Time to run!

Keith Mar 11, 2015

  1. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    A few shots, of the rebuilt section in use!
    Coal train in action. Ran great, without the problems I was having before.

    A little minor grading to do, from what I see.
    Rocks in wye moved, and other rocks dropped in place and filled in.
    [​IMG]

    Coal train in action, over rebuilt area.
    [​IMG]

    Stretched out along house! Caboose at one end. Middle Burlington unit at the other!
    Exceeds length of house, by at least 1 locomotive length here. If straightened out, it would stretch a bit farther!
    Again, total length of train is about 30 feet!
    [​IMG]

    Another general shot of the coal train in action.
    [​IMG]

    More updates of today's work later.
     
    Hardcoaler, BoxcabE50 and HemiAdda2d like this.
  2. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Managed about 90 minutes play time tonight.
    Needed to test out some of the recent track work done.
    Set up a short freight train this time. Didn't have the time
    or motivation to set the coal train up!

    USA GP30, AML and USA boxcars and USA caboose.

    Cookie cars are the newest additions to the collection, as
    are a couple of white Aristo Craft Cookie cars.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    IF I can be up early enough, I'm gonna set up and run the coal train again! Adjusted some track in back
    that was causing a few minor issues!

    Also had someone stop by, and comment on the railroad. Asked if I knew someone down the street, which I did not.
    Used the railroad as a landmark! Was headed down the street, to do some electrical work. Asked friend where he
    was, in relation to the railroad out front!
     
    BoxcabE50 and HemiAdda2d like this.
  3. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Latest locomotive, Rio Grande GP30 #3017 is now ready to start
    earning its keep! The Airwire R/C board and Phoenix sound was
    installed a little earlier tonight! Works and sound as it should!
    Gonna test it, with the rest of my units tomorrow, or Friday.
    Did a quick coupler swap as well. Swapped an LGB and Kadee coupler
    between units, so I have Kadees on the front of both Rio Grande units.
    Until I can get a set of Kadees to finish the coupler swap!

    With railroad club meeting tomorrow night, I might not be doing too much
    as far as the railroad goes! Maybe a quick test of the 4 GP30's.
    Maybe some quick track work Friday. Getting ballast groomed a bit, where I have it!
    Full coal train test run Friday sometime as well. Gotta make sure everything is
    gonna run good for club open house over the weekend!
     
    Hardcoaler and HemiAdda2d like this.
  4. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    22,014
    27,407
    253
    Love those GP30s. Nice work so far!
     
    Hardcoaler and ddechamp71 like this.
  5. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Got the radio control and sound in the other Rio Grande unit Weds night.
    Have a total of 4 GP30’s now. 2 Rio Grande(3001/3017) And 2 Burlington(949/950).
    Gets quite loud, when sound is on, on all 4 units! Just wish that RPM’s would
    increase/decrease on units, when set up in a consist.

    Have to shut sound OFF on 3 units, so it sounds right, when increasing/decreasing RPM’s
    when climbing or descending grade(s). Not gonna complain though! Whether 1 unit, or all 4, the sound is great!
    Here’s hoping everything goes good, for railroad club layout tour this weekend!
    May set up a short, second train, for folks to operate, if they choose to. Plus the coal train!
    Will try to get photos over The Weeknd, of any action.
     
  6. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

    3,595
    7,664
    80
    Keith, you aren't violating any "no horn blowing" ordinances, are you?

    :D

    Doug
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  7. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    I don’t need to stinking ordinances!

    However, the horn and bell are preprogrammed to activate
    for the following:

    1 honk when power first applied.
    1 honk when train comes to a complete stop. Bell rings.
    2 honks when moving forward. Bell rings.
    3 honks when moving in reverse. Bell rings.

    Can’t do anything about this! Other than turn master volume down some!
     
  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Your roster keeps expanding... What all do you have now? At least three D&RGW GP30's???
     
  9. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Roster consists of the following:

    1 Bachmann K27
    1 BLW Goose #6
    1 LGB DRGW #50
    1 USAT ALCo PA
    1 USAT SD70MAC - DRGW heritage paint. Not correct, but looks good!
    2 Aristo GP40
    4 USAT GP30 - 2 DRGW, 2 Burlington
    1 USAT NW2 cow/calf.

    And an array of standard and narrow gauge freight and passenger cars.
    And cabooses.
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  10. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Have been trying to run the GP40’s lately, with problems though!
    One unit would NOT accept the speed step setting I tried to apply.
    Power up, it ran 4 feet then stopped. Moved another foot or so, IF
    I increased/decreased speed.

