How long is the tunnel? If in a pipe, and ever there was some trouble, could you easily reach inside to retrieve or make repairs?
Tunnels will be about 3 feet in length. Or about as long as 2 coal hoppers. Should be able to reach the center, from either end. Don't want anything too long. Just long enough to provide operational interest. And help break things up a bit, when viewed from sidewalk/street. No pipe. A 12 inch by 20 foot roll goes for around $150. Don't need more than 6 feet! And maybe another, along the side, by the AC unit, so folks can get past, without accidentally stepping on track! That will probably be done with landscape timbers. Gotta get things finished first! Next, is waiting for weather to make up its mind!! Cold, rain, snow all week. No work outside for a while!
Worked on the Aristo RS3 much of last night! Was having issues with getting a new Crest Revolution throttle to link with original receiver in locomotive. New receiver linked right away! Also had big issues getting the long hood back on. Thought it was the large bundle of wires, from the stock electronics board. Turns out, it was actually the speaker that was putting unnecessary pressure on original receiver!! Pulled speaker, long hood installed perfectly! Pulled the unit outside Tuesday, for a test run. Discovered I had lost ALL track power for reasons unknown! Retired from power supply, to track, with different track connections, and things worked! Was able to run briefly, before going in for dinner, back out to check my track, and shortly after that, Curse of Oak Island. Gotta figure something out now, as it takes up to 13% power, before the locomotive even thinks about moving! Want to pull trucks and do a good, deep clean! Toss them into the ultra sonic for a while! Maybe spray out the inside of the motors. Or replace trucks with something from USA Trains, if something will fit! And picked up another 30 bricks for tunnel project! Had Mom along to help! She needed to get out for a bit as it was! Paying for it now, since I’m in a world of hurt! But, worth the trouble! Weather was decent.
Weather was fantastic up here, too. 71 degrees! If the speaker was causing the assembly problems, did you have to remove it, or just adjust it?
Pulled the speaker out completely. Was putting pressure on the receiver. Original receiver is actually bowed slightly from the excess pressure put on it by the speaker! Not sure if that ruined it or not! Couldn’t get it to respond the the throttle. Need to find a different speaker. One that is hopefully weatherproof! And maybe find a way to adjust volume!
Aww, comon, you don't want to wake up the neighbors with the sweet song of an Alco 244 prime mover in notch 8 at 3AM?
Wouldn’t bother me! But, when neighbors halfway down the street can hear it.....? Might be a bit concerned. My folks might not be to happy either! However, if this thing smoked as bad as the real deal........Could keep the bugs away in the evening anyway! Could drive the skeeters away! Dont think I need to be dealing with the cops either. Might not be able to get dialysis as needed!!
Recieved my order of 8 USA Trains turnouts, 4 right, 4 left. Spent much of yesterday, redesigning the back. Improving reverse loop operations. Still need to splice in track as needed, and get everything connected, and place insulated joiners! Then, I can start working on a few of the turnouts in front, that are causing me a few issues! Hope to be done and running by July. Hoping to have the railroad open to railroad club members July 19/20. Anyone close enough, that's interested, is invited to stop by! Didn't realize, with my health situation, how bad simple projects darn near kill me!! Updated photos of back, when I get a chance. Storms slated for the weekend, so I've heard! Now, if the bridge rectifiers I ordered, would hurry up, I can get my Rio Grande NW-2 calf unit finished! Just gotta tap into power wires, to rectifier, then to Airwire board! Same with my DRGW Heritage MAC, so I can get lighting to work properly! And after I replace most of my headlights!
Spent last couple of days, rewiring my GP30's. Either replacing what was burned during derailment, or adding jumper wires in, to spread power pick up between units. Was having issues at a few switches, with locomotives stopping. Think those that stopped, had wiring issues. Now, if I run all 4 units, I can plug them together, and spread electrical pickup between all 4 units. Spent about 2 hours tonight, playing/experimenting. With all 4 units plugged together, they ran perfect! Just gotta make a couple of adapters - Male/Male and Female/Female, so I can run any direction, any spot. and not have to worry if plugs don't match! Next up, finish track work in back and start replacing switches in front. IF something that seems so simple, doesn't kill me!
Got most of the backyard track finished! Just need to splice in 1 switch yet, and get at least 3 track clamp connections made, for power. Clean track, and I’m ready to experiment! If not too bad tomorrow, I may try to finish. Started getting cold as I finished up what I managed to get done today! Looking good. Hope it works as well as it looks! Minor “S” curve, but the way I’m set, it’s unavoidable. But, it’s a 10 foot diameter, so I shouldn’t have too many problems. May get photos while waiting for dinner to arrive!
Photos of progress. Looking to the south. Shiny track is new! Looking to the north. Switches by block wall are to become an eventual yard, 4 tracks. Later project. Yes, switch controls are upside down for now. Trying to keep weather OUT of them, until I can get them mounted. Want to try and mount them in weather proof boxes, like I did with reverse loop toggle. Keep them out of the elements, but still visible, dry and easily accessible..
A bit of wiring, and a couple of minor issues. But, managed to get my NW-2 to successfully run around the loop. Couple of minor contact issues, but easily fixed next time! Weather coming in this week, so I might not be doing anything! A few minor issues, bu t overall, satisfied with results! GP30’s and train next time!
First section of curve, right off the retailer, is going to be swapped for a switch later, as yard lead, for a small yard to go in later. Train may be stopped, to maybe drop off, or pick up cars from yard. My narrow gauge stuff could be a problem, but until I can check it out, I won’t know! Hoping to possibly acquire a 1/20.3 narrow gauge 3 truck shay!! Have a friend, who can help with shimming the drivers of the K27, once things clear up better, virus wise.
Got last set of clamps/power connection made. Also swapped a set of power connections I did wrong! Lights and toggle switch were backward to how originally wired! Pulled the GP30’s out and made a test run. Ran pretty good. But, have a slight hitch going through switches. Think it’s the power pick up sliders catching on frog pint. Gonna pull the sliders and try again! Other than lifting and leveling track, things seem to run pretty good!
A bit of work today. Spent part of the latre afternoon working in back. Got insulated rail joiners replaced with insulated clamps. Still have 1 set to do. Need to make slight trim to a curve. Have a 1/4 inch gap otherwise. Could probably leave, but could be a source of derailments! Also added a fair amount of granite to the track, to at least get it level! As well as the switch and switch machine! Still need to get other siding to back aligned and spliced in as needed. Next, will be at least 1 switch to the back, that pulled apart at the insulated joiners. And one in front, that's causing issues. At least when I try to run the GM U25. Keeps derailing in places. Need to see if I can put more weight BACK into it! Had to take weight out, when sound added. Speaker in fuel tank, where weight was.
Ran the ALCo with 3 passenger cars tonight, about 3 hours! Wanted to try running them through the recently installed USA switches. Didn't happen! Locomotive didn't want to run right, and I didn't feel like getting my sanding pole out and cleaning the track! Maybe tomorrow. Gotta swap wheel in the Aristo Pullman, see if they will run through the USA switches. That 1 car does NOT like the Aristo switches. Even with Kadee wheels added. Might try adding a little more weight, to help the trucks equalize better. Might help, might not. See what tomorrow brings.
