The picture from the last day: Most work is - as usual - under the segment. Now, all is wired and functional. Wolfgang
aaallll man party is over here are my last shots here we have the general store scene that was finished by painting the road and all i have to do is add some cars and it will be completly done : i decided to make a flange greaser so here it is: here is a better shot of the park scene finally: and finally the west portal of the tunnel is done :
My original goals for the Spring Layout Party included: 1. installing some decoders in locos, 2. adding some scenery around the P&PU's main yard in East Peoria, 3. installing some stationary decoders to operate turnouts and program them so turnouts along entire routes could be aligned with a single switch command. The NW2s now have their drop-in decoders, but I fried the RS-1 decoder when I did the hard-wired installation...I think the solder on a motor wire stuck out enough that it caused a fatal short. I had ordered another by leaving a phone message and got a callback a day or so later indicating the Goof-Proof warranty covers me so there won't be any charge (Yea!), but I've got to send it in (which I haven't arranged yet...Boo/Hiss), but now that I'm off work for a week of spring break, I'll have time to do that (Yea!). Final rating on Goal #1 = Partially met: 3 out of 4 locos have working decoders and I've gained some experience to apply toward installing the last one. Initially, my second goal had been to put in a highway bridge across the northern end of the yard and some trees across the back of that section of the yard (about 4 inches deep and running for 8 or 10 feet along the backdrop). I had planned to mount photos of the Peoria skyline behind the trees to enhance the backdrop. I ended up revising that goal drastically: the 10 Ric's Bridge sections that I had available were only half of what would have been necessary, so I decided I'd use foamboard for the road surface, Plastruct pieces for the beams, and wooden dowels for the bridge supports. But that was still way too ambitious for the Spring Layout Party timeframe, so I set my goal to scenic a much smaller area (4 to 6 inches deep and only 30 inches long) at the other end of the yard with ballast, grass, lichen trees, a small building and some pics of the Peoria skyline on the backdrop behind the trees. I was able to accomplish this by the middle of the Layout Party, but I've noticed the tree line is not as high as it ought to be for it to be in proportion with the rest of the yard structures and scenery, so I'm going to raise the height of the distant trees and the skyline pics about 2 or 3 more inches. Final rating on the revised/reduced scenery Goal #2 = Partially met: Ballast, grass, and lichen trees were fine but I still have work to do on the distant trees and skyline height to meet the goal. I'm giving myself some extra credit on this Spring Layout Party goal for: a. adding over 120 new pics of the Peoria Skyline to my computer for future projects, b. purchasing most of the parts for the redesigned bridge project, and c. determining the proportionally correct treeline height for the entire yard (which was a lot trickier than I'd expected due to trying to force perspective with building flats between a modeled grain elevator next to the tracks and the skyline pics on the backdrop. I was over-ambitious in setting Goal #3, as well. I figured I could decipher the stationary decoder manual quickly and it would just be a matter of: a. wiring the stationary decoders into the existing circuitry of toggles and 27 Tortoises around the Pekin Helix and around the Peoria Helix, and b. programming 8 of the dozen or so possible routes through the Pekin and Peoria Helixes into one of the DS64s to permit correctly aligning, with a single switch command, the appropriate turnouts along each of those 8 possible routes. I have been moving forward on installing the stationary decoders around the Pekin Helix and programming the routes, but last night I discovered I haven't made nearly as much progress as I'd thought. I'm using a mix of stationary decoders (Digitrax DS44s, DS54s, and DS64s) and realized last night that I will need to number my switches through Pekin and the Pekin Helix a little differently to use the stationary decoders in the combinations I want. This means I'll have to reprogram the 5 routes that get new switch numbers...fortunately, I know how to do it now, so I don't think it will be as tough the 2nd time through as it was the first. Final rating for Goal #3 = Partially met: a. I learned how to program switch alignment for entire routes combining 3 different types of Digitrax stationary decoders; b. I finished programming 3 of the 8 routes, but need to edit and re-enter the remaining 5 before they will be correct; and c. I integrated the Pekin Helix stationary decoders with the existing toggles and turnout alignment indicator lights for the mainlines through Pekin and the Pekin Helix, but not for the motorized turnouts in the yards. I still have lots to do on this goal: a. Replace 2 ground throws with Tortoises to make the 8 mainline routes work the way I envision (minimal progress). b. Install the stationary decoders that will activate the Peoria Helix turnouts (minimal progress). c. Integrate the Peoria Helix stationary decoders with existing toggle switches and alignment indicator lights (no progress). d. Add toggles and alignment indicator lights on the other side of the Peoria Helix (no progress). All things considered...I'm pleased with where I'm at right now, and I expect to meet more of the goals while I'm on vacation next week.
