind the electronics shelf working or organizing and wire management of all the conductors back there. That is very time consuming, but it is done. Also replaced my power strip feeding the system w/ an APC commercial strip I scored that incorporates a pretty hefty surge supressor.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Unpacked the box of kits as hoped. May start one later today. Weather, work and life have prevented getting with my hobby supplier to pick up my grab irons, so have been making my own. Not difficult, except for getting them all to match in shape and size, which makes the task slightly tedious.
     
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  5. Tim Holmes

    Tim Holmes TrainBoard Member

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    Hello Everyone:

    Its been a good weekend, I'm still recovering my strength and flexability and stamina after my bypass surgery, so I didnt get anything done on the layout this weekend, but hopefully this week or next weekend, I can do a bit -- we'll see what the docs say -- I have 3 appointments this week :D

    Everyone have a GREAT week

    TIM
     
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  6. Philip H

    Philip H TrainBoard Member

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    Spent over an hour excavating the workbench top. Spent 3 hours covering plants and pool pumps for the sleet and freeze coming today (!). Then started on a new flatcar load:

    [​IMG]

    The clear plastic things will be painted industrial yellow and with some strategic holes and NBW castings should take on the look of overhead crane parts. I hope. The flatcar is an old 50' Atlas that I redecked in laser cut wood (sadly I don't remember which vendor) and weathered with an india ink wash. Still need trucks, a side mount brake wheel couplers and decals for it.
     
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  7. dualgauge

    dualgauge TrainBoard Member

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    Got most of the track plan drawn onto piece of plywood. One place will have to change to fit. Trying to do The old Scenic & Relaxed from Nine N Scale Model Railroads. Trying to use Atlas code 55 Flex and turnouts making it 6 inches wider and longer, to have at least 12 inch radius curves.
     
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  8. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    Good to see you are doing well.
    Be careful in the snow and ice.
     
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  9. SP-Wolf

    SP-Wolf TrainBoard Supporter

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    I went a different direction than what I planned - kind of.

    I didn't do as much work on my layout (As planned)

    Saturday: I installed decoders and added some details to another St.LSW FT set (They are factory painted)

    Sunday: - Continued with FT set and installed body mount couplers on a new pair of SP tank cars (can't have too many)
    And - re-installed a switch motor.

    The other FT set:

    [​IMG]

    Hope Y'all had a great weekend,
    Wolf
     
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  10. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    I didn't accomplish as much I had planned but I did reach a milestone.

    I finished up wiring both the control panel and track wiring. Then I ran a locomotive on all the trackage. That didn't take long since it is a HCD layout.

    On an audio entertainment note, I finished Alien Covenant Origins and Started Alien Covenant. I'm listening to everything Alien in chronological order.
     
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  11. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    Got up real early Saturday morning to get to Home Depot when it first opened. Picked up the tempered hard board I've been needing to finish the current layout expansion. Had the front edge fascia cut out, glued, and clamped by noon.

    2020TBLP51.jpg


    Then Saturday afternoon I cut out the piece to go over the end where the gate is. On Sunday this piece got glued and clamped and the joints along the front edge got patched.

    2020TBLP50.jpg

    Along with working on the fascia I was assembling the vehicles that came with the Micro-Trains DoD flat car sets. I modified a couple of the HUMVEEs to resemble some I had seen in videos.

    TBWOMW14Feb21.jpg
     
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  12. Mark St Clair

    Mark St Clair TrainBoard Member

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    It was a good weekend. Got to practice my snow shoveling skills a couple times. Raining now so today and tomorrow will be big puddle days.

    Got the Valentine's Day gift prepared.
    Vday 210214.jpg
    I won't see Sharon until Thursday so I immediately felt ahead of schedule.

    I finished sorting work space stuff. Placed the power supplies and throttles in the new drawer. Wiring will be done later. Have a small pile to take to storage later this week.

    My supplies arrived on Saturday, which meant on Sunday I finally made some small holes.
    WIN_20210214_20_42_01_Pro.jpg
    The top strip was made with a 00000 center drill. That was difficult for me to control as you can see from the variation in the holes.
    The second and third strips were made with an end mill. The holes are nominally .010" in .030" wide strip. I am quite happy with the results. I included a #80 (.0135") bit for comparison. I have a few more to do before I move on to the next step.

