@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:That’s called guided discovery learning Bob. Good job.
@Dallas Joseph posted:How did the LEDs burn out Bob .....and how can you tell when you are getting a brain cramp ?
The brain cramp occurred when a certain dumb#$@ realized that he wired the resistor in parallel, not series with the marker LEDs. Once the cramp was removed,🤯🤯 the wiring was corrected and all was right in the world again. 🤣🤣
If you cant make fun of yourself, who can you.....👍
@RSJB18 posted:The brain cramp occurred when the dumb#$@ realized that he wired the resistor in parallel, not series with the marker LEDs. Once the cramp was removed,🤯🤯 the wiring was corrected and all was right in the world again. 🤣🤣
If you cant make fun of yourself, who can you.....👍
I have some resistors coming in the mail Bob . I was wondering if I could get your permission to use your verses in one of my next replies on my lighting my ps2 with LEDs ? 🙃😉
I’ve been away from this thread for awhile do to yard work, honey do activities, traveling, and now I’m finally getting back to working on the model railroad. I’m adding some Menards accessories, hopefully I can wire them in soon. Happy Railroading Everyone. 
It has been a rough 2 weeks, between my dyslexia and add I finally got my yard wired and running. Now for some details. Just finished this scratch built loading dock for it. Have a few loads and such in progress. All the other ideas have inspired me to move further with the detailing than I had planned. John
Still working on repainting and assigning cars to the DM&IR. Finished the pulpwood car, two potable water tank cars, and I’m almost done lettering three box cars.
Had a setback yesterday as my "traction sand hopper" took a tumble and broke off one of the corner step. I cut a strip off of a copper sheet, shaped and soldered up a new one. Epoxied it in place last night so I'm good to go again this afternoon. Will prime the corner section after it dries from a wash.
Cheers, Dave
I really like that pulpwood car Dave. I think I need one as well. Good job.
RSJB18...that process you went through is called..."experimential learning" 
Don
@fast freight posted:I really like that pulpwood car Dave. I think I need one as well. Good job.
Thanks! You have my permission to "get'er done"!
Cheers, Dave
Updates to this Williams B&O Shark A-B-A are complete. The final step was conversion to MTH PS 3. This unit differs from stock with: LED headlight & marker lights, cab figures, fixed pilot with scale Kadee coupler and now DCS. There is no smoke unit and I don't really care about smoke on a diesel anyway. While the lead, powered unit has green marker lights I installed red lights in the trailing, dummy A unit. Marker or "classification" lights on a freight locomotive may be dubious but I just think they look cool and hey, it's my railroad anyway. Like most Williams locos this is a stronger puller. With the addition of the PS3 upgrade I now have speed control, good sounds and an operating coupler on the rear of the engine.
@Dallas Joseph posted:I have some resistors coming in the mail Bob . I was wondering if I could get your permission to use your verses in one of my next replies on my lighting my ps2 with LEDs ? 🙃😉
Help yourself. No copyright infringement to worry about here.
@Don McErlean posted:RSJB18...that process you went through is called..."experimential learning"
Don
True but with my experience it was a rookie mistake.
@darlander posted:Still working on repainting and assigning cars to the DM&IR. Finished the pulpwood car, two potable water tank cars, and I’m almost done lettering three box cars.
Had a setback yesterday as my "traction sand hopper" took a tumble and broke off one of the corner step. I cut a strip off of a copper sheet, shaped and soldered up a new one. Epoxied it in place last night so I'm good to go again this afternoon. Will prime the corner section after it dries from a wash.
Nice job Dave. 😉
@Radioman77 posted:It has been a rough 2 weeks, between my dyslexia and add I finally got my yard wired and running. Now for some details. Just finished this scratch built loading dock for it. Have a few loads and such in progress. All the other ideas have inspired me to move further with the detailing than I had planned. John
Good looking loading dock John. 🤓 It's always nice to see a project like this turn out well.
Afternoon guys, I hope everyone is having a good weekend!
@RSJB18, I am glad to hear the brain cramp went away and you were able to get the lights fixed! As for the gremlins, they showed there ugly head! More about that later! LOL
@Dave Ripp., The landscaping around the produce stand looks outstanding!
@leapinlarry, Sure are some nice additions to your layout and you cant beat there prices!
@Radioman77,Looking good, I really love the scratch built loading dock!
@darlander, Dave your skills never quit! Great fix and the pulpwood car turned out amazing!
@Ralph M, Those sure look great! I wish I would have left a rear operating coupler on my ES44AC when I changed it over to fixed pilots and kadees!
Ok guys as for my friends visit yesterday really didn't go very well, I will start out with the good stuff first. While I was cleaning up I found the 2 ambulances I had for my crash scene so I place that and hooked up the lights! Here is a little video that and the rest of the train room as it sits now!
They loved all the lighted building and cars, really loved the airfield and the plane taking off!