Well, I fell way short of the goal, and managed to just get all the tracks reconnected today. A local move forced diassembling the layout, and reassembly was stalled for 3 weeks thanks to business trips, and busy days at work. Such is life, I guess. I managed to get the rough rock work for Tunnels 8-10 started, and painted, any nothing else. I also got roughed-in portals for Tunnel 8 and 10: Tunnel 8 west portal: Tunnel 10 east portal:
I'll throw up the white flag. I was gung-ho to accomplish something further on the layout but I got sidetracked and inexcusably acheived nothing this time around. I did do a few minor railroading projects but nothing significant. I promise I will be ready to go next time around.
train1: that's okay, I know how life can be. I'll let you off this time if you manage to get something (anything) done before the next party hemi: tunnel 8/10 looks good, despite the move's best efforts... ppuinn: that surgery looks serious. Is that the one that fried or one that made it out okay? Yay, skyline.. RRfan: looks greasy.. Wolfgang: Wow. Nice non-orthogonal boxes. Note to self: ground cover. Flash: the carpark still looks beaten, even if you can't see the pavement cracks in the photo. No little guy putting up a new billboard though? Everyone else: need.. :camera: more.. :camera: photos..
Here're more pics. Like I said the work is mostly under the earth - eh segment. :angel: I've no room to establish the whole module, all five segments. This will be Thursday at the FREMO meeting. Then I can make more pics. Wolfgang
I took the pic above after removing the motor tabs from the brush caps but before attempting any installation...you can see the tabs on the right of the picture. The tabs push up against the frame to pick up power from the frame and transfer it to the brush caps, and decoder installation requires the tabs are removed so the only power to the motor comes through the decoder. The installation requires soldering the motor wires to the brush caps along the cap's beveled edge. Apparently my soldering job stuck up too far and touched the frame. I couldn't see any place that looked like the smoke escaped but I couldn't get anything to light up on my tester after I uninstalled it. I was resigned to buying a $29 replacement and left a message ordering it on the dealer's phone on the weekend, but he called back on Monday or Tues and left a message on my machine saying I was covered by a Goof-Proof warranty and just need to go to the manufacturer's website for details on where to return it for a free replacement (which I'll probably have time to do on break this week).
Just a quick spin around the layout. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rTwN_N3YvM"]YouTube - Tunnel Run[/ame]
Another Good Party Well, I didn't get as much done as I'd planned, but all things considered I think I got a lot done, and the party had a positive influence on my progress. (so, I got more done than I might have otherwise) I don't have any new photos, and really the only thing I've done since my last photo report was soldering a bunch of feeders to track. I'll continue to post photos on my blog of layout progress so check there soon for more progress photos. Goals (Final completion % in parenthesis): -Finish "first pass" of detection/transponding/signalling plan. (95%) -Finish laying track and wiring feeders on the bottom level. (80%) -Get detection installed and working for hidden staging/Fort Worth. (50%) -Lay roadbed/track on top level section to get it ready for testing and connection to bottom level. (20%) -Finish building, painting, and weathering Walthers truss bridge (100%) Optional (Current completion % in parenthesis): -Weather track on bottom level. (50%) -Install Tortoise machines on bottom level (0%) -Get transponding working in staging (50%)
Nice progress folks! Forgot to post some updates over the past few weeks, but I have been working on the layout. Here are my latest work log entries: Started work on the Walthers Cornerstone Series kit Allied Rail Rebuilders ( Walthers Part # 933-3016 and measures 10 x 10 x 6" 25 x 25 x 15cm) and with just about 2 hours of work into this kit all the walls have been completed and some parts have been spray painted. The base was modified to fit the single track lead from the turntable and then it was coated with gray primer. The roof sections were coated with a flat black spray paint and allowed to dry with some other parts, such as roof vents and doors were spray painted a silver metal coating. I wanted to see how it looked on the layout having already measured the section many months ago (10"X10"), I wanted to be sure that I was still going to make the grade. Sure enough, the measures were good! I then fabricated a foundation base with two sections of sheet styrene and then hot glued it to the lift out section. I then added thin styrene sheet to the lift out section edges to replace some cardboard that was initially utilized. The thin styrene sheet will provide a better transition for hiding the lift out section. The plan is to apply a layer of scenery base material to the styrene edge and then onto the lift out sections that will not have any building foundations. Then add scenery foam material along the this area. To hide the gap I will most likely add a chain link fence about 1/2" in front of the lift out section edge which will provide a view block to further hide any possibility of seeing the gap. The back and side edge of the lift out section should have enough structures and scenery base material to cover any of those gap areas. The styrene sheet overlaps from the lift out section and onto the permanent benchwork plywood material about 1/2" in all areas.
