Weekly update:
This has not been a good week. My Roundhouse 4-4-0 died (dead short across the engine) and had to be replaced. Caboose Hobbies did swap it out for me, even though it was 50 days old. I did get started on building two more ore car kits.
I got the new 4-6-0 badged for the BAH RR.
This is the replacement for the old 4-4-0. It will remain as D & RGW and pull a D & RGW passenger consist and act as the interface with the outside world.
I bought another Roundhouse 4-4-0 that will end up re-badged as BAH # 10:
I did get a few non-visible nits picked on the layout. Since I now have to work for a few weeks; I will probably not do another update for a couple of weeks.
Thanks for looking. Any Comments?
Not a lot to add for the past week's activity. I did a fair amount of operating. I fixed a few nits in the existing track-work.
I broke down and got a DCC system for my work bench. I got the Digitrax Zephyr and a LocoBuffer-USB so that I could hook up my laptop computer for programming purposes. The Zephyr turned out to be finicky reading some of my standard decoders so I had to figure out that it was load sensitive and add a 1.2k resistor (switchable in and out - across the track) to the programming track to make it work.
When I bought my Prodigy Advance for the layout; I went in planning on buying a Zephyr. After playing with the Zephyr on the work bench; I am glad that I got the Prodigy Advance for the layout. The PA fits my layout and style of operating much, much better. They are both good systems.
Here is a photo of part of the work bench. I have a 4' track on the front edge of the shelf which doubles as an operating track and a programming track by using toggle switches (one for track usage, and one to switch the 1.2k resistor across the track when needed). Shown is the laptop reading all of the CV's for one decoder. Decoder Pro really works well; however, the process is slow (not the computer, the process).
Thanks again for looking.
BUMP
Since I am working (for a change); there is not a lot of progress.
I have been operating for an hour or two per day, and fixing small things as I go. Nothing photo wise on the layout, I got a new switch tower for Arock, now I need one for Hardspot. It is just sitting on top of the ground and has not been weathered yet, still shiny plastic.
The main event is that my Tsunami came in for the 4-6-0. The tender is so small that there is no room for the Tsunami (boy is it large) and a speaker. I removed the coal load and mounted the speaker on top of the tender deck and will make a new coal load to cover it. I also added a rear light to the tender. I am not impressed with the sound on the Light Steam Tsunami. The whistle(s) are weak, the bell (at it's fastest rate -1) is a little too slow, I can only get three chuffs per driver revolution not four, and the overall volume seems low (even with a larger speaker). sound quality is good and the motor control is great. The once balky at low speed engine will now idle up the side of the mountain and speed steps work great. The Tsunami was worth the price just for the motor control and should sound better when I get the coal load installed (to direct the sound somewhat). It was a joy to program, on the bench, with Decoder pro; and on the layout with my Prodigy Advance.
I will report as new information becomes available (i.e., when I can get away from work enough to get something done to show).
Here is a picture of the 4-6-0 still needing the new coal load and some paint touchup:
Thanks for looking in.
ARTHILL wrote:I love the scope. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks - sharing is the reason most of us are here !
Not a lot to show for the past week. I am making tunel portal linings using the Woodland Scenics mold and and using Sculptamold for the first time ( almost forgot what paper mache' was). I am adding color to the water and things seem to be going OK at about 3 lining halfs per day (I need 17 complete portals).
I am building a kit switching tower (Atlas, it was cheap). I am documenting the process in the hope that it will help answer some of the questions that keep popping up here. It may take several weeks of 15 minutes-at-a-time sessions before I can try and put something together. This is a sample photo:
Other than that; some operating and actual income producing work.
Thanks for looking.
Christmas update.
Still not a lot of photographical progress here; a lot of operating though.
I bought two switching towers; one assembled and one kit. The assembled one, un-weathered, just sits on the ground at Arock (will be planted after weathering). Here # 11 waits with a load of ore cars bound for Hardspot while the tower operator tries to figure out which level to use for connection to the outgoing track.
I have made a lot of tunnel liners; though not enough yet. I have 17 tunnel portals to line and make/install portals. The Woodland scenics liner mold works well with suclptamold though. Here is # 11 with the new coal load and rear light entering one tunnel with a liner just sitting there (for testing).
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all !
the reason that the volume on your tsunami ma not be very loud could be lack of a baffle. The one I know I had a problem with (not with my tsunami but my other soundtraxx loco) was that I had a small speaker (3/4") with no baffle (no echo chamber). This was for a shay. it made the sound so weak I could barely hear it at all. I had to go back in and seal the tender part so that no air could move in and out of the coal tender in order to have a baffle. It was much louder after that.
