Rainier Great Western Const Update

RGW Feb 19, 2007

  1. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    How could you tell the truck was bad? I've got a couple that like to take off cross-country every now and then.
     
  2. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    I'd have to ask Rey, and I will, but he ran some tests over certain areas of the layout and determined the sideframe was riding high. This allowed the truck to drift rather than follow the rail. He then found something via Google that this was not an isolated problem.
     
  3. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    I would appreciate it Michael, thanks!
     
  4. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    If you Google "Athearn sideframe warp" you'll find articles
     
  5. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    Will do, thanks!
     
  6. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Quick shout out to my main track man Ed who came over tonight on his own to fix an issue we found on the east end of the Molzahn Bridge. All so we can operate next Tuesday without issue, what a guy. Thx!
     
  7. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    For those with Sideframe issues, here is my car guy Rey's response:

    "I can lightly rock the assembled truck over the center axle. Looking at the back of the plastic truck frame, and placing a straight edge along the axle holes, I can see that the middle hole is lower.

    Also, I found that this was common enough that there are internet articles about this:

    http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/147830.aspx

    http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/184614/2018893.aspx

    http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/7035

    http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,2323634

    This has been a problem with 3 axle trucks forever. I think there is a natural tendency for either metal or plastic sideframes to warp upwards when they try to mold them too fast.

    Another problem could be that the central gearbox is slightly twisted or the side-frame mounting posts are bent, or if the parts aren't inserted correctly, so the truck assembly rocks diagonally. Then the high wheel will lift over the rail on the outside of a curve, especially when the track isn't level side to side. The truck can be over-twisted in the opposite direction to correct this problem in many cases.

    I saw one trick that could work; make the 1st and 3rd axles 42" diameter wheels and the 2nd axle a 40" diameter wheels!

    Some people will remove the center axle on diesels and passenger cars. This is similar to having flange-less wheels on the center drivers of steam locomotives.

    Another problem I've seen and fixed is that the truck can't roll side to side enough to follow rock-and-roll track. Basically I do the same thing to locos as I do to freight car trucks - make sure that one truck is free to roll, and roll in both directions from level.

    The snap-on worm gear cap also doubles as the truck retainer. There are 2 prong extensions that stick out from one end of that cap. There is often excess plastic flash on the bottom of those 2 extensions or it is just too tight. Or sometimes the top of the truck is not flat, is too high, or has flash at the kingpin hole. Sometimes the bottom of the engine frame is not milled to the right thickness.

    But over-correction can leave the truck so floppy that it can slip off the kingpin when you lift the engine off the track."

    Hope this helps. M
     
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  8. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    We're running trains again tonight...

     
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  9. Philip H

    Philip H TrainBoard Member

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    that's a neat little slice of heavan right there. I think I have fly fished under that bridge.
     
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  10. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice Michael. Looking forward to some more videos!
     
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  11. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    A teaser from Saturday's open house. The Renton Rocket delivering a fuselage to the Boeing Plant. More to come in the next day or so. M
     
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  12. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Here are some stills taken just before the open house. It might be months before it's this clean again, so figured I should get them taken.

    The high bridge.

    [​IMG]

    Black Diamond:

    [​IMG]

    Edwards and Bradford lumber:

    [​IMG]

    Franklin:

    [​IMG]
     
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  13. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    More pre show pics.

    Boeing:

    [​IMG]

    Henrys:

    [​IMG]

    Maple Valley:

    [​IMG]

    Renton Yard RIP shed:

    [​IMG]

    Still working on a video that will run a train from Pasco to Seattle. Finished the filming and production editing last night with my junior engineer Bradley. Tonight is work party night, but I'm going to try and add the narration so I can get it uploaded to YouTube. Thanks for checking in. M
     
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  14. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice Michael! I can't wait to get mine up to this stage! But that's the fun part!!!
     
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  15. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Ok Guys, here it is, a video of a complete run around the RGW. I have included a link in the description of our track plans "per level" for your reference. Enjoy. M

     
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  16. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Lots of work this past Tuesday, most of it centered around clearance issues. We've put down a lot of scenery since we last operated the layout, so sure enough we found a few cars that would catch foliage, rock outcroppings and even a spot inside our hidden peninsula tracks.

    To fix the hidden track issue, we decided the most expedient fix was to create another view portal. As many of you know we have one on the east end of the peninsula, now we have another on the north side.

    [​IMG]

    This track will get a backdrop and complete ballasting, but otherwise it now runs without issue. We used our favorite tool, the rotozip to cut the opening.

    We also intend to create another portal on the South side, this one for the single track upper line.

    Still processing more video, so watch for those.
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2016
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  17. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    A blasted out tunnel innerd would look great there!
     
  18. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Example?
     
  19. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    Ask Tom, I bet he could describe it pretty good. Bet he's been thru plenty in Colorado.
     
  20. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    Well, you asked for it.....LOL
    Use a piece of tinted dark plexi to create the illusion of darkness in the tunnel. Mounted on the front of the fascia board. This would not cause further clearance issues. On the back wall you could cover it to simulate broken rock, ballast the floor. Between the tracks could be a water channel for drainage with some standing water. That would be my vision.
     

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