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"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.

Post your non-O scale stuff here!

New deliveries.

BLI Rock Island E6A A-A set.

I like the colors on these engines so I bought them.

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 01Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 02

The left one has a QSI decoder and the right one has a Paragon 2 decoder.

Unfortunately, the QSI starts up faster so I made some changes to the CV's but no change, which seems peculiar?



Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 03

The QSI decoder.  To reduce the start up speed:

1)  I put in a 'log curve' plus added 'slow start 5 (greatest curvature).

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 04

2) I inputted 'regulated throttle control' which should make the engine act as if it has a 'load' (pulling a string of cars).

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 05

3)  I had Decoderpro read the decoder and I selected below 'decoder family' and 'decoder model': Actually, I did this first!

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 06

On the Paragon 2 engine.

1)  I selected 'standard throttle control'  to have quick starts.

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 07

2) I selected 0 for 'motor startup delay'.

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 08

3)  I selected 'high end' motor curve to start the motor without any delay.

None of these worked on either engine, which doesn't make sense?

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 09

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Purchased an empty box for future use as I have a PFM logging engine in a box that has printed paper on the outside of the box.

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Last edited by samparfitt

Ross club meeting pictures.

Videos:
NP A-3 4-8-4 freight drag at Skykomish (Brass hybrid imported by BLI in 2020):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLT0ljkdD70

NP A-3 at Marias Pass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG_pQWxu9q0

GN R-2 2-8-8-2 at Havre.  Made by Tenshodo in 1972.  Re-geared and re-motored. TCS 1517 decoder with headlight (engine/tender), marker lights, running board lights, cab light and fire box glow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM-izVORWoE

Erie Triplex 2-8-8-8-2.  imported by MTH in 2010. Cast metal boiler/tender.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHzgG7pBBy4

Meeting.

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Operating.

NP A-3 at Seattle's roundhouse.

ross club May 17 2022 02ross club May 17 2022 03

NP A-3 at Hillyard.

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NP A-3 at Havre.

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NP A-3 at Tumwater canyon trestle.

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GN R-2 2-8-8-2 at Seattle's freight yard.

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Erie triplex 2-8-8-8-2 departing Seattle's yard.

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GN R-2 at Hillyard's water tower.

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Meet at Havre.

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Erie at Havre.

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Thanks, Bill.

The new Walther's turntable is outstanding.  Very easy to set up and all automatic.

======================

Rock Island E6 A-A units all 'fixed'.

Since the two units were made in different years with one having an old QSI decoder and the other a Paragon 2 decoder the two engines were not starting at the same 'rate'.

I contacted the BLI tech and he gave me some good advice to reset the decoder as the decoder may be locked via CV 16.

I removed the shell so I could access the glass reed switch located at the front of the decoder. 

One is suppose to be able to reset it while the shell is on but I wasn't sure where the switch was, exactly.

I small magnet is provided and put on the switch and then power is turned on and the decoder will say 'reset'.

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 10

The front coupler screw goes into the top shell so it has to be removed to remove the shell from the frame.

Then there are the usual 4 tabs on the sides to spread apart for removal.

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 11

The glass reed switch at the front of the decoder.

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The magnet.

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 13

Not sure if CV 16 was locked or I failed to notice to 'click' on the 'Quantum Speed Table' (user defined speed table) located above the 'speed table'.   

I could have done some more 'experimenting' to find the 'problem' but, everything was now working and I didn't want to 'screw it up'.

I put a 'log curve' in the QSI decoder and that worked.



Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 14

Both engines now run at the same speed.

One small problem is, when stopping, the Paragon 2 engine takes a couple more seconds to completely stop; I can 'live' with that!

I tried 2 adjustments.

1) Disabled 'motor loading' on the Paragon 2 but nada.

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 15

2) same results on reducing 'motor load power filter' to 1 from 6.

Rock Island E6A A-A BLI 16

Function 5 turned on the Mars light.

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INDY Junction 2022:  NMRA Division meet in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 19-22.

Only 114 miles from my house.

