BarstowRick's H&P Layout Restoration

BarstowRick Sep 15, 2020

  1. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    I dont think "running" is the appropriate phrase... But there is that condition that you dont want to stand under that would prolly happen :D:p
     
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  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Kind of off the subject. As what they call first responders, today. Those of us who worked Ambulances as the early form of EMT's. Right along with the fire departments. We preferred driving up on a accident scene with cars having a negative frame. A positive frame and ground usually resulted in an electrical fire. As the positive is always seeking ground. Batteries don't like shorting out.

    So, we carried a tool kit where hopefully we would have the right tools to remove the battery leads. If you get my drift.

    Did you get any ideas from all this hub-bub over wiring a reverse loop?

    Have a question or comment feel free to ask. Through (can't spell this morning). Throw your ideas out here.
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2021
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  3. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I don't have any reverse loops or sections (wyes, turntables, etc.) on this layout but I had two on my double decker layout back in the seventies and eighties. I just used one switch to change polarity of both of them at the same time since I only used one-at-a-time.

    Hehe, spell check rejects "wyes".

    Doug
     
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  4. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    Switching the polarity of the main makes sense since the train is technically going to be going the other direction. In DCC world we switch the isolated loops, but then again the locomotive doesn't care what the polarity of the DCC signal is, it rectifies that into the correct polarity for the motors, which are isolated by a few transistors.
     
  5. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I had to add "wyes" to my dictionary. Now it's okay with it. Nothing is foolproof.
     
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  6. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Rick, do not worry about spelling. I went into engineering simply because there is really no need to spell, just know what the Greek letters meant.

    As to this age old wiring discussion, the key to remember is to be consistent. Consistency goes hand in hand with success!
     
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  7. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Greek letters, I took Greek in college and flunked it not once but twice. I did learn the alphabet Alpha, Beta... but that's all I remember now. Does that say something about me? :confused::eek:

    Chemistry was different. I didn't do bad with learning the abbreviations. I enjoyed that class. Yes, I passed.o_O

    On this forever thread on my layout restoration. I remind myself Rome wasn't built in a day.:eek:

    What I should of done is marked these wires prior to cutting them loose. That would be true of my consistency when doing things. Unfortunately I ran out of time. Then I trusted on the fact that I had color coded my wires. This will play a big factor on getting them back together. Along with the added assurance of test lights. I'm sure we all know how those work.

    Now, here's something interesting. I was building an O27 toy train layout for my boss. Actually it was more like and 072 as I widened the curves out. I'll bet you saw that coming. I didn't run with the typical Lionel Track, I ran with Weavers and Atlas sectional track and switches. I found myself saying nice. :D:D

    I soldered in wires to the first and middle rails. I used block wiring with DPDT's toggle switches for Cab A and Cab B. Does that sound like an over build? A lot of work for a modified O gauge railroad? I left the third rail open for signal light circuitry. A type of CTC wiring. It also worked well when installing track detection with lights on the control panel. Nice when the signals and track detector lights work correctly.(y)

    I found if I flipped the wires as in reverse polarity... the trains didn't like that and the built in circuit breaker in the transformer would pop. The transformer didn't like it. I didn't like it. Not at all. I took that to mean you can't flip the AC power for O gauge trains. Also, It's not true AC,, was my conclusion. A filtered or modified AC. :whistle::whistle:

    Anyway, my conclusions have been wrong before. I learned real quick, I had to make sure the wiring was consistent in the whole of the layout. Things worked much better after that.;)

    I probably shouldn't bring this up. I call it the ultimate insult. Then his son (aiiyiiyii) because he resented his Dad spending all that money on the train layout and not on him... tore it all down. (DA) Which isn't District Attorney. :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

    Not even bothering to save the switches or track. (n)(n)

    Just glad it's not my job to forgive him.:censored::censored::censored:

    That's it for now.

    Catch you all later.:cool:
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2021
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  8. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Consistency is only good if it is consistently good. But consistently bad is easier to fix than inconsistently bad.
     
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  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Appreciate everyone's Input here. It's always has been welcomed and always will be. Thank you to for the Likes, Visits and again your Participation.

    Life isn't without it's heart breaks, sorrows and grief. More importantly it isn't without it's Fun, Victories, Project Completions and the following Celebrations. Or, so I keep telling myself. Well, I'm some where in the middle with the layout and that's the best update I can give you.

    My layout will never go down in the Model Railroad World as the Premier Layout. A layout the envy of others. But it will go down as the Layout I spent so much dammed time on. AND hope it was worth it. It's brought me both joy and heartache and sometimes at the same time.

    Here's a few more construction photos. They are mainly of the Hidden Staging Yard and the top deck that goes over the tops of it. A must for some who want an Entertainment Layout.

    Layout 3-8-07 016.jpg

    Above is the South East end of the Hidden Staging Yard.
    You can tell I don't like passenger trains.

    Looks Like Grand Central Station.jpg

    Above this is the West End. You've already seen this picture but it follows the one above.

    Dry Gulch Bridge & Staging Yard.jpg

    Above a pull back view of the South West End.
    I dig on freight trains as well.

    Staging Yard E. End 2.jpg

    Anyway, this is the area I need to make sure everything works before I put the top deck on.

    In the meantime, I'm making a bracket for the bracket to hold the wall mounted Plasma TV that will hang over the top of the layout. I've had so many come in to visit the layout. The first question is: Did they really run trains that way. Throw in a DVD and VCR and let them see for themselves. So, I need to get the one TV and two other computer screens hung on the walls. To include the Valence with the actual numbers from a diesel switch engine. I have the new Led light fixture and bulb. I also have small spot light fixtures to install.