    Would NOT accept decoder reset attempts. Finally pulled the body off
    early this morning, pulled the Airwire antenna cable and used my Digitrax
    system to reprogram a few CV’s that reset the de order! Then figured out
    how to reset the throttle! Once I did that, reconnect ted everything and made
    a quick test inside, it ran as I wanted it to!

    Test run with the other unit today, it ran perfectly! Now, I just need to reinstall
    the screws that hold the body on, and install front handrails again. The, I shouldn’t
    be in violation of any rules, that I’m aware of! Ran for a couple hours, since it wasn’t
    too late, and it was still nice, and light out! Gave up so I could clean up before it got too
    dark to see! And so that I could grab dinner, since I’m getting hungry!

    Overall, not a bad day. Might look into changing transmit frequency though.
    Can’t run the GP40’s and the GP30’s together, without one or the other not
    responding to the throttle. I’ll work on that later! Time to take a break and rest for a bit!
     
    HemiAdda2d likes this.
  11. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    22,014
    27,407
    253
    Quite the roster you have building up there! Have you got a snow plow? All too soon, it could see a call to service!
     
  12. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    I have a plow! I’ve used said plow on several occasions!
    Have a few videos of it in action, on YouTube.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2018
    HemiAdda2d, BoxcabE50 and Hardcoaler like this.
  13. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Swapped power supply outside briefly. Set up a DC
    power source, and ranthe NW2 set for a bit. Now, I
    just gotta get Airwire and Sound for them!

    Getting darker earlier. Couldn’t stay out and run for too
    long! But then, it was also a nice warm 52* outside, when
    I decided to go and run. Gonna be in the mid to upper 80’s tomorrow!
     
  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Could you link us to your YT Channel?
     
  15. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Our highs for today and tomorrow predicted as 47 degrees. Methinks outdoor model RR season is closing soon.
     
  16. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Was 80*+ here today! Getting to the 40’s overnight though.
    Was a great day today. Ended up helping build a fence instead!
    Getting a wooden fence built, so dogs next door don’t cause problems!
    Jump up on fence, unheard, usually less than 2 feet from your face, when you stand up!
    Bark at you constantly as well. They do NOT really care for, or pay attention to the dogs!
    Been joking with Mom, about running a coal branch along the edge of the backyard, along
    the fences! To add more operating interest!! Got some NOT so nice looks after that comment!
    With October a day away, it’s gonna start going downhill pretty quick. First freeze/frost could
    be around birthday, around Oct 18,according to weather reports on the news. With snow not
    too far behind that! Possible by Halloween!

    My YT channel:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWbdN8eSJ5nCEeEy6oTcGbQ?app=desktop

    Has a bit of everything. From railroad videos, to train show, to severe dust storm to dumb people!
     
  17. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

    3,595
    7,664
    80
    I love your outdoor railroad, Keith. The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson debuted the day before my tenth birthday, October first, 1962, my birthday being October second, of course.

    Doug
     
  18. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    Mine is 17 days later, on the 19th, 1968.
    Used to watch Johnny Carson every night!
    And the Jay Leno, when he took over.
    Looked forward to Monday nights - Headlines.
    I mean, did news editors ever check what was about to be printed??

    Now, I gotta get Airwire and sound for the NW2 set. IF the Phoenix sound
    card is readily available. My source was telling recently, that he was having
    trouble getting things from Phoenix. Hoping the programming CD arrives at some point!
    Was hoping to run the NW’s today, but got involved helping get a fence up!
    But, Mom is happy! A little more to go Sunday and we will be done with the fence, for this year.
    Will finish the rest next year.
     
  19. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

    4,595
    2,072
    88
    A few, not so great one, from the NW-2 today! Not as sharp.
    Think it was because train was moving. Auto focus, so....

    Newest purchases running today!

    USAT NW-2 cow/calf. Calf direct from USA, Cow as part of an RTR set!
    Purchased specifically for the locomotive! [​IMG]
    2 USAT Rio Grande cookie cars, silver, different numbers
    2 Aristo Rio Grande cookie cars, white, duplicate number
    AML Rio Grande boxcar, purchased a while back.
    Aristo short Rio Grande caboose, purchased several years ago!

    [​IMG]

    Next up, Airwire Radio Control and Sound
     
    Hardcoaler and BoxcabE50 like this.
  20. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    22,014
    27,407
    253
    Simply 'Grande! The cow/calf NW2 is an interesting lashup. Even if it ain't prototypical! :p
     

Share This Page