Frost River: The Construction Thread

TwinDad Mar 29, 2015

  1. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    While I like working with the jigs, when available, the point/frog jig is a must. So much quicker and easier
     
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  2. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    Time for a MILESTONE!

    This weekend, I closed the loop on the main line, and got trains running with my iPhone with WiThrottle and JMRI on a Raspberry Pi.



    Update Video Part 4 is just some entertainment running trains, but I plan/hope to release Part 5 soon with some narrative and description about the work that was done.

    Enjoy!!
     
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  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Congratulations! :)
     
  4. KevinTheSPF

    KevinTheSPF TrainBoard Member

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    Looks like its coming along nicely. Good to see that plan being brought to reality.
     
  5. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Congrats on the milestone
     
  6. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    Time for another video update... this one provides an overview of the lift-up bridge across the aisle...

     
  7. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    Quick update... I got the passing siding at Frost River installed...

    In the photos, the well cars are on the siding, the Viewliner is on the main, and the empty track is the yard A/D.

    Getting closer to a fully complete main, but I've got some family stuff this week, so it'll be a couple weeks before more progress is made.

    [​IMG]
    Track laying progress - Frost River siding installed
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Track laying progress - Frost River siding installed
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Track laying progress - Frost River siding installed
    by Mark, on Flickr
     
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  8. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    Well, real life with work and high school kids has caused me to practically fall off the map for a few months, but as is true with so many of us, the (supposedly) cooling weather brings more time in the train room.

    I *have* been able to make at least some progress, particularly over the past week or two, so here is a bit of an update.

    First, I'm slowly laying track into staging. This is tedious business because I have to do a lot of figuring on getting the tracks to fit, and also on placement of the many various sensors that will be installed for managing the hidden trackage. More detail on that later (soon, I hope), but at least I've been able to lay some roadbed and piece together the beginnings of the yard ladders.

    [​IMG]
    Slow progress
    by Mark, on Flickr

    And also I got the siding for W.T. Young Storage (where the train is standing) installed and operational, which defines where the front of the buildings that will hide staging will be.

    [​IMG]
    Slow progress
    by Mark, on Flickr

    I'm now stalled on staging, waiting for more turnouts and more track, and I've got twenty IR sensors to build up for installation as well.

    Meanwhile, I got three of the industrial tracks installed, with ME Code 40 track.

    Standlee Hay:

    [​IMG]
    Untitled
    by Mark, on Flickr

    84 Lumber:

    [​IMG]
    Untitled
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Untitled
    by Mark, on Flickr

    And the Georgia Pacific "Dixie Cup" plant:

    [​IMG]
    Untitled
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Untitled
    by Mark, on Flickr

    I've also got plans on another video update, which will cover the electrical side of things under the bench, but I want to get at least one of the IR sensors installed in staging, to show how those will work.

    Thanks for watching!!
     
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  9. spiffy trains

    spiffy trains TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice layout. Thanks for the updates.
     
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  10. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    I FINALLY put together another video update. This one covers some of the electronics on the layout. Apologies in advance for the shaky parts.

     
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  11. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Long time no HEY A CHICKEN! Good to see you agai....SQUIRREL!!!!

    Thanks for the updates
     
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  12. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    OK, here's a planning question... I want to have a small (80 scale foot) turntable in engine service. There's a prototype I'm modeling ("inspired by") in Paris, KY. It's not big enough for large steam (which I generally don't run) but will handle even a SD70 or GEVO if necessary, and the engine shops will really only be servicing the older, smaller "local" power anyway.

    I have a couple of different options for where to place the roundhouse, and whether to use an actual roundhouse or a more modern, rectangular diesel shop.

    My favorite so far is this one:

    [​IMG]
    Engine Service Planning
    by Mark, on Flickr

    I can rotate the roundhouse around several degrees either direction, the placement minimizes blockage of working track, and helps to disguise/distract from what's going on with staging trackage behind the main line. Plus, the "front" of the roundhouse would be visible to the aisle, which has much goodness with it.

    Same location with a rectangular shop:

    [​IMG]
    Engine Service Planning
    by Mark, on Flickr

    If I put the shop structure on this side, I can extend "open" storage and fuel/sand/etc. tracks back to the left in front of the yard, while still leaving space for a small yard office, parking, and maybe even some non-railroad structure/scenery.

    The other option is to put the shop to the left...

    [​IMG]
    Engine Service Planning
    by Mark, on Flickr[​IMG]
    Engine Service Planning
    by Mark, on Flickr
    [​IMG]
    Engine Service Planning
    by Mark, on Flickr

    This version creates more scenic separation between the yard scene and the more rural scene around to the right, but the structure then blocks some of the working yard tracks, and I don't think the view is as nice.

    I'm interested in your thoughts, though, pros / cons, other options, etc.
     
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  13. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    The Peco turntable would fight your needs. As for the building, I personally would go for a roundhouse like the first picture.
     
  14. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    It would... except I plan to scratch-build the turntable for the fun of it :)
     
  15. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    Here's Part 7 of the video update series! Enjoy!

     
  16. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    Good news! Frost River Yard is very close to being operational!

    Last night I was able to lay the yard ladder and get the throwbar switches installed. All that is left there is hooking up the feeder wires and fro power. I also laid out the yard tracks in the general locations where they will go. I want to spend some time "fiddling" with the track placement before permanently installing the yard tracks, but they will be functional as soon as I clean the weathering stuff off the rail tops. One of the nice things about using the MicroEngineering track is that it will hold its shape, so I can use it before gluing it down.

    Some pics:

    [​IMG]
    Frost River Yard
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Frost River Yard
    by Mark, on Flickr
     
  17. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    That flopped over hopper just looks so right!

    Am sure enjoying your progress rreports, and seeing the kiddo helping! Nothing like that kind of good help.
     
  18. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    Here's a little side project... I picked up this FRED kit at a recent train show, and finally got it installed. It's battery operated. The fiber optic ... fiber is supposed to stop at the end of the boxcar, but I extended it out to a simple model EOTD device. I colored the fiber black between the car and the EOTD so that it would remain unobtrusive.

    The on/off switch is mounted on the side of the undercarriage. I was going to color it all black but it turns out to be very unobtrusive down there.

    [​IMG]
    FRED!
    by Mark, on Flickr
    (CLICK ME! I'M A VIDEO!!)

    [​IMG]
    FRED!
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    FRED!
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    FRED!
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    FRED!
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    FRED!
    by Mark, on Flickr
     
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  19. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    It's been a while since I posted ... because there hasn't been much going on all summer. I've been taking a bit of a break of the summer to work on other projects. I've got a few things done lately, though...

    First, some electronics... my LocoNet Infrared detector board is working...

    [​IMG]
    LocoNet IR Detector
    by Mark, on Flickr

    I had to order some new RJ11 plugs for the sensor cables, but they will be in tomorrow. Then I can start work on the other three I need.

    Second, I've started on the first scratchbuild of the layout... Standlee Forage..

    [​IMG]
    Standlee Hay progress
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Standlee progress
    by Mark, on Flickr

    Still to go: A foundation, doors, paint, details, etc.

    Here is the prototype:

    [​IMG]
    Standlee Hay
    by Mark, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Standlee Hay
    by Mark, on Flickr

    It's nice to be making progress again, however slow...
     
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  20. fifer

    fifer TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    TD , that is really taking shape and I like the proto's concrete walls.
    Mike
     
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