Great Northern railway

HEY, it works!

A friend was gracious enough to loan me his digitrax system and I connected it my layout.  As mentioned, previously, I set up one of the four DC blocks to be able to switch to DCC or DC.  I put all the blocks to DCC and ran a DCC engine from one yard to the other a distance of 400' going through 12 different blocks.  The whistle was blown often to test to see that the engine was receiving a signal along the full length of the railroad, through all blocks and at the end of blocks: all worked well    

I'm guessing no problems due to all the wiring that was need for the PFM sound system.

The track is all hand laid so  rail is in 3' lengths and a jumper wire is soldered between each length of rail.  Plus more than one set of wires had to be run to each block to get the PFM chuffing to work effectively over the entire mainline.

I ran the engine into the yard, flipped the toggle to yard DC power and ran the engine to the roundhouse. 

I haven't checked out the NCE system yet. 

I like the digitrax with a knob for speed as that's what I've been using for 70 odd years.   I run all steam (plus electric) so, for the most part, all I need is whistle and bell.  I can control two engines easily with one remote.  Just turn one of the two knobs and the remote, immediately, gives you control of that engine.  Press the dial twice and it reverses direction and puts an arrow indicating direction. 

The system is very easy to connect to the railroad: two wires from the power source into the main station and two more wires from the station to the tracks.

The engine tested was a BLI GN S-2.  The engine automatically knows if the track is DC or DCC and runs accordingly.

I need to find out if engine receivers are also that sophisticated as I want to be able to run the engine into the roundhouse on DC power.  Also, I want to be able to run the DCC engines on DC. 

I've got way to many engines so it's not practical (also financial)  to convert all of them.  I'm figuring 10 or so converted to DCC having full sound functions.

Also, During operating sessions, railroaders may have engines but no layout and they can bring their engines over to run on the GNRW.

Sounds great Sam! Congrats!~

Thanks, Mike.

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Sam I have the MRC But never tried to run 2 locos at the same time, but I did have to buy the 8am booster to run O gauge!

Mike,

I'll probably also buy the 8 amp as it doesn't cost that much more: more power is good.

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New improved tonnage ratings for the motive power!

Got some more PM done on the lower yard.

A friend talked me into using new steel wheels (intermountain) so a lot of cars got new wheel sets.  I also had a lot of kadee wheel sets.  Will need to buy more.

The wheel sets definitely make the car roll better.  Also, nice 'wheel sounds' when the train passes.

The old:

And the new:

Did some DCC testing with a full train.

GN S-2 4-8-4 at Steven's pass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy2gX47mqyU  

GN S-2 at Chumstick canyon trestle:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjTBA9apMWo

GN S-2 at Everett (camera battery died on this last video):

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOKlwb3GQGU

Last of the DCC testing for digitrax.

Going through one double cross over, the engine had a momentary short (overload lights came on my panel for a 'blink of the eye') but, I'm guessing, the decoder has a capacitor to keep the train running. 

Videos:

UP 8500 turbine at Tye.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTMQK9Gf-ZA   

UP 8500 turbine at Hillyard:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd0EvVIojA4

Replacing wheel sets.

Have to watch on putting 'insulated' side of both wheel sets in the truck when they are metal.  

Also, had two metal trucks where the metal sides of the new wheels were, occasionally, shorting out by touching the sides of the metal truck.

The bulk of my trucks are all plastic. 

I had a lot of, what I believe, Walthers wheel sets (brass axles with plastic wheels) that I put on a few decades ago and were still 'rolling' well and didn't have to replace them.

A lot of the replaced wheels had rusty axles.

I find it best to replace versus using any oil as that will 'only gum up the works, over time'.  Dry graphite is a good substitute but I just stick with new axles with no lubricant.  

Nice video,  I sure like watching the UP running around! Thanks Sam. I hope you got all your problems fixed!

Thanks, Mike.

There's always something to do.

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More PM of the layout.

After PM'ing some of the cars in Seattle, it was time to give them a test on the mainline.  Three derailed immediately leaving the yard, crossing a double crossover and they went onto the bench.  The rest of the mainline everything worked great.

Used an SP AC-5 cab forward to test the cars.

Figure I might as well video it while testing!

