Barstow and George ought to like this.... Didn't run a train today, but I played with switches! I have been needing to install the micro SPDT switches to control the frogs when I throw the switch points. So, I did three of them up in the oil plant area.
Took some time last night to fine tune things at the new switch control switches, or 'turnout control operators' for them engineering fellers. This time I used .008 guitar string for a connecting wire instead of .010 PB, and we will see how well they work. They are definitely a stiffer wire, yet still flexible. They work pretty well, and 100% better than stalling every time a short base loco hits the frog! Much happier!
Have been working up three more of the switch control SPDT switches, two were a little more interesting due to being twixt the mainline and the yard lead. I am definitely going to like the wood bases better than the plastic ones! All three and the mug o' java!
All that's left is to solder them to the buss wire under the layout, But I am tied up rebuilding the top end of my chainsaw so I can go out and get more firewood for the winter. Not only for the house, but wood is the sole source of heat for the train shed. Lunch, then back to work....
And after a successful chainsaw rebuild and supper, I made time to go low and solder things up. Also discovering that the switch closest to the work had a missing wire on it and wasn't soldered into the buss either! Which explains why that frog was always a dead spot! Duh! Anyway, got them soldered in and hooked up with connecting rods and tested good! Next is fine tuning things and testing with the #5, as it is the pickiest. Here's a couple of pics, Not quite hooked up yet, but the process is seen. After bending to shape, feed it into the tie rod then over to the SPDT, The only two tools for installing. The red tweexers came from a ladies 'cuticle care kit' years ago. And the two of the new for the east yard lead,
Surely it's a wood-fired boiler for steam heat in the train room?! He who cuts his own firewood gets warm twice. Except one winter, when I was home from college for Christmas break, my dad and I were cutting firewood in the middle of a cold snap (+8F at midday in the Arkansas Ozarks, with a stiff north wind and spitting snow). Try as we might, we could not work hard enough to stay warm cutting firewood! I remember we were trying mightily, yet in vain, to split an elm log that kept spitting the wedge, when I was gleefully surprised that my dad yelled "calf rope!" and we headed for the house. We normally never cut elm for firewood (for just that reason), but this tree had blown down the spring before, and Dad being the resourceful soul he was, decided it shouldn't go to waste. I would have been more than happy just to let it rot where it lay, in the bottom of the ravine.
Those are some old memories. Cutting down trees, cutting into sections with a 4' saw powered by a belt from the tractor and then splitting. Of course hauling to the house an moving some downstairs. A nice BIG super afterwards. Before going out to milk the cows. Awh the memories!! I much prefer going for a walk thru the park and on return checking the thermostat.
Yeah, time and memories tend to gloss over the tiring toil, leaving only the smiles and good times. There were hundreds of episodes of cutting firewood and other chores that are not nearly as memorable. Oh, the meals my mom would cook; time has seasoned those memories to perfection too!
Boxcab - each wire is bent per the actual location, though they are all fairly similar. Big Jake - Lots of memories as we grow less young! Plan on cutting down trees tomorrow and getting them set for firewood. Have a location that had a fire blow through, it killed off a lot of the windbreak trees. Free firewood for a few years there. Yes, that means the chainsaw rebuild went well. Yay!! So, I fine tuned switches and SPDT's this morning, then worked in three more on the east end, Here's a couple of pics of the way I drill out the location, then use the micro saw and files to finish the hole to fit, (MicroMark tools has the saw bldes)
I do place a pan of water atop the stove for a bit of steam. Adds to the humidity and adds to the aroma! Mmmm good!!
Thanks! It needs touching up here n there, where paint has worn off the PCB ties, and rail needs rusted in a lot of places. But I do like how it shows up in pictures!
A bit behind here, but have been working on the coal bunker. Need that so I can finish up the east end of the yard, track, switches and service facilities. I picked up an old Western Railcraft kit a couple of years ago for this use, and it is a close fit to the NP style, so here we go. There were a few missing pieces, and the instructions were a bit of a puzzle, all 2 pages. One page is a drawing, and the other is fine print directions. Anyway, it isn't as tough to understand as I thought it would be at first glance. Some of the parts, Main bunker, With vertical supports and track supports, A Tichy gon with some open doors, 2 more to go, With plastic doors. Now for chutes and cables and...
Got hung up with 'work' and stuff. But, tomorrow we have to run to Billings, so a trip to my LHS is in order. John sold it to a new fella, and it has changed names to Rimrock Hobbies. I do need some wood, wood siding, and a few other detail things for the coal bunker.
Yup. He was busily rearranging things in the store to fit his vision, so I only was able to pick up a bit of strip wood and some chain. But, it was good to meet up with the young new owner and visit with John, the outgoing owner. He is helping Liam to get himself familiarized with everything. Should be fun! Had to order some scribed wood siding, he will ship it to me. Yay! Got another train show over in St. Cloud, MN next weekend, should be fun!