Also worked on the backdrop area behind the staging / freight yard area. Added another section of Masonite hardboard to create more backdrop along the staging freight yard lead which will complete this area of the layout for the background base. The image to the left highlights the seam that was made using spackling plaster as well as patching a crack that occurred with the previous section. Once this has dried the Spackle will be sanded smooth and then the fresh areas will be painted with the light blue interior latex paint then more clouds will be added. The main reason for this project is due to the continued work on the locomotive servicing facility and backdrop structure progress. The Walthers Cornerstone Series(R) Background Building - Buds Trucking Company (Walthers Part # 933-3192, 19" x 1-1/8" x 4") was completed a few weeks ago and needs to be moved to an area just in front of the new backdrop area. Once the new Masonite backdrop area is completed the scenery base for the area between that and the benchwork will be added to support the background structure. This kit is built as part of an Auto Plant, however, I have seen similar wall and foundation construction for cold storage facilities, I just need to get some roof top details such as compressors for industrial grade coolers and freezers to complete the model. Currently the model sits in the original proposed location, however, the width of the rubber gaskets that surround the loading doors encroaches onto the rolling stock clearance. Thus, the need to move the structure to the other location and contributing to and necessitating the backdrop work required prior to the move. I also have the Lauston Shipping model kit from the Walthers Cornerstone Series(R) Background Building - Kit Series (Walthers Part # 933-3191, 19" x 1-1/8" x 4") which still needs to be built, and it will likely be able to kit near the original section that the cold storage was to be placed. These kits are quick and easy to built and I recommend them for anyone who has backdrop requirements on their layout.
Ryan: You've done a nice job on the engine house. I like the idea of making the model lift out, and then disguising the gap with scenery and chainlink fence. I also noticed lots of pictures mounted on foamboard. I just put together a mock-up of pics on foamboard to test out a bridge placement in one area of my layout and I was surprised how few of my dozens of pictures of the prototype bridge were usable for the mock-up...there always seemed to be a pole, tree or something in the way, or else the image was incomplete and had to be pieced together with another pic (that usually had to be resized to match the first pic). Is there a chance you could post in Railimages some of the pictures of tanks, towers, buildings, etc you've used for your foamboard mounted backdrop pieces so we could size and print them to put on our own layouts? I looked through the photo galleries on your layout website...very impressive! You present well-organized and documented descriptions of your work with lots of pictures. (I've Private Messaged you about the swing gate.)
Dave, I read your PM on the swing gate and sent you a reply! I can post some of the images in the Railimages, but I also have references, i.e. links to sites that I have found that I use for backgrounds on the foam core boards, so should I create a new thread on that topic, and if so what forum section would it be best put to use?
Ryan: A thread about mounting pics on foamboard or backdrops would fit nicely in either the Inspection Pit or Layout Design forum...although it would probably get more views in the Inspection Pit. I think a lot of people will be interested in seeing several examples, conveniently finding some good images in Railimages, and learning about other sources. I hope you get lots of replies with people submitting their own pics and/or sources and how they have incorporated photos on foamboard on their layouts. (I know Pete Nolan and Kenneth Howard have used variations on this idea on their layouts.)