Also for the chuff rate have you considered using a cam on the axle? The Tsunami includes a feature for this. This is what i use to control the chuff rate on my loco allowing the chuff to match perfectly with the cylinders.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
Renegade1c wrote: the reason that the volume on your tsunami ma not be very loud could be lack of a baffle. The one I know I had a problem with (not with my tsunami but my other soundtraxx loco) was that I had a small speaker (3/4") with no baffle (no echo chamber). This was for a shay. it made the sound so weak I could barely hear it at all. I had to go back in and seal the tender part so that no air could move in and out of the coal tender in order to have a baffle. It was much louder after that. Also for the chuff rate have you considered using a cam on the axle? The Tsunami includes a feature for this. This is what i use to control the chuff rate on my loco allowing the chuff to match perfectly with the cylinders.
The tender shell is sealed up and is the baffle/enclosure for the speaker. I did my initial testing with a soundtrax speaker in a soundtrax enclosure. I just got the high boiler 4-6-0 and put an oval speaker in it with the same volume level as the low boiler version. The volume level is acceptable; however it is not as loud as my MRC and QSI equipped engines. I have the Tsunami turned up to max on the whistle and turned way down on the MRC (set at 0 of 0-4) and QSI (set at 45/127) units. Except for the whistle, all sound levels are run at 1/2 to 3/4 volume on the Tsunami.
I did not want to mess with a cam for chuff rate. I just expected a wider chuff rate to be available in the Tsunami. At max rate it just hits 4 chuffs per wheel rev with the large driver version of the Bachmann 4-6-0. Above crawl speed; you can not tell that the chuff rate is slightly low (for all that I know, it is dead on at higher speeds).
I will put more information in my next project update as I just got the high boiler version of the 4-6-0 this week.
End of year update.
Not a lot done this last week on the layout; however I added one new engine with Tsunami to the fleet (Christmas gift + some of my train fund money). It is the high boiler Bachmann 4-6-0 (I bought the low boiler version about a month ago). The tender in the high boiler version is huge compared to the low boiler version. I did not need a shoe horn to install the Tsunami decoder and the original coal load even worked.
The two newest engines from the top (to show speaker installations):
The two engines together:
And finally, the new engine properly badged (flash makes the flat coat look bad - can't tell the difference in normal viewing):
The woodworking project is expected to end this month; and then back to the layout full time. 2007 shows promise for getting a lot done in "completing" the layout.
Canondale61 wrote:Great job All the snow you have gotten makes for lots of hobby time. Your mountain scenes are extremly realistic. Have you thought of makng any snow for the mountains?
I have lots of hobby time, all of the time, as I am semi-retired and work out of my home. The current project was scheduled at 20 hrs per week and will end late this month.
I have considered some snow on the peaks of the back mountain (the one that goes to the ceiling). I will make the final decision when it comes to detail time. I will not add any snow to tracked areas though.
It's been great watching the progress of your layout. Keep the photos coming.
John
jjbmish wrote: It's been great watching the progress of your layout. Keep the photos coming. John
Thanks !
Due to working on a furniture project; progress is slowed way down. I will be back to the layout full time around the end of this month though.
Based on questions about consisting, I tried consisting with my Prodigy Advance system. I used the two Tsunami equipped 4-6-0's even though they were not speed matched and it worked great with no problems or even having to use the instruction manual. Today, I speed matched the two engines (reduced the speed curve of the High boiler unit to match the speed of the Low Boiler unit) and ran the consist part way up the mountain. It really worked great. I don't have any real use for consist; however, it is nice to know that it actually works as it is supposed to work.
Here is a picture of my first operational consist headed up the mountains.
Feel free to comment. More updates as I get back to work on the layout. Thanks for looking.
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
The engines are the Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0's, # 11 is the low boiler version and # 13 is the high boiler version. Both have Tsunami decoders. # 11 is used to haul ore cars up and down the mountains and # 13 gets general usage. They both run great with Tsunami's and only so-so on DC or with a cheap decoder. Since the high boiler version has larger drivers, I had to adjust the speed curve to slow it down to match the low boiler version for consist use.
Hi Alan, your layout is great. I wonder... whatever will you do when its finished?
I am returning to the hobby after having it as a kid. I have two major restrictions: budget and space. The space you have there would be like the size of Kansas or Texas compared to my allowances.!
I have two questions:
1) how do you adjust the speed like that???
