What did you do on your layout today?

RSJB18 posted:

Cleaned the track this afternoon.

Open question: I have 5121, 5122 switches, powered on track power. Obviously that means the solenoids buzz when a car is sitting on the anti-derail rails. I was playing with one of the worst offenders this afternoon and its a simple fix- just stop the plunger from from vibrating when energized. However- the simple fix renders the switch useless. What I'm looking for is a way to briefly cut the power to the solenoid to limit the length of time it can buzz. I know that these can be re-wired from aux power but that doesn't eliminate the buzzing.

Thoughts?

If you use aux power supplied by a capacitor setup that'll stop the buzz. The Cap has enough energy stored to pull the solenoid plunger and then it runs out of juice until the actuating button is released or the car moves off the  derail-rail. Then the capacitor re-charges and is ready to fire again.

geysergazer posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Cleaned the track this afternoon.

Open question: I have 5121, 5122 switches, powered on track power. Obviously that means the solenoids buzz when a car is sitting on the anti-derail rails. I was playing with one of the worst offenders this afternoon and its a simple fix- just stop the plunger from from vibrating when energized. However- the simple fix renders the switch useless. What I'm looking for is a way to briefly cut the power to the solenoid to limit the length of time it can buzz. I know that these can be re-wired from aux power but that doesn't eliminate the buzzing.

Thoughts?

If you use aux power supplied by a capacitor setup that'll stop the buzz. The Cap has enough energy stored to pull the solenoid plunger and then it runs out of juice until the actuating button is released or the car moves off the  derail-rail. Then the capacitor re-charges and is ready to fire again.

Capacitors had crossed my mind Lew. Hadn't looked at it from that angle though. Any idea what size? I've been focused on shutting down current flow not using a different source.

Bob

Bob, I have no idea wrt cap size. There is also a [rectifier] diode and a resistor in the circuit. Someone was talking about this method here not too long ago but long enough I can't remember the particulars. I bet someone here responds.

HO people have been using a cap circuit to protect Atlas switch machines like forever.

Great info Lew. Did a search of Atlas switch machine and found this from Circuitron. I have one of their flasher relays on my crossing signals. Now- the concept is simple, how I could wire these into installed switches may be hard. I think I would have to get at the underside to connect to the two activating rails on the non-derail circuit. I would at least have to re-wire all of the switches to aux power and let this be the source. I have one spare switch that I re-wired for aux power that I could play with. The good thing is one board will handle several solenoids. Now I'm regretting not re-wiring all of the switches before I built the layout......

Just what I need- another project

RSJB18 posted:

Great info Lew. Did a search of Atlas switch machine and found this from Circuitron. I have one of their flasher relays on my crossing signals. Now- the concept is simple, how I could wire these into installed switches may be hard. I think I would have to get at the underside to connect to the two activating rails on the non-derail circuit. I would at least have to re-wire all of the switches to aux power and let this be the source. I have one spare switch that I re-wired for aux power that I could play with. The good thing is one board will handle several solenoids. Now I'm regretting not re-wiring all of the switches before I built the layout......

Just what I need- another project

 

If you want to build your own circuit I just watched this video a few days ago on how to wire 1122 for constant voltage.  Info on the capacitor circuit starts about 26 minutes in.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGNLN2MA7x0

don

RSJB18 posted:

Great info Lew. Did a search of Atlas switch machine and found this from Circuitron. I have one of their flasher relays on my crossing signals. Now- the concept is simple, how I could wire these into installed switches may be hard. I think I would have to get at the underside to connect to the two activating rails on the non-derail circuit. I would at least have to re-wire all of the switches to aux power and let this be the source. I have one spare switch that I re-wired for aux power that I could play with. The good thing is one board will handle several solenoids. Now I'm regretting not re-wiring all of the switches before I built the layout......

Just what I need- another project

 

Bob, projects are what keep you young!

Don- thanks for sharing that video. Exactly what I want to do. As shown though, getting at the solenoid wire on an installed switch will be tough. The spare unit I have I was able to do from the top by clipping the wire to the solenoid and pulling it out.

Mike- believe me, I've got enough projects to keep me young for a lonnnnnnnngggggg time

Bob

Finished another pig flat weathered this morning and added some latters to a All Nations car 

Just completed the track to represent (our own representation) of  the Cass Railroad in West Virginia. We will have three Shay Engines on sidings in the 3 way switch as seen in the video. Each Shay will take its turn going up the spiral and eventually working its way through the switch backs as seen at the top of the video. Each Shay will then return to its siding and the next Shay will begin its journey up the spiral. The spiral will eventually be an enclosed mountain. We are controlling these Shays and all of the associated switches with the Arduino development micro controllers.