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Contest room.

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HO gauge.

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N gauge.  A very nice modular layout.

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1st of 2 'stuff for sale' rooms.

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Very nice O gauge stuff.

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Impressive.  I built all my turnouts, save one: I bought my slip switch!

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We had these guys give a presentation at one of our Div 7 meetings several years ago.

They'll let you ride with them.

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A rare picture of 'moi'.

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S gauge.

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2nd room.

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Last edited by samparfitt

New deliveries:

NH EP-5 electric, Xuron cutters, Dremel collets and new book.

These electrics are pretty small so they only pull about 10-15 cars so, being Memorial day and 'specials', I bought a 2nd electric.   These have motorized pantographs.

New Haven EP-5 electric Rapido engine 2nd 01

New Haven EP-5 electric Rapido engine 2nd 02

New Haven EP-5 electric Rapido engine 2nd 03

The first one that I bought several weeks ago arrived in 'good shape'.

This one had 3 items that needed to be reattached.

Both front windows were in the box.  I didn't use any CA on them and, hopefully, they 'stay in place'.

One of the number boards (to the left in the picture) was CA'ed.  I put some CA on a toothpick to insure very little was on the part before gluing it to the body.

New Haven EP-5 electric Rapido engine 2nd 04

One air tank fell off and the other was loose.  Used CA to secure these.

New Haven EP-5 electric Rapido engine 2nd 05

Decoderpro used.  Made this engine the same number (address wise) as the first engine.

New Haven EP-5 electric Rapido engine 2nd 06

Both of these sets of motive power need to be 'road tested'.

New Haven EP-5 electric Rapido engine 2nd 07

===============

Good price from Amazon.

Xuron cutters 01

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Was missing some 'different size' Dremel collets so bought this set.  Also, from Amazon.

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Again, from Amazon.  Used books are pretty cheap: especially train books.

Northern Pacific book 01

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Images (10)
  • New Haven EP-5 electric Rapido engine 2nd 01
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Last edited by samparfitt

Great Northern Railway operating session.

Pizza time!

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Ben brought some 'turn of the century' passenger cars that he bought recently.

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GN O-8 2-8-2 imported by Sunset in 1976. TCS 1517 decoder with lots of LED's.

Skykomish.

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Mark and John.

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Dave 'road testing' the new Rock Island E6 A-A units.

GNRW OPS 2022 May 05

Ben's new passenger cars at Wilmar.

Rock Island E6 A-A imported by BLI in 2014 at Marias Pass.

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RI E-6's at Hillyard.

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Bill 'doing' the logging railroad.

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John 'switching' the Seattle's freight yard to get all the Boston and Maine potato cars 'reefers'

'reefers' imported by Train Miniature (TM) back in the 70's.

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Joe teaching Paul the 'dispatching' duties.

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Joe gets a 'break' on dispatching.

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GN O-8 at Waverly.

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A 'meet' at Waverly.

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John using a Hybrid New Haven I-5 4-6-4 imported by BLI in 2007 to 'pull' the 'potato reefers' at Skykomish.

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NH 4-6-4 at Chumstick canyon trestle.  Back in the 70's when the TM 'potato reefers' were made, I had to go to several hobby shops to get 10 of them as each hobby shop only 2 of them.

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GN O-8 at Wilmar.

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Dave with RI E-6's at Waverly.

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Mark 'road tested' the new NH EP-5 electrics imported by Rapido in 2022 with motorized pantographs.

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Mark and Bill.

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NH I-5 at Waverly.

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Bill operating the logging shay.

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NH I-5 at St. Paul.

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Seattle's arrival tracks.

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Ben operating the C&O M-1 steam turbine 2-D-2 + 2-D-2 imported by Custom Brass in 1980 with Loksound decoder with turbine sound and lots of LED's.

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NH I-5 at Tye.

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C&O M-1 at Hillyard.

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Wilmar.

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Waverly.

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John had 'show and tell' on the stuff he purchased last W/E.

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Finished with orange 'creamcicles'.

