The Saga of My Ever Shrinking Railroad...Part Deux

[Anonymous]

Anything new?

[vsmith]

Toad, he said he thinks its a mix of some brass and stainless, he said converted all his track to code 250 stainless a couple years ago and now just wanted to get rid of all the old track he had in storage. I was second in line, when the first guy fell thru and I got it, so happy day!

[Anonymous]

Vic, have to say I like the 0-4-0 better on the rails, seems to grab the track! You have a smoke unit for it?

Also like to ask but did not last time what track was that you got from your friend, brass?

Toad

[SNOWSHOE]

Very nice.  I like the climb.  Cant wait to see the finished product. 

[vsmith]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jZzGLj_SfQw

Test Video #2, using smaller workaday rolling stock.

[Anonymous]

Looks and Sounds right to me! That is some hard work!!!! Enjoy Vic.

Toad

[vsmith]

VIDEO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6FZKr4Fp-U

Early test run with a Bug Mauler, gives a good idea of the layout size

PS engine is running about 4 times regular speed so you can see the whole layout in 1 take.

[dwbeckett]

Those are just the track block controls to isolate sections of the mainline and the sidings, good ol' Atlas products, learned to us'em waaaaaaay back in the 70's as a kid, still think they are the best

Vic, I can't say I was a kid in the 70's, but I was in the 50's / 60's. ( War Baby ). Back when cardboard tie's and brass rail was King.  

[vsmith]

Dave, so do I, no powered switches on my layout either.

Those are just the track block controls to isolate sections of the mainline and the sidings, good ol' Atlas products, learned to us'em waaaaaaay back in the 70's as a kid, still think they are the best

I have "gone high tech" in that I do use a Basic Train Engineer R/C track throttle control, its that orange thingy in the background, I should post a pic of how I have that set up, get alot more hands-slapping-against-head-saying-oy-veh from the electronic gurus.

[dwbeckett]

I use the singel digit system for switch control normaly from the right hand

Dave

[vsmith]

Just a teaser pic, for all those guys out there with computerized DCC and radio wave recievers....

...my "High Tech" control system

and yes, I know I need to change the block ID numbers

[vsmith]

Update to today,

Been running the Bug Mauler around the layout dragging the track cleaner over the mainline, it manages to drag that lump up and over in both directions, tested the wifes Bloody L circus engine again, it can pull itself and the bobber caboose up and over but is too light for additional cars. Surgury time, going to drill a hole in those great big air tanks on the sides and fill'em with buckshot. That should help alot, I also plan to add some self adhesive weights inside my Bug Maulers boilers and probably, to all my smaller engines. 

I now know for sure my transitions are correct, if that stupid Bloody L can make it around, all the rest will no trouble as that was the only engine that ran like crap by derailing or lifting the drivers off the rails if the track wasnt near perfect. Cleaning up right now, sheesh didnt relize what a mess I made putting that last work drive into it.

pic soon, I hope

[dwbeckett]

No not yet, still need to do some clean up out there, maybe by this weekend I can post some test run pics.

I also need to find out if I can post video to my MLS photo hosting.

I wired up the last siding this AM. Its ready to rock and roll!

 

 

..after I clean the track

Try photobucket it's free and easy to do and work's

Dave

[vsmith]

No not yet, still need to do some clean up out there, maybe by this weekend I can post some test run pics.

I also need to find out if I can post video to my MLS photo hosting.

I wired up the last siding this AM. Its ready to rock and roll!

 

 

..after I clean the track

[dwbeckett]

Any test run picture's??

[vsmith]

Test running, my stock Bug Mauler pulled two full size boxcars and caboose around in both directions, some slipping on the 4% grade, just like the real thing only i dont have any sand to lay down, but it didnt stop. I take that as a success! I was more worried about derails on the transition sections but so far A-OK

[vsmith]

Found a battery, figured out one wiring change, got it running this AM.

Whoopie!

[ttrigg]

Looks like Murphys first law of coorlative effects has stuck!

 

If it can go wrong,

it will, at the worst possible time.

[vsmith]

An progress update!

Slowly and steadily working  on the layout, I got all the track down, all the blocks wired, all the wires run, the powerpack installed, the BTE wired into it so I figure I've got all the pices in place to give it a try, turn on the pack, put an engine on the track and started presing buttons and got..

nothin'

not a sausage! check the wires, nothin', checked the block controls, nothin'a quick check of the BTE controller revealed the problem:

Dead battery

...and after a search of the house, there are not any spares or ones to cannibalis in the house, Grrrr

Oh well, looks like tommorow

[FJ and G]

I know the feeling about pinching pennies!

[vsmith]

Dave if I had deep pockets I would, but I have a pile of Bachmann couplers accumulated over the years, so before I spend another raft full of cash on Kadees, I'll try using up what I've got laying around first. If they prove unreliable, then maybe I'll have no other choice.

[dwbeckett]

Hmmm. So thats one more thing to fix, convert them all to B'manns

try KAYDEE 820 or 1820's u well like them

Dave

[vsmith]

First big fault found

Had to eliminate the reverse S curve at the base of Agony Point, was causing derailments, added a 6" straight on each side. Need to rework some of the upper level supports where track will now go. The 6" straights on the other reverse S curves help a great deal, I now have to see how it effects the only remaining reverse S, at the bybass track at the base of Long Grade, I have to see if I can add a 6" straight there as well and shift the bypass track back a little.

This is why you always test and test and test again before you fix down any track or start any scenery,

[vsmith]

OK been testing ELECTRIC trains, over part of the track, I actually just hooked up a powerpack to the track and surprise, its conducts current all the way around, even with all the crap in the joints. Agony Point is well named, its steep, and slippery, just like its prototypes on the Darj and the Uintah RRs, need to add a little more weight to my Bug Maulers, transitions seem to be working well. Discovered that Buddy L and Bachmann couplers dont....at least on curves, the knuckles dont overlap enough and on a curve they simply slip apart. Hmmm. So thats one more thing to fix, convert them all to B'manns

[vsmith]

A little more info on the Darjeeling RR

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darjeeling_Himalayan_Railway

if your interested

[vsmith]

Test run #1 today on the mainline, using the Scientific guinnie pig as their no track power yet, mostly to test track transitions going up and down the grades. I've been using small wood shims to build up bases under the track at the transitions so there is a continuous solid base under all the track, so far got the left side transitions done, leaving only the transition at the right hand side left to do. Found a couple high and low spots during testing, thats what that stupid Scientific is great for, if IT will run on it, almost everything else will. Only a few rather funny derailments. It was funny to watch it run, since several track sections are still missing joiners, yet it trundled right along.

[SNOWSHOE]

That is somepicture, reminds me of the cog railway that goes to the top of Mt Washington in NH.  I have not road it yet but I did hike to the top in the winter.  Next trip will be to ride the train up.  heres a link for pictures and about it.   http://www.thecog.com/

This is a cool picture http://www.thecog.com/cog_scene.php?img=ascending_jacobs_ladder

[ttrigg]

Man that would make for one awsome wild ride!

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

perhaps we should all go ride it, just not simaltaniously lest the traction fail and we all sail to the bottom of the grade.

[Anonymous]

Vic.....lets go ride it!! Heck ain't a pusher in sight!!! Think maybe I might rethink it cause I know my back side would pucker up the seat.

Toad (swimn in cold Swamp Water)