Thanks;

idea-thinker  

First project to replace working strobe light to detailed strobe light on powered unit. Removed the shell, drilled out old one with 4mm drill bit, removed plastic base off the top of the cab, drilled 2mm bit on bronze base then 3mm, installed 3mm white LED in bronze base, applied very little hot glue on it, glued it on top of the cab, assembled wires back on, shell on chassis, glued orange top part on base. Tested it, everything worked great. I have about 20 powered units to go! 😳

Here's a quick vid of my trolley cutting loops and a balloon addition. 

As if I don't have enough irons in the fire with projects to work on and complete I added another one. I dug through cobwebs to pull out a Downtown Deco kit I have had for years. Kozaks Machine shop. What made me get it out was I was looking at the scene I did with the Walther's oil depot and thought the machine shop would fit in there better. Opened the box and carefully took out the plaster pieces. Had one broken wall which I have glued and waiting for it to dry. Maybe later tonight I can work on it a bit. Pics..............Paul 2

Big day, finished layering track and installing all the roadbed on the upper level. Can now get off the table and get under the table and start wiring the second level.

Brian, as norm, wonderful Photos!

Lee D, Nice job on weathering the PIG! Also sweet job on the All Nations car! Nice to see your back and busy!

Idea, Nice project! Just wondering are they always going to back up the mountain?

CGWForever, Wonderful job on the new strobe! Now that you have it down it wont take very long to get them all done at 5 per day! LOL

B&O, great little trolley, even better is how wonderful your layout looks!

Paul, Same story I gave Bob, Its all those projects that keep you young! Plus we all know you can do anything!

Sorry nothing new here from me, who knows maybe tomorrow as my team isn't playing! LOL

I hope you all have had a great day and an even better tomorrow!

Bruce Jacobsen posted:

Big day, finished layering track and installing all the roadbed on the upper level. Can now get off the table and get under the table and start wiring the second level.

Bruce, sorry I didn't mean to forget you, you were posting while I was typing my last response. What a great step to what looks like is going to be a wonderful layout! I see its in your garage, but I sure hope that doesn't mean you park your vet outside!

I hope you have a nice creeper for under the layout so you don't get a kink in your neck!

B&O Fan posted:

Here's a quick vid of my trolley cutting loops and a balloon addition. 

Thanks for sharing; wish it had been shot in horizontal/landscape format framing.

Have you seen Rich Melvin's view on smartphone video???

Thanks, again.

Mike G: NOooo. This is a garage on the back of my property. It is "L" shaped and the Vets are in the bay on the short side of the "L".

Bruce. Wife bought me a creeper for working under the layout from Harbor Freight. Works great and was only $19,99 I recommend it. 

Don

Lots of great projects everyone!!  If lots of projects keep you young, I am with Bob and Paul and will stay young a long time!!  I confess I overdid it Thursday after a good followup appointment at the orthopedic surgeon, and have just been plodding along since.  Visiting both my parents' personal care home and my aunt's nursing home yesterday didn't help.  It is soooo far into the homes from the parking lot and then back to their rooms!!!!  I remember walking back there like it was nothing some time ago!!  No worries, Monday the boys will whip me into shape at PT!  

Idea-thinker, having been to Cass and owning an MTH Western Maryland #6 Shay, I am really interested in your project!  Your concept is something different from what I have seen in over 50 years with trains!  I know I am going to like it as it progresses!

Bruce, That is a great looking layout you are building.  How do you get in and back out of the Vett after working on the layout??

Mark, very slowly

My other project from my main train layout is to build the Lionel D-225 Dealer Display Layout that will reside in our Train Display room. Attached is the start of the display layout. We are planning on replicating the D-225 as close to the original as possible including using Super-O track and Switches.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

Don McErlean posted:

Bruce. Wife bought me a creeper for working under the layout from Harbor Freight. Works great and was only $19,99 I recommend it. 

Don

Don:

I have the same one. I works well and is a true bargain. I second your recommendation.

Today I stained the rim wood parts for the ticket office and the train information/dispatch board the inside of my scratch-built station. When the stain dries, I will spray the assembled parts with Testor's Gloss Coat and post photos then.

Test Lionel Legacy C&NW Geeps with “new” detailed strobe light. Dummy unit need replace one soon when next batch of detailed strobe lights come in. Geeps pulling 12 Weaver CMO (Omaha) offset hopper cars with different road numbers.
Patrick 

Patrick, Nice looking train! Also great job on the strobes! When you get a chance can you do a pan video of your layout? Sure would like to see the whole thing.