SP AC-5 at Skykomish: By accident, I have a car about 2/3rds into the train where it sounds like a prototypical flat wheel on one of the cars.  The light at the back top of the engine was for the fireman to check, at night, the exhaust to see how efficient his fire was doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2zs2Z3cPCQ  

SP AC-5 at Tye:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqSBKyS-GeQ   

SP AC-5 at Chumstick canyon trestle:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRkX8lsBYww

SP AC-5 at Steven's pass:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAqZci_c6JE

SP AC-5 entering St. Paul's freight yard: The St Paul's yard is not as long as Seattle's yard thus, the train exceeds yard length but the drill track is long enough that the switcher at the end of the drill track can get to the back of the train.    The train crosses a double slip switch installed to save space in the yard (the only turnout that I bought as it was easier to buy a slip switch versus making one!).

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lRoWUSqcMA

SP AC-9 leaving Seattle's freight yard: Very short 'clip' of SP AC-9 leaving Seattle's freight yard. The engine wasn't functioning right so the SP AC-5 was it's 'backup'!  

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-S93Md3fA8

Nice N&W video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGdrtAk_7F8

More PM using the 3rd throttle.

I like having the bulbs as backups to the CB's as they provide a quick reference that there is a short, plus the throttle's CB doesn't 'pop'.

I think I've figured out how to easily break the DCC mainline into blocks without actually doing it.  If a short occurs, I'll just turn off the existing DC block toggles that the DCC routes through until the short is eliminated.  I see no easy way to easily break up the mainline into DCC blocks and still have the option to also switch to DC without adding a lot of extra toggles.

More videos:

DM&IR 2-8-8-4 yellowstone crossing Chumstick canyon trestle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ajwlZbrlH0   

D&RGW 4-6-6-4 challenger at Hillyard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grLOS_KrlTw

New delivery.

200 sets of brass wheel sets from intermountain and 50 more 0402 LED's in warm white.

Get the rest of those freight cars updated.

Also, NMRA, clasic toy trains and model aviation mags came in

Memory lane!

While putting new wheel sets on the freight cars in Seattle, it was fun looking at 'reefers' that are no longer made.

Some of these cars date back to the 60's.

A very nice wood kit:

Just a plastic car but, I think, train miniature (TM) but unusual.

While I did use up all but 20 wheel sets of the 200 that just came in, when the

wheels roll a foot without pushing the car where it started at the uncoupling ramp (see following picture), it's hard to justify replacing them.  The axles and wheels are, virtually, new.   A few decades ago, I purchase a 'ton' of replacement trucks, but, over time, the ones that used to roll freely, needed the intermountain wheel sets.

I remember when TM came out with these 'state of maine' cars.  Each hobby shop only had a few of them so I had to go to several HS to get the set that I wanted.

I always thought it looked cool having a 'string of them' in a train.

Another old wood kit with a beer that only our grandfathers remember!

I only remember Nestles!

A metal sided reefer by Varney.

Even has a coupler that, I think, predates Kadee (the two do work together).

Another old metal sided Varney car.

Well, all cars in the Seattle yard are converted.  Now to test them in the yard and on the mainline.

First test worked for one string of cars.  A GN C-1 0-8-0 switcher pushing 47 cars into the yard.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA6tA3pbwaw      

Not exactly scale speed through the yard but, still, a good test!

 Sam, if you have any DCC questions feel free to ask. Ive got some experience in that area as i work a lot in HO and do lots of DCC & sound installs

10 minute video of the most dangerous or extreme railroads in the world:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV79eObat24

Thanks, Matt.

Tomorrow morning, I'm going over to a railroader's house to 'pick his brain' on the digitrax that he uses.  Next, I want to visit a railroad that uses NCE.

What do you use and 'likes'/'dislikes'?

samparfitt posted:

Memory lane!

While putting new wheel sets on the freight cars in Seattle, it was fun looking at 'reefers' that are no longer made.

Some of these cars date back to the 60's.

A very nice wood kit:

Just a plastic car but, I think, train miniature (TM) but unusual.

 

While I did use up all but 20 wheel sets of the 200 that just came in, when the

wheels roll a foot without pushing the car where it started at the uncoupling ramp (see following picture), it's hard to justify replacing them.  The axles and wheels are, virtually, new.   A few decades ago, I purchase a 'ton' of replacement trucks, but, over time, the ones that used to roll freely, needed the intermountain wheel sets.