    Stay safe,
     
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  13. Helitac

    Helitac TrainBoard Member

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    We caught a storm Friday night, Salem, OR, sleet and wind, took out a bunch of powerlines, still w/o power Monday AM. Kind of rearranged priorities, internet came back sometime last night so reestablishing contact with the outside world. Got a 2k generator running Sunday afternoon, so coffeemaker and table lamp and cell/laptop are up. Portable radio playing my blues station, not nearly so cold today.
     
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  14. Tompm

    Tompm TrainBoard Supporter

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    This weekend was not a good one. My knee was aching at times and other times downright painful. On top of that my bladder issues decided to have a flare up. Saturday was really bad with a good amount of pain. Sunday was still bad but less than Sunday. Today so far it has been so-so. Since there is no medication that helps, I was in pain management mode and drinking water to flush out the system just in case the cause was from something I ate or drank. The flushing meant I was running to the bathroom constantly, but it did seem to help. This was the worst flare up I have had in probably six or eight months. Things are better today but there are still some residual effects.

    As a result, nothing got done on the layout or workbench. I was hoping to do something today but I am unsure. We are waiting for the plumber to come and install a new faucet in our powder room on the first floor. This is something we have needed to do for years.
     
  15. dti406

    dti406 TrainBoard Member

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    Well, bowling Friday was not good, especially after a 620 on Tuesday night.

    Saturday, went to the club and ran my Bowser NYC C430's with a bunch off NYC and other assorted cars. Only had one problem where I lost a coupler spring and had to remove the car from the train. Also started decaling an Athearn 50's Sieco Boxcar and finished the Tichy covered hopper car.

    Sunday, I painted the Tichy car and started decaling it and the Sieco car along with finishing an IMRC Canadian Grain Hopper kit that I had started at some time in the past.

    Completed Tichy car.
    [​IMG]

    Rick Jesionowski
     
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  16. Mark St Clair

    Mark St Clair TrainBoard Member

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    Tompm,

    Just can’t bring myself to “Like” your post. Feels like applauding misfortune. I do hope you feel better very soon.

    Stay safe,


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  17. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Good weekend! Friday I installed some woodland scenics fencing which pretty much finished up my log mill scene. I also added some UPs figures amd trucks around the layout. Sorry I don’t have a photo to share today. I got a bit distracted.

    Saturday was spent with the local NMRA division. They came over and spent about 4 hours evaluating models. Of all ends well I should have another AP to
    Add to what I already have. Hope to have more info soon. They also brought with them the last AP cert I was able to earn. This gives me three. Only four to go.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  18. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nothing too exciting here. Was a wet weekend and an even wetter Monday so far. Finished decaling some pick up trucks and got 3 of the 4 out onto the layout. One is held back for additional add ons. Installed some more metal wheels and gave them a good long test run. Made a new roof for the grain silos and dug out some waiting to be done projects as well. Not a bad weekend at all here.

    Happy Monday everyone!
     
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  19. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    I agree with Mr. St. Clair. I "like" that things are getting better for Tompm. Hope it continues. And "excavating the workbench top", I am rolling in the floor. We may be related. :ROFLMAO: Congratulations, Kevin Anderson. Your hard work has been recognized. Lots of weather probs for some. It is winter. Projects look great. I am in the process of "shake-down" for operations. I have been surprised by unexpected friction. The work continues. :oops::sick: I also have a flatcar in the shop for reinforcing. Just having more fun. :D All have a good and safe week. (y)
     
  20. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    Weekend went about as expected with work on the garden taking priority on Saturday, 550 2in soil blocks planted which should yield over 600 plants which we will keep around half and give the rest away to neighbors and family.

    Today my parts arrived for ESP32 CS so I've assembled one CS PCB and did a very basic sanity test on the voltages and ensure the esp32 powers up and doesn't immediately let out the magic smoke. Tomorrow I'll update the code for a couple pin assignment updates and fix two footprints which were just a tiny bit too big for the parts I received from LCSC (will also cross check Mouser part numbers to make sure they are 100% identical).

    One thing I've decided today is I really need to invest in a pick-n-place machine. 160 SMT parts on the CS PCB took longer than I expected since I was hunting for the parts in organized boxes (four boxes with 17 unique parts each).[​IMG]

    Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
     

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