Now for the gremlins, I started up the lower level engine and got it rolling nice and slow, then started up the upper level engine and got it going at a faster pace. Things were looking good, great sounds, lots of smoke, then BANG the gremlins showed there ugly heads! First the upper engine stopped and went silent, I figure I will deal with it later as I still had the lower engine to run. Next thing I know its dead in the water! Now I am ****ed! LOL removed the engines, hand cleaned the track in those areas and still nothing!
Went out this morning and you guys tell me what are the chances of 2 power drops coming lose on 2 different tracks with in a couple minutes of each other! LOL Oh well they are fixed this morning!
I hope you all had better luck then I did!
Have a great Sunday!
@mike g. posted:
Great night time action Mike. Love all the lights! Your runway takeoff is a winner!!!!
Cheers, Dave
PS: Fixing flaws and combating gremlins is part of the joys of this hobby. Combating & conquering gremlins and miss-haps is part of the "feel-good" experience! A chance to toast the joys of accomplishment!
Sorry to hear the gremlins reared their ugly heads @mike g.
The layout looks great regardless. At least it was an easy fix.
@darlander- your work on the cars looks terrific. Glad you could fix the broken ladder too.
@Radioman77- nice loading dock. I did a similar one on my team tracks.
@Ralph M- great looking Sharks. Your RR your rules.
Set the two light boards in place on the BEEP last night, nothing else to report at the moment. 
@Snkbittin posted:Finally got the Arch, railings and Cab on the Turntable ..still need to do the motors and bull gears ..along with 5000 other things I need to do
Looking good snkbitten! Now you have all that stuff to do, get to work fella! LoL It's a blast watching all the different things people are doing on their layouts, thanks for sharing!
@WesternPacific2217 posted:Looking good snkbitten! Now you have all that stuff to do, get to work fella! LoL It's a blast watching all the different things people are doing on their layouts, thanks for sharing!
LOL..I am I am..Im just the MOW Superintendent ..My almost 4 yr old Grandson is the head Engineer so I gotta keep him happy and Thanks I love the turntable
Didn't do much today. Weathered 4 vehicles today.
@Dave Ripp. posted:Didn't do much today. Weathered 4 vehicles today.
Thats awesome love it
Great night lighting Mike. 👍
Not exactly the best day for your locomotives .
When I end up with a problem when someone comes to see the amazing layout it does keep me humble. 😉
Today I continued getting bugs out of the CTC Dispatch software. The latest additions are control point Time Lock ("Running Time") and control point automatic All Stop ("Control Point "Stick"). In addition, the USB serial port software has been buggy, so I worked on that too.
I'm nearly complete with the Level 1 software, which is stand-alone Layout Control with CTC Dispatch. Level 1 stand-alone Locomotive Cab Control is operational with some enhancements left to do.
The next big step will be Level 2 software where the Layout interacts with the Locomotive Cab Control. This will enable in-cab signaling, Positive Train Control (PTC), and automatic locomotive operations. My goal is to have that complete by the end of the year.
@Dave Ripp. posted:Didn't do much today. Weathered 4 vehicles today.
Nice job on the autos Dave. Nothing overdone, it looks like you maybe salt the roads to help your motorists get around in the winter months.
@Scaled Automation posted:Today I continued getting bugs out of the CTC Dispatch software. The latest additions are control point Time Lock ("Running Time") and control point automatic All Stop ("Control Point "Stick"). In addition, the USB serial port software has been buggy, so I worked on that too.
I'm nearly complete with the Level 1 software, which is stand-alone Layout Control with CTC Dispatch. Level 1 stand-alone Locomotive Cab Control is operational with some enhancements left to do.
The next big step will be Level 2 software where the Layout interacts with the Locomotive Cab Control. This will enable in-cab signaling, Positive Train Control (PTC), and automatic locomotive operations. My goal is to have that complete by the end of the year.
You lost me after....today I continued....
😂😂😂😂
Sounds like an interesting project.
@Snkbittin posted:Finally got the Arch, railings and Cab on the Turntable ..still need to do the motors and bull gears ..along with 5000 other things I need to do
Very nice. 4 year olds are the boss after all.
That's a lot of great projects this weekend everyone!!
I did some more wiring on turnout control with both push buttons and AIU. I have 11 done and two to go, except I don't have an more pushbuttons left. I thought I had the same number of DZ1002 push buttons as DZ1000 switch machines. Right now the pushbuttons are just hanging by the wires at various places around the layout. I should mount them to the sides temporarily since I don't want to put up a nice looking fascia yet.
Thanks for all the comments and encouragement. The dock surprised me as to how fast it went First real scratch built project. Cut all the framing from a piece of 2x4. Now to rebuild the control panel for the main layout. Also trying to figure out how to activate some block signals without using the Lionel contactors. Seem to be a bear to adjust. Hope to make them myself. John
Morning Guys, sure is some nice work going on and some I dont understand and would never try! LOL I am more of a KISS guy!
@RSJB18, Bob, nice work! It's very impressive to me and out of my league!
