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Post by Adam on Sept 28, 2022 20:05:00 GMT
I believe having the heavier cars up front is what they do in the real train world. But I could be wrong.
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Post by ptc on Sept 28, 2022 22:04:00 GMT
"I believe having the heavier cars up front is what they do in the real train world. But I could be wrong"
I believe Tom could easily answer this question.
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Post by atsda on Sept 30, 2022 2:10:15 GMT
Adam/ PTC Thanks. Have been running the GE44 consist with gondolas and tank cars through different routes – not the tricky ones yet. Put it on the Eastside siding and took the freight consist headed by SF FA AA out of the spur. (The homemade horn contact feature near the bumper works great.) For better performance, I put the non-power unit in the lead. (The power truck seems to have better traction going backwards.) Will now have to have a headlight/ light put in the non-power unit. Also, I am going to rewire the siding – right now it is bounded by tracks at each end that have insulating pins on both sides of the power rail. Will rewire to put each on its own toggle switch. This way, can run a train in, have it come to a halt automatically, and then cut power at the rear. (This will help manage trains in either direction. Alfred
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Post by atsda on Oct 1, 2022 1:49:44 GMT
I have read many posts about running passenger trains. PTC seems to run them exclusively. There is a book by Phillip H. Alt that you may find enjoyable and fact- filled – All Aboard!: The Story of Passenger Trains in America (1976). Chapter 8, “Swift and Slow Trains”, is particularly interesting, mentioning the naming of Pullmans and noting that on one day in the early 1900’s, that 27 ‘named’ passenger services were observed on Horseshoe Curve in a single night between 10:45 PM and 3 AM (many forgotten names) – and many anecdote’s Other chapters cover early history, dining service, streamliners, robberies, wrecks, Amtrak and other stories and history. I have got it in special audio format; however, it may be found in print format. It is worth searching around to read – very different than other books on the subject. Alfred
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Post by Adam on Oct 1, 2022 7:40:00 GMT
Alfred,
I’ll have to look for that book. Sounds interesting.
Adam
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Post by atsda on Oct 2, 2022 1:30:00 GMT
Tonight, it’s not what’s on the tracks, but, under the tracks. I am. Under the layout to re-wire the Eastside outer siding. Originally, after a train entered the siding, the single toggle switched off would kill the power in the siding (this would have to be done before the exit is reached). I decided that with two toggles, and some re-wiring, I could get a better system. Not finished yet (maybe tomorrow); however, when in place: When a train approaches, one toggle halts it at the entrance, then on to allow the train to proceed, after the engine passes the insulated section, the toggle is set to off. The train will proceed and stop automatically at the siding exit(the entry and exit insulated section are on the same toggle). At this point, I can kill the power to store the train, or leave it on to do operations. (This works whether the train is Eastbound on the North or South track. Alfred (The second toggle will be connected to entrance and exit insulated sections on the Eastside inner siding. A third toggle will be on/off power for the inner siding; thereby, using 3 toggles for the whole system.)
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Post by atsda on Oct 3, 2022 5:14:17 GMT
Nothing on the tracks today. Some track sections have been disconnected to wire them for new sidings operation. Just got out from under the layout, and after three hours, all the insulated track connections made. What remains is to run the power wires to three toggle switches. Had to relocate the wiring from one of the four insulated track sections to another track section. With the original scheme, the train would come to a stop within an inch of the straight section of a switch – if the train was moving faster, it may have made it into the switch. Alfred (Some of the work being wedged between the layout edge and the pitched roof, bent at about 45 degrees for sustained periods. Speaking of degrees, it was about 50 in the attic – pleasant however, listening to the rainfall.)
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Post by Adam on Oct 3, 2022 9:45:57 GMT
Sounds like some major surgery happening on your layout Alfred.
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Post by atsda on Oct 3, 2022 18:18:12 GMT
Yes Adam, for the past month or so, it has been continuous changes and updates. Early this morning, before I started wiring the third toggle switch that would simultaneously control the insulated track section to both sidings, I realized that I should use additional toggle. If I use one for both sidings, then a train halted at the exit insulated track section of the first siding would begin to proceed when the toggle was switched to allow a second train to enter the other siding. (Even if the two trains were not simultaneously straddling paired switches, the operation is not what I wanted.) Two toggles make for independent operation. I must have hit my head on the underside of the layout too many times, otherwise, I would have recognized this ahead of time. Alfred
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Post by atsda on Oct 10, 2022 4:39:51 GMT
ON the tracks are two newly installed crimped metal strips. They are on the outer rail and opposing insulated rail (lower part of tubular track ) on the first track on the elevated track section. I connected wires from them to a 1.5 V battery-powered Lionel 2023 engine horn. When a train enters / leaves the elevated reversing loop, the horn sounds. It is hidden in Tim’s Garage and Service Center on the North side of the layout. A similar connection will be made to the exit/ entrance at the other end of the loop. It works when tested with a running engine. Otherwise, there are two idle trains on the Eastside inner and outer sidings. Alfred
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Post by atsda on Oct 17, 2022 20:04:25 GMT
A train is again on the tracks. Finished the block wiring for the2 Eastside sidings. Also, finished the horn warning that sounds on trains entering/ exiting the elevated track reversing loop. Incorporated in that wiring is the audible signal for the bumper on the Southeast side. Could not resist putting a push-button control near the control panel, so that the horn could be sounded independently. (When my granddaughter gets older, she may like that.) Although appreciable measured voltage is available at the mid-point of the elevated track section, trains move slowly there. Not sure if it’s a track, grade problem, or electrical. Will add a power connection and test other consists. Running the Lehigh 627 GE44 with mixed gondola/ tank car consist. Alfred
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Post by Country Joe on Oct 18, 2022 2:07:15 GMT
I'm still running the same trains, 2 Trump Train freights and an Amtrak passenger train.
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Post by atsda on Oct 19, 2022 3:00:22 GMT
Joe, No problem with running the same ttrains - as long as everything is working, enjoy. What is heading your Amtrak train, and what cars are on it? Alfred
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Post by Country Joe on Oct 19, 2022 18:25:29 GMT
Joe, No problem with running the same ttrains - as long as everything is working, enjoy. What is heading your Amtrak train, and what cars are on it? Alfred
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Post by atsda on Oct 20, 2022 3:33:49 GMT
Thanks Joe for the info. On my tracks? Tools, wires, and track sections. I'm rearranging. Alfred
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