2) I am doing a 1800s (pragmatically from, oh, 1830-1880-ish) segment for N scale. And I am collecting things for an HO as well, right now the 1940-1960s-ish, but may do an 1800s module in HO as well. Where do you find the 1800s and "western style" stuff?
Thanks in advance
-G
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
galaxy wrote: Hi Alan, your layout is great. I wonder... whatever will you do when its finished?Thanks !I don't believe that it will ever be "finished". After the initial construction is comple, there will be years worth of detailing to do.I am returning to the hobby after having it as a kid. I have two major restrictions: budget and space. The space you have there would be like the size of Kansas or Texas compared to my allowances.!My layout room is only 6.5 x 15 feet.I have two questions:1) how do you adjust the speed like that???Many of the DCC decoders use speed tables which allow matching of engine speeds.2) I am doing a 1800s (pragmatically from, oh, 1830-1880-ish) segment for N scale. And I am collecting things for an HO as well, right now the 1940-1960s-ish, but may do an 1800s module in HO as well. Where do you find the 1800s and "western style" stuff?Some of it was purchased many years ago when it was commonly available. Nowadays, I just wander through Caboose Hobbies and grab what is available.Thanks in advance-G
I don't believe that it will ever be "finished". After the initial construction is comple, there will be years worth of detailing to do.
My layout room is only 6.5 x 15 feet.
Many of the DCC decoders use speed tables which allow matching of engine speeds.
Some of it was purchased many years ago when it was commonly available. Nowadays, I just wander through Caboose Hobbies and grab what is available.
Comments interspersed above.
Thanks for the reply. I never thought of DCC capable to adjust speeds. I am stuck in DC. I have read a lot about DCC, and frankly it doesnt seem to be all its cracked up to be.......yet. It has potential....and from the ones I have heard with sound...novel idea, but not impressed.
I figured your 1800s stuff was aquired earlier. Someday again it may be available, or I may just have to build some things.Buildings I may have little trouble trying to build scratch, IF I know what was appropriate then. The rolling stock is what I have trouble with. THere seems to be engines available of that time, but cars less. OH, well.
And my layout room is: 0x0 feet. Available space for layout: 0x0. that is why I said what space you have available is like Texas to me. Whatever I do must be small enough and light enough and easy enough to say...stand on end in a closet when its not up taking space set up/out!???The 31''x46'' table under the x-tree was great !!!! LOL--its is still up!...(not the tree though!!)
Thanks and keep workin hard
galaxy wrote: Thanks for the reply. I never thought of DCC capable to adjust speeds. I am stuck in DC. I have read a lot about DCC, and frankly it doesnt seem to be all its cracked up to be.......yet. It has potential....and from the ones I have heard with sound...novel idea, but not impressed.I figured your 1800s stuff was aquired earlier. Someday again it may be available, or I may just have to build some things.Buildings I may have little trouble trying to build scratch, IF I know what was appropriate then. The rolling stock is what I have trouble with. THere seems to be engines available of that time, but cars less. OH, well.And my layout room is: 0x0 feet. Available space for layout: 0x0. that is why I said what space you have available is like Texas to me. Whatever I do must be small enough and light enough and easy enough to say...stand on end in a closet when its not up taking space set up/out!???The 31''x46'' table under the x-tree was great !!!! LOL--its is still up!...(not the tree though!!)Thanks and keep workin hard-G
It sounds like you should be working in N scale; you can fit a lot on a single hollow core door (which is easy to stand up out of the way). Just make sure that everything is glued down or removable.
I actually model 1900-1910; but stretch things a little to use what is available. Some of my rolling stock is scratch built and about half of my buildings are scratch built. I grab figures and horse drawn wagons when I find them; most everything else can be modified or adapted to work. I tore down a large layout about 15 years ago, saved the buildings, turnouts, and misc stuff. I am rebuilding now with that stuff, new track, some new turnouts, and several new engines. DCC is well worth the switch and I will not buy any engine that either does not have sound or that can not have sound added. Even poor sound is way better than no sound.
Finally back to work on the layout - here is the latest !
I got the furniture project mostly complete. A few adjustments to doors/drawers when the counter top goes on, in a couple of weeks. The customer is happy and paid in full; so now I have train money (some of it already spent).
I added a ramp meter to the layout. I was somewhat concerned about amperage consumption with my six sound units running. The display is DCC voltage over amperage used.