@Snkbittin, Looks great! I wish I had room and could afford one!
@Dave Ripp.,Great job on the weathering! I like your selection of autos!
@Dallas Joseph, Thanks you sir! Yes it did make me feel very humble! LOL
Well guys I got out this morning and finished ballasting all the track I got down, something I had been putting off as it's not the most exciting thing to do! LOL Sorry no photo as I am sure everyone have seen it before!
I hope your all having a great day, its just pouring rain here with wind! Have fun with your layout and trains!
Got my Fastrack layout design finished so everything fits together okay on the layout. Starting wiring the insulated and isolated rail sections first for crossing lights and gates. I remembered to remove all the outer rail common straps before I started soldering! I'm soldering 18 gauge track feeders and jumper wires between each piece of track in 6 piece track sections. Running conventional so running 12 gauge wires 10 Amp fuse protected buss wires to 4 dual row barrier strips each for both my hot and common for each of my 2 loops from my MTH Z-1000 Transformers, still need to add the barrier strips for the crossing accessories, have it figured out on paper how to wire them. My colored write on wire tags should arrive tomorrow so I'll be able to label all my wires to make it easier if and when I need to troubleshoot or change something in the future.
Today I repainted and reweathered the green car in the photo. The paints still a little wet it'll look better dry. I changed out some birch trees as I'm looking through boxes I found some I liked better. Of coarce I didn't find what I was looking for. I also added a small freight station and a few details to different spots.
@Dave Ripp. posted:Today I repainted and reweathered the green car in the photo. The paints still a little wet it'll look better dry. I changed out some birch trees as I'm looking through boxes I found some I liked better. Of coarce I didn't find what I was looking for. I also added a small freight station and a few details to different spots.
Dave, the patina on the green car looks great, nice redo! We all do redo's, it's part of the hobby, experience, and discovery. I still love the birch trees, they really pop! The freight station looks great too, and I spy Jack the Sheppard? The playground and basketball court are really nice features. Something I'd like to do eventually.
Your layout is making fast progress! Run any trains lately?
Scott
@WesternPacific2217 posted:Dave, the patina on the green car looks great, nice redo! We all do redo's, it's part of the hobby, experience, and discovery. I still love the birch trees, they really pop! The freight station looks great too, and I spy Jack the Sheppard? The playground and basketball court are really nice features. Something I'd like to do eventually.
Your layout is making fast progress! Run any trains lately?
Scott
Thanks Scott, I havn't run any for a couple of weeks. I was actually cleaning and did these things as I put stuff away. That is Jack and I also found the small dog I added to the park. The bigger trees are department 56 I added fkock to pretty them up.
@Dave Ripp., Outstanding layout Dave! You have done so much from the day I started fallowing you. Your scenery looks amazing and I see you have an auto car, is that on a siding or are you just storing it there? Either way it looks great!
@mike g. posted:@Dave Ripp., Outstanding layout Dave! You have done so much from the day I started fallowing you. Your scenery looks amazing and I see you have an auto car, is that on a siding or are you just storing it there? Either way it looks great!
Thanks Mike, It's just parked there I think it's to short time will tell. I'm keeping that other siding area unfinished for a future prodject.
@Dave Ripp. posted:Thanks Mike, It's just parked there I think it's to short time will tell. I'm keeping that other siding area unfinished for a future prodject.
Cool, I can't wait to see what your next project is going to be!
Nice work, Dave! The birch trees look great!
@Mark Boyce posted:Nice work, Dave! The birch trees look great!
Thanks Mark.
Cool, I can't wait to see what your next project is going to be!
Mike I'm also looking forward to it.
Dave, I'm not quite finished with the turnout control wiring. Today I temporarily mounted the push buttons to the layout frame. There are 3 more on the other side of the layout. These all work. I am going to make labels for them since so many are so close together. The other side they are spaced apart, so it is obvious which turnout they control. The remote control through the AIU works too. I just looked through everything for the two missing DZ1002 pushbuttons, but didn't find them. Maybe they fell down behind something. So two more need to be finished.
Looks good Mark! Its also a nice thing they all work, but sucks your short 2!
@Mark Boyce posted:Dave, I'm not quite finished with the turnout control wiring. Today I temporarily mounted the push buttons to the layout frame. There are 3 more on the other side of the layout. These all work. I am going to make labels for them since so many are so close together. The other side they are spaced apart, so it is obvious which turnout they control. The remote control through the AIU works too. I just looked through everything for the two missing DZ1002 pushbuttons, but didn't find them. Maybe they fell down behind something. So two more need to be finished.
Lots of turnouts good place for the control tower. You may need one on the top level to.
Thank you Mike and Dave!
Mike, I'll find them as soon as I buy two more!
Dave, I have a smaller tower on the upper level. You can just make out a gray hip roof right above the smokebox of the Consolidation. The red, white , and black diesel behind the Consolidation is blocking the rest of the tower. Here it is behind the Chessie caboose.
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