We are back from the weekend, how did you all do this past weekend? As predicted, I got zero done this weekend but not entirely due to snowmobiling. While Saturday I did enjoy a long day exploring the many trails in my area, I received a gift of a cold the next day so I spent most of my time in bed Sunday. Oh well, there is always next weekend. So how about you? What did you get done this weekend? Let us know. We’ll assemble again on Friday the 8th to do it all over again. Until then, have a great week, stay safe and as always... High Greens!
I succumbed... There was a model train sale/gathering nearby, and in addition to a project (an Atlas GP40-2 to put a CN comfort cab on), I fell in love with a beauty - an BLI USRA light Mikado, Grand Trunk 3715... I finally bought a steam loco! It runs like a charm, and has sound that works with DC, not as flexible as DCC but you take what you can get. A spot of lube in the right places and the squeaks disappeared (any decent engineer lubes his machine regularly!). I love it. Problem is... I'm feeling an urge welling up to get more steam engines... or is it really a problem?
Picked up a package of assorted emery boards, to help with my HOn30 and other, projects. Just now was sitting down to get serious, but then I decided to check in here, instead.....
Mike VE2 - Congrats on entering the world of steam! It will intrigue you and entice you and draw you in!! The wife slipped on ice and broke her wrist, had to go out for a smoke. Another hidden cost of that habit...so did a lot of nursing. But, did find time to drive trains, and finally got tired of this switch constantly causing derailments. Either at the points or frog, So, time to upgrade. Started on some #8's, Also managed to build the frog pieces, but no pic. While having the soldering iron out, assembled my bug swatter-static applicator.
Ripped out all the roadbed and track I had laid, which came out pretty badly. Ordered a whole bunch of unitrack. Let's see what next weekend brings!
Trees made, and completed. And to top it all off even though train was a bit tardy Saturday night (slept all day Sunday) I was still able to finish the large pile of trees that I had accumulated and get the ballasting done on this section. And it also started snowing again on the layout. I have used a whole bottle of woodland scenics flex paste and everything looks good. I should know by tonight if I need to make more trees. Layout is almost just over half way completed.
I managed to finish up my control panel turnout indicator project. Gonna go a long way in assisting ops. Yesterday, after finishing up the control panel project --- I finally vacuumed the train room floor -- long over due. Then, I cleaned the track and ran some trains. Hope Y'all had a great weekend, Wolf
Installed 2 more DS64's and got power to them. Haven't powered the turnouts to them yet. I did manage to build 7 wiring harnesses to go from Tortoise motors to 8 pole terminals. Took a while because I ran out of screw terminal headers for Tortoise machines. So I used solder type headers.
Finally got my BLI PRR M1b back to life. Went back to adress 3. Everything good now. Reset back to road number.
This was my goal: But I didn't get much time on the printer this weekend, and I spent most of the time I did have trying to dial in the wheels. Regardless I think I'm off to a good start:
I bought a N scale box of Titchy Train Group assorted doors and windows number 2522. They will be used on my Ft. Smith depot for my layout on module 03. Joe
I radically changed the drilling procedures for my trolley poles. The poles were all placed before drilling holes for span wires. OK, I know, hindsight rules, but hey.... At any rate, thanks to my son, I found out that a #62 bit in a Dremel drills best in soft brass at about 30,000 RPM. Now, instead of taking 2-3 minutes per pole at 2000 RPM, it takes only 10-15 seconds at 30,000. Also need a small clamp with plastic grips to dampen the pole from resonating. Kinda hard to start a hole while free-holding a Dremel with a #62 bit while the pole is wandering all over the place.
Winter scene is complete and the logging camp is almost finished. I ran out of trees. Then the boys out scene will be complete as well. Need trees for that as well.