I did several comparisons to see what was really happening:
from left to right - top row:
Layout on, no units accessed yet
Short on one power district
Old Roundhouse Shay running, one 4-4-0 running and one 4-6-0 climbing the 2% grade
Bottom row:
All six engines at idle, sound on, lights on and all bells ringing (boy what a racket)
One 4-4-0, one 4-6-0 and one 0-6-0 running
The full lineup sitting on the layout:
Two P2k 0-6-0 with sound
Two Roundhouse 4-4-0 with sound
Two Bachmann 4-6-0 with Tsunami sound
One old Roundhouse Shay (built from a kit 15 years ago)
I am continuing work on the Atlas switch tower construction.
More progress when it happens. Thanks for looking.
Post 2 of regular weekly update:
I have had a prebuilt (factory assembled) switch tower in place for some time; I also was building a kit.
The untouched prebuilt in position in Arock (not planted - just in position):
The painted and heavily weathered tower, ready to be "planted":
The assembled, painted and weathered kit in place in Hardspot (ready to be "planted"):
These guys (MOW crew) have been together for over 17 years waiting on company in the way of other figures on the layout. Today, I started some more "rough" detailing.
Hardspot passenger station with some "people" activity (the white stuff around the base of some figures is the still wet glue):
I assembled one Buckboard and have started another. Here is the first, near the tracks in the Hardspot yard:
Here is a more distant shot of old town in Hardspot:
Most of the buildings in Arock and Hardspot are just sitting on top of the ground. I will start the process of "planting" them shortly. By doing things this way, I don't end up with buildings "just a little bit out of place; I get to run the layout and move them sightly so that they end up where I really want them.
Next week - more mountain work and more detail work.
Weekly update - no comments from last posting.
I am still working on some details and basic scenery.
I have had a gapping hole at the edge of the back mountain for a long time (months). I finally had time to close it up. Here is the hole:
This is after the hole was closed up:
I added a buckboard, delivery wagon (both Jordan kits) and a few people to the Hotel:
I built a water tank for the Hardspot Station. Here it is with a Roundhouse 4-4-0 used to pull the daily passenger train between Arock and Hardspot (loco still needs to be re-badged to the BAH R.R. and the tank has not been planted yet, it is just sitting on top of the ground)):
Here is a shot of the daily passenger train arriving at the station, from the yard:
A view of the Station, new water tank, and observation car on the end of the Passenger train:
And finally, a view of the area that I worked on this past week:
I have ordered one new switcher ( P2k 0-6-0) as I realized that I only had two and needed both of them operating. The third will give me a safety factor, in case one quits for some reason. I also have on order, 10 optical block detectors to place in the mountains so that nothing will get lost in the non-viewable areas. I will continue on some more preliminary detail work.
Thanks for looking. Comments ?
If anyone is interested in the "furniture" project that kept me from working on my RR empire; I just did this post on WoodCentral showing the project.
http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/messages.pl?frames;read=309062
I haven't commented at all on your layout construction efforts and results, but I enjoy reading the updates. Don't stop posting them!
(Nice furniture, by the way)
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Alan_B wrote: If anyone is interested in the "furniture" project that kept me from working on my RR empire; I just did this post on WoodCentral showing the project.http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/messages.pl?frames;read=309062
Really beautiful work Alan
It takes special talent to make cabinets like that !
Here some photos of a custom cabnet my friend made for
car and loco storage under the layout
Not only is your layout moving along great, but you make beautiful cabinets. Please don't let my wife see those or I will be supporting your Train habit. LOL Really nice work on both of them. I had a brother-in-law who did woodworking like that, but unfortunately he passed away a number of years ago. Well hopefully you will have more time to work on the layout now.
Wow, absolutley and udderly beautiful, great work and nice video!
-beegle55
Brunton wrote: I haven't commented at all on your layout construction efforts and results, but I enjoy reading the updates. Don't stop posting them!(Nice furniture, by the way)
Thanks Brunton, C&O Fan, jjbmish, and beegle55. I am enjoying the railroad work. I made a living building furniture and cabinets until I retired mid last year; however I need to do one or two "jobs" per year to fund the cigarette and train fund.
Next update in a couple of days.
Hi nice layout! I can se you have a lot of false front buildings on your layout. Can you tell med what maufacturer that makes them?
Bjarne
perstuen wrote: Hi nice layout! I can se you have a lot of false front buildings on your layout. Can you tell med what maufacturer that makes them?Bjarne
Some of the false front buildings are Cambell (spelling ?) but most are scratch built. These buildings are recovered from a layout that I tore down about 15 years ago.