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Post by g3750 on Aug 7, 2024 22:52:05 GMT
Updated 8/7/2024:
PRR signals on Staging Exit track and westbound mainline are now operational and coordinated. The signals also display STOP when the westbound main beyond Switch #36 is occupied.
More when I know it.
George
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Post by atsda on Aug 8, 2024 13:42:07 GMT
George, nice work - one section at a time. Alfred
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Post by healey36 on Aug 8, 2024 14:40:49 GMT
Looks great, George.
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Post by g3750 on Aug 9, 2024 2:54:29 GMT
Thanks guys. It's a marathon not a sprint (unfortunately).
George
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Post by g3750 on Aug 24, 2024 1:19:43 GMT
Updated 8/23/2024:
This post is a bit of a catch up of things.
- I acquired all the materials for the re-do of the Open Hearth's roof. I have never been happy with it - too much warp. I think it detracts from what could be a superb model. So I got some large sheets of styrene, CA de-bonder, and more medium CA. The plan is to paint the large sections of styrene, test fit them onto the roof, determine if they are too wavy (stiffen if need be with ABS rods), and then glue the Plastruct roof sections to them. I'm hoping my supply of Plastruct is adequate (but probably isn't).
- While I have the Open Hearth's roof off, I plan to remove some of the charging side walls and charging floor and straighten out the electronics. Ever since I lifted it onto the layout things have started to fail. I've lost 1 set of smokestack lights, at least 1 string of overhead building lights, and the large smoke generator is not working. I think all of these are related to broken connections somewhere in the bowels of the structure.
- To prepare for the above two efforts, I enlarged the access hole behind the mill. This will allow me to reach the back of the mill and deal with any derailments or stalls in the back corner of the layout. Here's some of the work that took place today. Left to right: before starting; looking underneath with the mill trailing wheels visible; a corner brace I put in to stiffen the beam; the newly expanded hole; the cut out pieces; new look from the top.
- .
      - Note that these access holes will be blocked from view by the Blooming Mill and the pillars of Crawford's Crossing highway overpass
More when I know it.
George
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Post by healey36 on Aug 25, 2024 16:57:44 GMT
George,
Love the shot up through the access hole, a layout sight rarely seen.
Looking at these photos, I recall that there's quite a bit of rework required on our layout before it'll be back in operating form. Who's your therapist?
Paul R.
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Post by g3750 on Aug 26, 2024 3:19:20 GMT
George, Love the shot up through the access hole, a layout sight rarely seen. Looking at these photos, I recall that there's quite a bit of rework required on our layout before it'll be back in operating form. Who's your therapist? Paul R. Jack. Jack Daniels. 
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Post by atsda on Aug 26, 2024 17:33:48 GMT
George , it is never good to hear phrases like "broken connections somewhere in the bowels of the structure". I hope you resolve the electrical issues without much problem. If you get frustrated, don't slam your fist on the layout - it will likely cause other electrical failures. Take it slow and easy. Alfred
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Post by g3750 on Aug 27, 2024 0:08:23 GMT
George , it is never good to hear phrases like "broken connections somewhere in the bowels of the structure". I hope you resolve the electrical issues without much problem. If you get frustrated, don't slam your fist on the layout - it will likely cause other electrical failures. Take it slow and easy. Alfred
Actually, I may have one or two strings of LEDs that are dead. But what I do know for certain is that the power supply is too small (in terms of watts) for the mill. So that's one positive step. With the load lightened, the previously dead string of smokestack lights has come back to life!!!
Also, I investigated the large smoke unit and found out it had a broken wire. I've fixed that!
Baby steps.
George
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Post by healey36 on Oct 5, 2024 12:39:14 GMT
What's happening on the Panhandle?
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Post by g3750 on Oct 6, 2024 1:01:36 GMT
What's happening on the Panhandle? Updated 10/5/2024:
Well, I actually do owe you guys an update. Since the last time I posted, here's what has happened:
- I repaired and re-installed the overhead transfer crane in the Open Hearth. We had some pieces come off due to some accidental vibration. These sit precariously on rails.
  - In early September, the 7 year-old grandson visited the layout for the first time! He was blown away, especially with the scavenger hunt.
- A new power supply (LRS-350-12) putting out 12VDC and 350 watts was installed in the Open Hearth. There are still 2 strands of lights not working, but all the blinking light issues have disappeared. There's no shortage of power now.
 
- So as to test the new power supply, I reinstalled the large smoke unit. It failed, nearly catching fire before I cut power. It's gone and I'm re-evaluating the use of a large smoke unit in the structure.
- Two fire extinguishers have been installed in the train room as a result of the smoke unit fire.
- Early attempts to de-bond roof sections and reuse them in the new fortified Open Hearth roof have so far been unsuccessful. I'm still chewing on this one. But the mill interior is back and looking pretty good, I think.