GNRW OPS 2022 May 32

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Some PM and Ross railroaders operating.

Had a few problems while operating the layout, yesterday.

PRR S-1 6-4-4-6 (Imported by Gem models in 1965) was shorting at all turnouts.

Initially, thought that one of the retaining screws for leading or trailing trucks were loose and too low and touching the top of the rail.

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Found that a 'ground' contact to one of the rail heads that I made was bent and causing the problem.

Engine seems to run fine without it so removed it.

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One of the signals wasn't detecting the present of a train in that block.

Figured it is a bad circuit board since the 'coil'  would be, almost impossible, to 'go bad'!

Wrong: one wire broke so the 'fix' was easy and cheap!

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Glad I labeled them!

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The green light on the circuit board 'lights' when that block has a train in it.

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All better.  Block turns red when occupied.

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Another train was shorting, occasionally.

Put another engine on the train and same results.

Figured it must be one of the cars.

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When given 'side pressure' the metal wheels touched the metal truck side frame.

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Ross railroad club: last week.

Bob came over early to 'runs trains'.  After their meeting it was late so no other trains were run.

SP AC-5 4-8-8-2 (imported by KEY models in 1984 with TCS 1517 decoder and lots of LED's.

The 17 passenger cars are by BLI.

Tye.

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Skykomish.

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Tye

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Hillyard.

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Havre.

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Chumstick canyon trestle.

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Wilmar.

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Passenger yard.

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===============

This week.

Nick running a diesel that he brought.

Glacier.

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Waverly.

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Mark, also, brought some diesels to 'run'.

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Gerry ran the N&W Jawn Henry imported by Custom Brass models in 1982 with Loksound (turbine sounds) and lots of LED's and custom painted.

Marias pass.

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Mark's diesel.

Tye.

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Gerry with Jawn Henry at Chumstick canyon trestle.

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Glacier.

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Water stop.

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Mark 'consisting' his diesels.

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Nick's diesel at Tye.

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Wilmar.

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Mark's diesels departing Seattle's freight yard with all 'open loads'.

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Nick at Seattle's freight yard.

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This is the upper loop/interchange/staging tracks.  Never intended for 'scenery' but, over time, I've added 'stuff' to make the 'stop' more interesting, ie coal, water, etc.   I saved on not adding ties when laying the rail figuring it was just  'staging' tracks.

Ross 2022, June 7 14

Nick's diesel departing Seattle's main 'throat'.

Ross 2022, June 7 15

Bob ran the PRR S-1 6-4-4-6.

Skykomish.

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Chumstick canyon trestle.

Ross 2022, June 7 17

A 'meet' at Havre.

Ross 2022, June 7 18

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Some of Joe's 'glow' rocks that he purchased at a 'rock' show last week end.

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Last edited by samparfitt

New delivery.

SP AC-6 4-8-8-2 cab forward, original build ('flat face').

Imported by MTH in 2010. The engine is pretty old but I've been 'pleased' with 'older' engine that I have purchased in the past and haven't had any 'issues' with them.

Purchased from the seller who is the original owner and never ran it (or even removed it from the box).

I have an AC-6 by Key in the 'modern' cab front.

I bought this since it was only 350 bucks.  When I consider it cost me about $150 just to install a decoder, speaker and lights,  plus new engines are getting pretty expensive, it makes this purchase a 'no brainer' for me (plus it smokes).

SP AC-6 4-8-8-2 Original build MTH 01

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Original wrapping.

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Spare parts.

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Cast metal boiler and tender so very heavy plus 'traction' tires.

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Oiled all moving surfaces.  They put a lot of 'slop' in 'side movement' of the drivers so they can negotiate tight curves.

Sometimes I have to add Kadee fiber washers to the end drivers to keep the engine from 'skewing' on the track.

They also make the drivers under the fire box rotate but it's not noticeable on my minimum 48" curves.

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Nice 'brake rigging'.  MTH puts springs on the drivers (like brass engines) which I, don't believe, other manufactures 'do'.

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Bad packing by the Chinese.