I recently purchased a Lionel bump-n-go trolley. I had a similar trolley in HO when I was a kid (no bump-n-go though), don't know why it took me this long to buy one. Fun little critters to let loose on the layout.

This one is nice and clean but the motor was gunked up with old grease. Took it all apart and cleaned everything, worm gear, commutator, gear box, wheels, etc.

It runs great now.

Everyone have a great Sunday.

GO CHIEFS!

RSJB18 posted:

I recently purchased a Lionel bump-n-go trolley. I had a similar trolley in HO when I was a kid (no bump-n-go thought), don't know why it took me this long to buy one. Fun little critters to let loose on the layout.

This one is nice and clean but the motor was gunked up with old grease. Took it all apart and cleaned everything, worm gear, commutator, gear box, wheels, etc.

It runs great now.

Everyone have a great Sunday.

GO CHIEFS!

Bob, looks like a really nice trolley! I am glad you were able to get it running smoothly! I hope you have a great Sunday also!

GO SEAHAWKS! Oh wait there not at the show this year. GO TRAINS!

idea-thinker posted:

Just completed the track to represent (our own representation) of  the Cass Railroad in West Virginia. We will have three Shay Engines on sidings in the 3 way switch as seen in the video. Each Shay will take its turn going up the spiral and eventually working its way through the switch backs as seen at the top of the video. Each Shay will then return to its siding and the next Shay will begin its journey up the spiral. The spiral will eventually be an enclosed mountain. We are controlling these Shays and all of the associated switches with the Arduino development micro controllers.

 

Thanks;

idea-thinker  

I absolutely love it, unique!

As it is WV, perhaps a mountain for the spiral to wrap around?

Bruce Jacobsen posted:

Big day, finished layering track and installing all the roadbed on the upper level. Can now get off the table and get under the table and start wiring the second level.

Fantastic progress. Layout building is most fun!

Just one comment Bruce, the figure with the overalls  in the center is WAY out of scale

mike g. posted:

Patrick, Nice looking train! Also great job on the strobes! When you get a chance can you do a pan video of your layout? Sure would like to see the whole thing.

Mike, Thank you. I will do after finish the wiring on block and dwarf signals on south side. The video you saw is on north side. 

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

GO CHIEFS!

Bob, looks like a really nice trolley! I am glad you were able to get it running smoothly! I hope you have a great Sunday also!

GO SEAHAWKS! Oh wait there not at the show this year. GO TRAINS!

Mike, you must be thinking Patriots. They were in the last 3, winning 2. 
NASCAR is coming soon!  Let’s go racing boys!

PS TRAING the new conductor, Lucy, is a full time job.

Patrick, I look forward to seeing the south side also!!

Matt, I am with you, lets go racing! Bogady, bogady,bogady !

          Matt " NASCAR is coming soon!  Let’s go racing boys! "

          Mike  " Matt, I am with you, lets go racing! Bogady, bogady,bogady ! "

                 sounds good to me          have a great day !!

I've been testing trackwork with my Key Model Imports Santa Fe E6!

Couple new BAR car after new paint scheme, decals & weathering.

Bruce Jacobsen posted:

Big day, finished layering track and installing all the roadbed on the upper level. Can now get off the table and get under the table and start wiring the second level.

This is awesome, just put a smile on my face. Keep up the good work!

Dave

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

          Matt " NASCAR is coming soon!  Let’s go racing boys! "

          Mike  " Matt, I am with you, lets go racing! Bogady, bogady,bogady ! "

 

                 sounds good to me          have a great day !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

hi izzy!  I'm keeping my Daddy on his toes. No time 4 trains - just ME!

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

I've been testing trackwork with my Key Model Imports Santa Fe E6!

 

Santiago,

It's great to finally see one of your models running. The sneak peak looks really good. Can't wait to see more.

Dave

So much good work has been posted in the last two days.  It is nice to see the layout construction and car building.

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and I just finished the interior of my last passenger car while Mom slept.  Now that she is up, I can start grinding the Preiser 65602 Seated People and put them in the 1927050 UP Excursion Dome Coach and the Coach, Texas Eagle.  There are no more 21" passenger cars waiting for painting.  Am I done?  I would not wager on it.

Update: I finished placing Preiser Seated People in the Dome of the Dome Coach.  I inspected what figures I have left and will need to paint a couple specific figures to complete the lower level of the Dome Coach and the Texas Eagle Coach.

Have a good Super Bowl Sunday.

Sincerely, John Rowlen