  
- I am now thinking about the woodworking aspect of my slag dump. I am going to cut and size a 4' x 8' x 1/4" Masonite sheet to make the base of the slag dump. We're doing a lot of test-fitting and mock-ups to see how all the pieces will end up, and how I will support it all. The dump is going to be permanently installed on the layout, but the Arduino and other circuitry that will animate it will sit on a small (6" x 12") base that must be removable. It's not going to be removed every day, but some thought must be given to access and to powering the board. All of these affect the placement of components.
- Last week an electrician and model railroading friend installed a whole-house surge suppressor. It's good insurance!!!
- Earlier this week, I held a 2-hour virtual meeting with the designer of the 2-sided backdrop that will provide a view block between the City of Weirton and Weirton Junction. I am pretty happy with the conversation and progress and now look forward to seeing the proofs prior to production.
- The layout and train room got a thorough cleaning.
- A family friend and his wife flew in to visit and stayed overnight with us on Thursday. He was amazed at the progress on the layout since last year. It was fun watching him run trains – real kid on Christmas morning stuff. His wife loved the layout scavenger hunt. Even though it’s not done, I’m enjoying the layout and the effect it has on visitors.
- And, I am ecstatic to report that the layout performed very well. Not only did engines crawl along without stalling, the 18” passenger cars on the Spirit of St. Louis were able to back down the mainline at moderate speeds!
- I did have 2 TMCC-related minor emergencies. In nearly the same spot, two different engines failed to respond to the DIR button in a timely fashion. One situation prompted the use of Emergency Halt. In the other, I simply grabbed the Decapod off the track, averting a Red Arrow type of event. As a result of that "excitement" and taking into account there will be view blocks that hinder detection of emergencies, I have decided to install 3-4 emergency Halt buttons around the layout. These will be hardwired to the terminal strip that controls power to the layout. My electrician friend has volunteered to construct them.
- I have sold a bunch of stuff that will be delivered to York next week.
- A new circuit (ITAD-like) has been acquired. I hope to install it (to run a PRR signal) very soon.
- I have gone back to work at Hobby Express 2 days a week.
You are now caught up. 
George
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Post by healey36 on Oct 6, 2024 1:20:14 GMT
Amazing progress, George; thanks for the update. Great to hear the trains are running...that can be a powerful motivator.
The layout scavenger hunt is a great idea. We have done them in the past at the holidays, and if it's tough getting the kids out of the basement when the trains are running, it's doubly tough when they're looking for a list of thirty or forty things around the layout (especially if you're offering a prize for finding all of them).
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Post by g3750 on Oct 15, 2024 13:48:46 GMT
Updated 10/15/2024:
- It's York week!!!! I'm very excited. I'm traveling there with a dear friend. I expect to see many other friends there as well. I've sold lots of items that will be delivered at York. And I have some things to pick up including track and a repaired locomotive. Best of all, my son's family is attending.
- I have been thinking about how the Open Hearth roof will be constructed and installed. If we get one more good day outside (temps in the 70s), I will be able to paint the undersides of the large panels. I'm waiting for a bunch of Plastruct (yes, pretty much the only game in town
 ) 91512 roof panels to come in at Hobby Express.
- Progress on the 2-sided divider (Weirton / Weirton Junction) is moving along. Proofs have been delivered and mostly approved. With luck everything will be finalized by the end of the month, and we can get that project going.
- Still waiting on the 3D printing of railing for the highway overpass at Crawford's Crossing. No ETA on that as yet.
- The slag dump animation is currently on hold, but the carpentry work for it could be moved forward if the other projects remain stalled post-York.
More when I know it.
George
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Post by healey36 on Oct 15, 2024 22:55:37 GMT
Many, many irons in the fire.
If you see me at York on Friday, slap me upside the head.
Paul
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Post by Adam on Oct 16, 2024 11:28:59 GMT
Updated 10/15/2024:
- It's York week!!!! I'm very excited. I'm traveling there with a dear friend. I expect to see many other friends there as well. I've sold lots of items that will be delivered at York. And I have some things to pick up including track and a repaired locomotive. Best of all, my son's family is attending.
- I have been thinking about how the Open Hearth roof will be constructed and installed. If we get one more good day outside (temps in the 70s), I will be able to paint the undersides of the large panels. I'm waiting for a bunch of Plastruct (yes, pretty much the only game in town ) 91512 roof panels to come in at Hobby Express.
- Progress on the 2-sided divider (Weirton / Weirton Junction) is moving along. Proofs have been delivered and mostly approved. With luck everything will be finalized by the end of the month, and we can get that project going.
- Still waiting on the 3D printing of railing for the highway overpass at Crawford's Crossing. No ETA on that as yet.
- The slag dump animation is currently on hold, but the carpentry work for it could be moved forward if the other projects remain stalled post-York.
More when I know it.
George
Have fun! Share what you find with us!
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) 91512 roof panels to come in at Hobby Express.
