Stuff: Different topics,
Round house track additions.
DCC output voltage.
DC engine on DCC track.
Measuring engine 'pulling power'.
Circuit breaker problems.
New Haven I-5 4-6-4 hybrid by BLI.
Lubricating engines.
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Neighborhood kids did some more 'train running' Ran the 2 new engines: NH I-5 4-6-4 and UP E6 A-B-B.
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Round house track additions.
Electrified 4 roundhouse tracks at Seattle.
Parked a UP big boy (Key model) that was on the 'ready' track to one of the 'stalls' The engine just fits on the Walthers 130' turntable.
The other 3 added:
UP FEF-3 4-8-4 Cast metal superstructure by BLI.
UP 4-6-6-4 early challenger hybrid by BLI.
UP 4-12-2 hybrid by BLI.
'Parked' a CP royal Hudson 4-6-4 (Tenshodo) and a Milwaukee bipolar by MTH (cast metal superstructure with remote pantographs) on the ready tracks.
With 2 of the tracks occupied, only one access to the turntable. The other 2 engines on the 'ready' track are a GN R-2 2-8-8-2 (Tenshodo) and a GN N-3 2-8-8-0 (Tenshodo); both heavily weighted with lead.
I built that coaling tower when I was around 15 from a MR article. Back then, one made your own windows, railings and walkway!
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DCC output voltage:
Checked the output voltage on my Digitrax command station and boosters. Contact on the center post and both A and B terminal to get DC reading and add the two for power output.
7.68 volts X 2 = 15.36 volts.
Thought I'd check what the voltage output is for O/G.
Not much more than for 'HO' but my input power source maybe limiting that voltage?
The command station has the 'standard' Digitrax power source whereas the 4 boosters gets the 20 amp power source.
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DC engine on DCC track.
Video running a DC engine on address zero on DCC at max throttle; again, probably limited by the max input voltage going into the command station.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrFK6-XqMGs
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Measuring engine 'pulling power'.
Since, previously, I measure the 'resistance' of pulling different strings of freight cars, need some 'stats' on engines.
GN R-2 2-8-8-2 (Tenshodo) heavy weighted.
A respectable 7.2 ounces.
A CP Royal Hudson 4-6-4 (Tenshodo)
Only 3.3 ounces.
A UP FEF-3 4-8-4 (BLI with cast metal boiler and traction tires).
WOW; 12.8 ounces.
UP E6 A-B-B (BLI with 2 units powered. No traction tires but very heavy)
A very good 6.5 ounces.
Next, test the 'real' pulling power with a train plus going up the 0.5% grade.
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Circuit breaker problems.
When a short appears, my circuit breakers would isolate the problem to one district.
Now, when I short a district...
the short affects other districts. Needs some investigation. I'm thinking that, with low humidity, some 'gaps in the rail may have closed between two districts.
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New Haven I-5 4-6-4 hybrid by BLI.
Tender hatch opens to access sound volume 'pot'.
In previous pictures only showed the 'fire mans' side of the engine. This side has some very nice 'piping'.
Including nice 'connecting' hoses.
Actually read the 'function key' chart! A lot of 'sound' options that I didn't realize BLI had.
I tried the F9 for 'momentum' to simulate a heave train starting and it took forever for the train to gain 'speed'.
Did more research into the 3 times that BLI has issued this engine.
These pictures are the current release.
Tender has brass contacts to the wheels.
Side rods are thin metal and looks like 'stamped' metal.
Back drivers have traction tires and no screws holding the leading/trailing truck frames.
The first run (Museum quality all brass engine). Things that I've noticed on this engine not on the current run.
Canvas 'skirting' on the cab, cab interior dials painted. Side rods are thicker.
Safety chains on the tender trucks.
No brass contacts to the wheels.
Screws to secure lead/trailing truck side frames. A 'sound' cam on the back driver.
The engine I purchase appears to be from a 2nd run that kept most of what was on the 'Museum quality' brass engine.
Things left off of my run: cam on driver, canvas skirting, painted cab dials and painted trailing truck.
Looking at BLI's list of 'discontinued items', my engine is just above the 'Museum' listing so, maybe, both of these were imported at the same time. I tried research dates but nada.
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Lubricating engines.
The manual suggested oiling all moving parts on the UP E6 A-B-B. Did same on the NH I-5.
My older engines get the same about once a year.
Well, about time to go watch the 'super bowl'.