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Post by g3750 on Mar 30, 2024 3:40:37 GMT
Updated 3/28/2024:
Much to report since my last posting:
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Post by g3750 on Jul 13, 2024 3:42:45 GMT
Updated 7/12/2024:
I have much to report since back in March (my last update). Let's start the list: - Power Districts 5 (Weirton), 6 (Weirton Junction Yard), 7 (Weirton Steel Yard), and 8 (Staging Area) all have power and appear to be functioning normally.
- Tortoise Switch machines were installed under Switches 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (Weirton Junction Yard). These are not yet operational.
- Tortoise Switch machines were installed and are functional for Switches 36, 35, 33, 32, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. These have been connected to a control panel and are operational.
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- Eight DZ-1060 PRR 7-light position signals were installed. Two of these are block occupancy signals and are operational. The rest are receiving electricity but are not yet connected to their respective switches.
- A dual-head PRR signal constructed by Integrated Signal Systems for a section of the mainline was installed and is operational. The signal is connected to two of the Tortoise switch machines and is controlled by an Arduino.
    - In conjunction with my NMRA division's June meeting I held an open house. We had 43 visitors.
More when I know it.
George
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Post by g3750 on Jul 21, 2024 13:52:58 GMT
Updated 7/20/2024:
Yesterday, I acted on my plan to convert an engine pocket and yard track #3 into a runaround track. Originally, the Weirton Junction Yard looked like this.
After attending an operating session and thinking about a suggestion made to me last year at the RPM meet, I decided to improve the switching capabilities of the yard by adding a runaround or "escape" track. Here's the new plan.
And here's the work that was done to make the plan a reality. Yard Track #3 was lifted and moved about 1" away from Yard Track #2 and the curved piece to the ladder was removed. That allowed an O64 RH switch to be fitted to its end. The engine pocket got an O64 curved piece that attached to the switch. A 1/2" wide hole for the Tortoise throw was drilled. GarGraves pigtails were reattached to the track and new holes for them drilled in the bench work.
All the electrical work (wiring feeders back to the bus, installing the Tortoise switch machine, wiring the control panel) still needs to be done. And the track isn't completely fastened down yet, either.
Work on the control panel is underway, though. It's been designed, printed, laminated, and glued to a painted section of 1/8" Masonite.
More when I know it.
George
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Post by g3750 on Jul 23, 2024 0:48:02 GMT
Awhile back there was a conversation (don't recall the name of the thread or I would have referenced it) about the lack of traffic on this forum. That got me thinking about my Panhandle thread.
While I am flattered that it's one of the most viewed on OGF, I am a bit confused as to why there are so few comments, questions, or discussions about it. I typically post some progress and then watch while over a period of 3-4 weeks it drops off the front page without so much as a blip.
Comments and questions are always welcome. And I don't bite (much).
George
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Post by healey36 on Jul 23, 2024 12:48:16 GMT
Not sure why there are so few comments, George. Me personally, my interests are pretty far down the food-chain in terms of technical requirements, control systems, wiring, track-laying, etc. What you are building is pretty state of the art, pretty complex (read hairy), and for many, quite unfamiliar. Structure-building, scenery, equipment/rolling stock builds would likely draw more comment. Talk of "data wire drivers", "Arduinos", and such, I just glaze over. Anyway, that's my two cents. I do enjoy reading of your progress, but pour another river and I'm all in  Paul R. |
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Post by Country Joe on Jul 23, 2024 14:11:55 GMT
George, I don’t know why there are so few comments in this thread. You’re doing an outstanding job on your layout. Your modeling is top notch, much better than what most of us can do.
My best guess is that you are doing a different type of modeling than most, if not all, of the guys here. You are modeling a specific time and place with a lot of prototype details. That is very different from the approach of most O gauge guys.
I think most guys here have generic layouts that are a stage to run their trains on. Using myself as an example, my recently dismantled O gauge layout had scenery, buildings, vehicles, trees, people and other details. It was not even close to what you are doing, but it was perfect for me. I enjoy running trains in a nice setting and my layout provided that.
I think (I could be wrong) that most here have a hard time relating to what you’re doing since it’s so different than their approach to the hobby. They (myself included) admire your work but don’t know what to say other than “great job!” and similar things.
Hopefully some others will chime in and let us know if I’ve hit somewhere near the mark or am completely full of soup.
For what it’s worth I enjoy following your progress and look forward to seeing your layout come to life.
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Post by Adam on Jul 23, 2024 14:12:44 GMT
The control panel is fantastic! I’d love to learn more about how you made it.
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Post by josef on Jul 23, 2024 14:28:20 GMT
I love what your doing and reading, interested in learning more on your project.