    Lot's to do yet!

    Moving along in the right direction but slowly.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2021
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  10. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    From a guy who likes lots of tracks on a layout, I am impressed.

    And yes, your layout IS moving in the right direction, unlike the economy.

    Doug
     
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  11. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I am sure it will go down in history as something...just not sure yet. All of us can come up with all kinds of adjectives to describe it ! :D(y):notworthy:
     
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  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Funny George, just to funny. :confused::ROFLMAO::LOL::D

    I can use some adjectives and expletives that aren't allowed here about now.:censored::censored::censored:

    In the end...and my son-in-law will be the one to tear it down. I think he'll enjoy that.:rolleyes::rolleyes:
     
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  13. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    You sound like me. I taught some kids Model Railroading and one of things I harped on was: Learn how to do it right the first time so you don't have to do it again. The kids looked at me in disbelief. But understood when the Blue Box Athearn kits didn't go together correctly
    They learned. Doing a nice job...in the end.

    Most of us learned from the school of hard knocks and lessons learned. Is there a better way?
     
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  14. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I've been to that school. Too many knocks but a few lessons.
     
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  15. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I thought I saw you there.
    :);)
     
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  16. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Rick, it's a pleasure to try to keep up with your spaghetti repairs! It reminds me of working on older, many times modified locomotives in need of some wire fixes. However, all the wires are the same color! That's when the wire 'ringer' comes out to figure out which wire is which!

    For those unfamiliar with a 'ringer,' it is a simple tool. A length of wire is attached to a 9V bell on one post of a 9V big square battery. The other side is attached to a second wire. both wires have alligator clips on their ends. when connected, through the sought out wire, the bell 'rings.' Of course, all the power must be off, but it is a neat tool.

    We had a guy that had worked at Grumman in Long Island, and he made us jealous due to a tool they used while wiring Naval aircraft. Every wire was printed with it's circuit designation and wire number the full length of the wire! That would have been a right helpful thing!

    Ah, well. Back to your regularly scheduled 'wireus repairus' episode! Keep after it and have an extra Advil !!!! :whistle:
     
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  17. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    Sort of like the difference between 'measure twice, cut once' and 'measure once, cut twice'.
     
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  18. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sort of!!:D
    When buying wood I like to buy it long and hopefully only have to cut it once. I hate it when I cut it short and have to stretch it.:confused:
     
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  19. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Me thinks I found a purpose for a door bell I have. Humm??:sick::sick:

    I check continuity with a multimeter. When it pings and moves the meter finger I know we are good.;)
     
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  20. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    It's Sunday, Mother's day. Oh the memories. I wouldn't be here without her.

    In Big Bear Country the talk would be of the last snow. Mother's day usually marked the last snow of the season. Not much to talk about but it was pretty to watch. After that... Summer was on. We could only hope there was enough water in the lake to go fishing, swimming and boating. Most of it ended up on the mountains for the ski slopes. Seldom did it melt and refill the lake. Evaporation and ground saturation ate it up.

    Here in Nampa, ID., I'm not sure what Mother's day marks. It's still cold at night, in the 40's. We did hit 90 F. one day last week. Warm enough to see if the AC still works. Thankfully it does.

    There's no question that after being here for better then two and a half years I should be further along on the train layout then I am. I m not so I will work as fast as I can which isn't all that fast these days.

    I've thought about tossing in the towel (as George would say). Wanting to do so on a number of occasions. Having more to do with my body frame and it's lack of flexibility then the layout. I can fix the layout but I can't fix me without the help of those fine medical professionals. So I work when I can and push it as far as I can. Frustrating, frustrating, frustrating.

    Initially, it was eye surgery that slowed me down and next up was having my rotting teeth removed. I was beginning to look like a Pirate.
    The Cataract Eye surgery was slick but they kept delaying the surgery. The teeth, went smooth at first until I came out from under the Anesthesia. Aiiyiiyii what the hell. Was the Dentist mad at me? I fully expected such. I had already had fifteen of them removed one or two at a time. It took what seemed like forever to get past the pain.

    Now the dining room needed to have the boxes and stuff from moving removed and reorganized. The dogs that once called this home soiled the carpet in the room and my cat's followed suit. Once the carpet was removed and new linoleum/vinyl flooring installed. It was time to move the train layout in. And that's where this thread starts.

    The dining room then became the Train room. Not the perfect place for the layout but it's indoors and I have air-conditioning to keep me cool. You can't beat that.

    My favorite description is: "Folded over Pretzel-ed Dog Bone" of a layout. Thank-you Steve. The "Wireus Repairus" is a spaghetti bowl. Oh, it's not all that bad but right now it isn't that good. It is and will be a challenge to restore. I keep looking at and posting pictures of what it was like back when. It ran smooth and I enjoyed operating trains. I post those pic's to motivate self. Working toward a goal. I made up my mind I wouldn't quit working on it. It gives me something to do and something I enjoy doing.

    I want to get past this phase and into the fun stuff. You know scenery, real-estate and those awesome trains running.

    Well, I need to get my "Dingers," those infamous test lights wired-up... stripped, braided together, soldered and taped up. Then it will be time to put the test the circuits and re-unite the wires. Once that's done I can then start work on the track.

    Allergy season that's what Mother's Day Marks. Under the weather with a allergy related cold. Hope that's all it is. Knock on wood. Hey, hey, hey I'm not superstitious. Where's the salt? You know over the shoulder.

    Thanks for your support, kind thoughts and light heart-ed comments.

    Catch you all later.
     
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