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Removed 2 screws securing the parts and was able to straighten the parts.

SP AC-6 4-8-8-2 Original build MTH 09

Power pickup (+/-) from both sides of the wheels.

Installed both sets of couplers supplied in the box: tender and front of engine.

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Nice 'wireless' connection.

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Tender water hatch cover access.

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MTH engines smoke well.

I, always, test the engine under address 3 before changing it.

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Nicely detailed. Window glass. Air hoses on front and tender.

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Lighted number boards.

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Nice yellow headlight.

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Well detailed cab and crew.

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Readable builder's plate, etc.

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Early SP signature.

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Lighted headlight and number boards.

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Programming track.

JMRI couldn't read the decoder so I selected MTH Proto 3.

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The data is in the roster but the decoder didn't take the 'info'.

Didn't take '4126' so I used the throttle but nada.  Also inputted just a 2 digit address (being a 12 year old decoder) but same results.

Will have to research my other MTH engines.

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SP roster:

The AC-6 by Key in 1984 with modern front.

SP AC-6 4-8-8-2 Original build MTH 26



front left: AC-4 by Key in 1984

front right: AC-12 by Tenshodo in 1976.

Back left: AC-6 by Key in 1984.

Back right: AC-7 by Key in 1984.

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GS-4 by Westside in 1980.

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AC-1 by Westside in 1980.  In assembly mode.

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AC-12 by Tenshodo in 1976.

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AC-9 by Sunset in 1981.

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AC-5 by Key in 1984.

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Removed engines 'sitting' on 3rd track as incoming train engines couldn't escape from the train to depart to the roundhouse.

layout 01layout 02

96 outside, 75 upstairs, 68 in the basement.

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Entertrainment junction in West Chester, Ohio.

Two miles from my house.

We used Joe's ticket 'winnings' from our last Div 7 meet.

Each area has a different theme.   

All G gauge.

Entertrainment junction 2022 00

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Entertrainment junction 2022 02Entertrainment junction 2022 03

Real water.

Entertrainment junction 2022 04

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With 'rapids'.

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Kid's play area.

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Everything is 'automated'.  Here a logging train moves up 'switch backs'.

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Just about all buildings are lighted with interiors.

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Upper deck:

Entertrainment junction 2022 24

Looking 'down' on layout from upper deck.

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Automated turntable with engines leaving and entering turntable and going to 'coaling' tower.

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Lionel layout.

Two engines were 'off the track' so I re-railed them so they would run.

Everywhere, one pushes red buttons to automate 'stuff'.

Must be tough buttons because all the kids 'beat' on the buttons.

Their 'attention span' appears to be 'short' as they hit the buttons and then 'leave'!



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N scale layout.

Entertrainment junction 2022 34

Cincinnati Union Terminal (CUT).  Same as Cleveland Union Terminal.

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Functioning air balloon.

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Moving crane.

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Places to eat.  Can bring own lunch.

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Last edited by samparfitt

New delivery.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4. Made by Tenshodo in 1979.

Attention to detail: Shipper not only 'bubble wrapped' the box but, also, put 'soft plastic' around it.

Suppose to be from Jim Walshes collection who had a large inventory of steam engines.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 01

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 02

Has a new foam insert as the foam in a lot of engines deteriorated after a decade and, if the engine wasn't properly wrapped in plastic, could damage the paint.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 03

An extra long drawbar included.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 04

At most, just test run on a test track.

Once PFM came out with their 'sound system' (around 1972) other importers started adding 'sound cams' to their engines.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 05

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 06

Tenshodo started labeling their engines around 1974 indicating 'engine, when made and how many of total'.

The 'total' wasn't always THE 'total'.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 07

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 08

A functioning SPRING-LOADED TENDER VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 09

Nicely detailed engine.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 10

Functioning front coupler.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 11

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Hex head rod screws.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 14

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Nice close fit between engine and tender.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 16

Back 'then' they applied the decal with no 'top coat' plus the quality of decals wasn't as good as 'today'.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 17

No Kadee ever attached.