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Post by g3750 on Jul 24, 2024 1:59:47 GMT
Paul, Adam, Joe, Josef - thank for chiming in. I was trying to make sure I wasn't in some hermetically sealed bubble somewhere.
Paul - while I may be trying some new things, I am facing a lot of the basic problems that chase everyone: keeping track clean, figuring out whether it's the locomotive or the track that's having problems, basic wiring, or debugging switches. As for pouring another river, well, this one was way more than I expected. I hope I never have to attempt something like that again. 
Joe - you have no idea how much I would like to be running trains around a completed layout (or even a loop)! It's taken way more time to get to this point than I would like. I once interviewed a person to work for me on a software project. She described herself as "a recovering perfectionist". That's me! Except for the "recovering" part. LOL
Adam - I was going to try to get the control panel written up as an article, but I don't think that makes sense. My approach has some twists and turns in it, but mostly a lot of people have built control panels. So, I will write a bit more about how I built mine later this in the thread.
Josef - I will continue to babble about my projects as time permits.
Thanks again guys.
George
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Post by healey36 on Jul 24, 2024 2:18:50 GMT
Keep it going, George. While there’s much I don’t understand, it still makes for a good read. I look forward to the day when your post starts off with “Here’s a shot of double-headed I-1s Decs approaching the bridge with a long coal drag...”
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Post by josef on Jul 24, 2024 9:55:10 GMT
I also look forward to your project and your sharing step by step. A lot of inspiration in your posts.
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Post by g3750 on Jul 24, 2024 13:26:07 GMT
Keep it going, George. While there’s much I don’t understand, it still makes for a good read. I look forward to the day when your post starts off with “Here’s a shot of double-headed I-1s Decs approaching the bridge with a long coal drag...” Oh man, I can't wait for that either. When the Steubenville portion of the layout is done, I will be able to drive the golden spike and run a complete loop. That's when that train will do the first lap. Decapods Rule on the Panhandle!
It's actually not that far off in the future. God willing and all other things being equal, I see that happening before the end of 2025.
George
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Post by g3750 on Jul 24, 2024 13:26:48 GMT
I also look forward to your project and your sharing step by step. A lot of inspiration in your posts. Thank you! I really appreciate that.
George
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Post by g3750 on Jul 25, 2024 1:53:02 GMT
The control panel is fantastic! I’d love to learn more about how you made it. The control panel started as a drawing made with Microsoft Visio. I have been using this tool for 20+ years. The big blue dots are the spots for the toggle switches. The smaller dots indicate the future positions of 5mm LEDs. I used Visio's library of shapes to create Pennsy style tower sign. If you don't want to pay for Vision, there is a similar open-source (free) program called Dia. In fact, there are many, many others. Google "Visio clones". Anyway, that's how this drawing was created. I printed it in as vibrant a manner as possible. Then it was off to Staples to have it laminated (4mm or 5mm).
I painted both sides of a section of 1/8" Masonite with a Behr paint color called Moroccan Henna; that's the color of the fascia. Then I used 3M77, a spray adhesive, to fasten the laminated drawing to the Masonite.
Using a 7/16" Forstner bit, I drilled out the holes for the toggle switches. For the 5mm LEDs, I used a #10 bit from this set. A friend gave me that tip.
After you remove the top nut and position indicator, you can screw the toggle switches right into the Masonite. When you space the toggles on the board, make sure you leave enough space for them to turn 360 degrees as they are screwed into place. See how closely they are placed?
After that, it's time to place the terminal blocks. You'll need two - one for + and one for -. Use a jumper bar.
I'll get to the wiring in the next post.
George
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Post by Adam on Jul 25, 2024 1:55:27 GMT
Paul, Adam, Joe, Josef - thank for chiming in. I was trying to make sure I wasn't in some hermetically sealed bubble somewhere.
Paul - while I may be trying some new things, I am facing a lot of the basic problems that chase everyone: keeping track clean, figuring out whether it's the locomotive or the track that's having problems, basic wiring, or debugging switches. As for pouring another river, well, this one was way more than I expected. I hope I never have to attempt something like that again.
Joe - you have no idea how much I would like to be running trains around a completed layout (or even a loop)! It's taken way more time to get to this point than I would like. I once interviewed a person to work for me on a software project. She described herself as "a recovering perfectionist". That's me! Except for the "recovering" part. LOL
Adam - I was going to try to get the control panel written up as an article, but I don't think that makes sense. My approach has some twists and turns in it, but mostly a lot of people have built control panels. So, I will write a bit more about how I built mine later this in the thread.
Josef - I will continue to babble about my projects as time permits.
Thanks again guys.
George
I am following along. It's really fascinating to see it coming together. Your notes are meticulous. It's like the Captain's Log!
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