 

I remember when TM came out with these 'state of maine' cars.  Each hobby shop only had a few of them so I had to go to several HS to get the set that I wanted.

I always thought it looked cool having a 'string of them' in a train.

 

Another old wood kit with a beer that only our grandfathers remember!

 

I only remember Nestles!

 

 

A metal sided reefer by Varney.

 

Even has a coupler that, I think, predates Kadee (the two do work together).

 

Another old metal sided Varney car.

 

Well, all cars in the Seattle yard are converted.  Now to test them in the yard and on the mainline.

 

First test worked for one string of cars.  A GN C-1 0-8-0 switcher pushing 47 cars into the yard.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA6tA3pbwaw      

Not exactly scale speed through the yard but, still, a good test!

 

 

Sam, you sure know how to put a smile on a guys face! Just seeing the cars and the story to go along with it sure makes for a happy man! Lucky you!

I use the ESU system and love it but I'd choose the NCE over Digitrax

Thanks, Mike.

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Guess I have a few things to learn as I haven't heard of the ESU system.

Trying to gather data on each before purchasing.

Got back from a railroader (see next post for pictures of his layout) that uses digitrax on his N gauge layout.

He said that a common ground and running also with DC may create problems.

The first thing  I did, when I got home, was run a DCC engine while operating the yards with the DC throttle and all works well.

A nice mod:

The remotes need to have the 9 volt battery removed after each operating session.  A big hassle but Bob cut a slit in the back of the remote and then slides a piece of plastic between one contact to break the connection.

Digitrax also doesn't recommend rechargeable 9 volt batteries because they only charge to about 7 volts.  He used NIMH (nickle metal hydride) which charges to 9.6volts (I used NIMH batteries in my RC airplanes).

Location to get telephone connectors to make extension cords.

A booster  (PTB100) is, sometimes, required when programming an engine.

Interface from you PC to digitrax.

Location to get kit connectors for decoders:

Just cut off for how many wires, needed.

Female end:

Male end.

Some pictures of Bob's N&W N gauge layout.

An island type layout.  The track they make for N scale is very impressive.

Code 55 and spikes on each rail.  No 'pizza' cutter flanges on these cars.

I believe he said he started in 2006 and use to be in HO scale.

PM'ing layout.

I've run a good dozen trains up and down the mainline and a D&RGW L-105 challenger came off the track at two locations.  After checking the track, both places had too wide of a gauge and the drivers were falling between the rails. 

Amazing how several different engines plus about 400 different freight cars have passed these two location without any problems.  Either the engine's gauge is a little narrow or the tire width is more to 'scale' ie, narrower than my other engines!

Used this DCC engine to test while running DC in the yard to insure no interference between the two. 

Matt,

Thursday, I go see a railroader with NCE.

Give me your view on the pro/con's of digitrax and NCE.

thanks,

Sam

Sam, I am starting to think your a little confused between PM and the fun of running Trains! Don't  take me wrong I think its a great excuse! But come on Fun is Fun! SO lets call it what it is! FUN RUNNING TRAINS! LOL

Mike,

When I had a lot of problems on the railroad during the last operating session, it wasn't fun.  But now that I've diagnosed what the problems are and fixing them, it's a lot of fun, plus I like video taping while operating the trains.   I'm sure glad that I've got that 'topside creeper' as that out of gauge track was 5' high and 3' back from the edge of the layout.   It's easily paying for itself.

I know Sam, I just had to pull your leg! I love the videos also! Please keep posting! Most of it is my neck of the woods anyways!

Some videos of Bob Lawson's layout that, previously, I showed pictures of that is one of the most detailed layouts that I've ever visited.

Videos are from the engineers viewpoint:

Tons of detail: people, vehicles, telephone wires, etc.  The passenger cars interiors are even detailed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...DQz_j9UnU&t=109s  

pictorial view of his river scene video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlRbJnMofRI

Pictorial view of railroad video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c9qTOcLu4c&t=49s

All better again.

Using a friend's digitrax, I was re-addressing my three DCC engines.

The first two went great (The two BLI GN S-2's).  The third was a disaster (scaletrains UP 8500 turbine).   After putting in the new address, nothing moved. 

Another friend came over with his laptop JMRI software and checked out the turbine.  After reading the manual (who does that!), it said best to update the decoder on the programming track and do each unit, one at a time (of the 3 units).

Well, we had a good time as he brought over some of his DCC engines so we ran trains, video taped them, told 'railroad' stories, had pizza and, also, fixed the turbine.  All three units have their own decoder: I was surprised the tender had a

decoder: just for the tender light.   Separate decoders is nice: no wires between units.

All's good again in the GN world   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be  

On Thursday, I put my order in for digitrax and it should be here on Monday.

bummer:

UPS tracking says the package is at their main facility, only about 7 miles from my house

but UPS doesn't deliver on week ends so, not until Monday.

Nice video Sam, But sometimes don't you hate having tracking numbers, just to see what your waiting for is just down the road. I know sometimes I wish I could just go get it, but nobody is there!

Sam, I’m going out hunting and I’m at breakfast right now so if I don’t get back to you shoot me an email, address is in my profile

New delivery.

Now that's fast.  Order the digitrax from Tony's in Vermont at noon on Thursday and they said it would get to me on Tuesday via UPS.  UPS delivered it around 2 PM on Saturday (didn't know they had Saturday deliveries without paying an additional charge). 

Got everything connected and all is working well.  cool.

The only problem I had was having to read the instructions (bummer).

Didn't have the power going to the transceiver panel.

Have to plug the throttles into the transceiver panel to get them to operate remotely.

 Only ran the engine a few feet, so far.

Need to start walking around to see if there are any 'dead' spots.

The 10 lb box.  The smaller box are some RC airplane parts that were delivered at the same time.

Lots of parts.

Besides the main starter set, got reverse loop system, switch machine system to automatically throw the reverse loop switches, programming booster, PC interface, a Wow 101 steam decoder and 10' of decoder wire.

Command station.

UR92 duplex transceiver panel.

No room to store duplex, wireless throttles near the main dispatchers panel so mounted them on the other side of the steps. 

One transceiver panel seems to be enough.

I walked all over the basement and the whistles kept working the entire time

WOW Sam, you sure do move fast! Looks great I hope everything work as good as they looks!

More testing of mainline, cars and new DCC.

Turbine pulling Seattle cars full length of mainline to and back from St. Paul.

One car came off and another came off with pizza size metal wheels (both on bench).

Nice detail on the turbine:

walkway lights for crew.

Lighted steps for crew.  Marker lights from white, red and green selection.

Might as well take pictures while testing the GNRW.

A few freight cars with 'not so common' railroads.

Another train test using a GN S-2 4-8-4 #2586.

Testing using GN S-2 #2587, eastbound.

One thing about pictures, they let you know where your mistakes are!

Some telephoto. With my cheap camera, if the train is moving, I need to have the flash on but they don't come as well as 'non-flash'.

Thanks, Mike,

Being retired, I can get a lot done.

This morning after putting up 3 new lights in my daughters dog grooming business,

I started on the DCC and testing it and now it's 7:30 PM: been so busy, (mostly having too much fun) that I forgot to eat today.

Sam, I am so glad thing in the most part are running good for you! You will really enjoy DCC on your layout!

A new day.

Nice defaults on the digitrax.

Went to the basement to test more cars and the remotes shut down after 20 minutes of inactivity plus no need to re-connect, physically, with the transceiver panel (which is mounted on the ceiling and would be a hassle to reconnect for each operating session), eliminating a need for a second panel at 'ground' level.

Set up the drill (spur) track to handle DCC. 

Needed another toggle to route DCC to the drill track since the  'mainline' toggle only provides power to the yard.   The drill track is a 20' long track running to the yard yet doesn't interfere with the mainline track.

Ordering some basic decoders for the switchers.  Figure I don't need a bunch of chuffing when using the switchers. I've got enough switchers that I can have some DCC and others DC. 

With the DCC installed, only the roundhouse will not be DCC powered. 

The supplied coupler on the UP turbine does not uncouple from the kadee couplers on an uncoupling ramp so a kadee coupler was added.  The uncoupling ramps are beyond arm's reach to do manually.

So much for that idea!

Scaletrains left the safety chains not connected to the trucks so the engine can negotiate sharp curves.  Having 48" minimum, I thought I'd attach them.  

Those little hooks are plastic and very fragile and it just snapped off.  A hole would have to be drilled and a hook made out of brass wire would have to be used.

Glad to see you got it set up Sam! Also nice to see you think out of the box for your hook fix!