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Challenger roster: 4-6-6-4.

Left to right:

GN Z-6, Tenshodo, 1971.

GN Z-6, Tenshodo, 1975.

NP Z-8, Key, 1981

NP Z-8, Sunset, 2013 (came with decoder and sound).

NP Z-8, Tenshodo, 1979

SP&S Z-8, Key, 1981 (railroad owned by NP and GN).

HMMMMM: never noticed those crooked ties, before; only been that way for 43 years!

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 23

GN  never had a 'glacier' Z-6 but I do!

Ditto on the Grey NP Z-8!

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 24

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 25

UP challenger roster.

These engines were not as big as the 'Z' class.

Top to bottom:

UP late challenger, Tenshodo, 1973

UP early challenger, BLI hybrid, 2022

UP 2-tone grey challenger, cast metal engine and tender, BLI, 2019,

UP 2-tone grey challenger, Key, 1984, functioning sand hatches, turret hatches, tender hatches, smoke box door, cab doors and 'see through' walk boards.

PS: ignore that light tower laying on its 'side'!

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 Tenshodo 26

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Last edited by samparfitt

GNRW ops session, June 25.

A 2-rail O gauge group from Detroit area stopped by at 4 pm.

Here's a video of one of the 2-rail layouts:

Love all that 'hand laid' 2-rail track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ5jlwhbJaY



GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 01

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OPS group.  Chowing down on pizza.

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 02

The crew getting their 'motive power' and train.

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 03

C&O K-4 2-8-4 Berk.  Imported by PFM in 1972.  Painted, can motor, TCS 1517 decoder and lots of LED's.

Wilmar's functioning water tower.

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 04

Dispatcher joe.

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 05

John ran a B&O passenger train.  B&O E A,B by BLI in 2022 and 15 passenger cars bypassing Seattle's Freight yard.

Passenger cars from the 70's by IHC.

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 06

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Mark running an N&W J 4-8-4 and 10 passenger cars.  All imported by MTH in 2017.  J is cast metal boiler/tender and smoke.



GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 08

Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4 with 13 passenger cars.  Engine by BLI with cast metal boiler/tender in 2021 and Walthers passenger cars.

Marias pass.

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 09

Bob's running the Milwaukee train.

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Milwaukee at Havre.

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Mark running the N&W J.

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GN R-2 2-8-8-2 made by Tenshodo in 1972.  Re-motored, re-geared, TCS 1517 decoder, painted and LED's installed.

Wilmar.

N&W J at Marias pass.

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 14

Ben 'switching' the yard.

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Drill track.  GN C-1 0-8-0 imported by Tenshodo in 1968.

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B&O E A/B passenger train west of Waverly.

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Bob and John.

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Bill operating the GN R-2.  East of Waverly.

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PRR Q-2 4-4-6-4 imported by Westside models in 1970. Usual re-motor, paint, decoder, LED's.

Had no trouble pulling around 30 cars upgrade.

Havre.

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 20

Mark's N&W J East of Waverly.

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 21

Ben checking out my 'stash' of old 1950's Varney/Athearn metal freight car kits and Ambroid/Silver Streak wood kits.

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A 'meet' at Havre.  Milwaukee and PRR.

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GN R-2 at Wilmar's water tower.

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GN R-2 on Seattle's 'incoming' tracks.

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PRR Q-2 at Tye's water tower.  I inserted a light in the 'dog house' for the brakeman!

GNRW OPS 2022 June 25 27

Bob's 'road testing' the new SP AC-6 from MTH made in 2010 with cast metal boiler/tender and smoke.

Chumstick canyon trestle.

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Light number boards, interior and crew.

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NYC H-10B 2-8-2 imported by PFM in 1981.  Usual upgrades.

Water tank at Wilmar.

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Morning summer sun shining on my childhood Lionel trains.

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Last edited by samparfitt

POST OPS PM.

Got to work on one problem before 'heading' out to a 'train fest' in Dayton, Ohio.

The B&O E A/B passenger train was, momentarily, shorting at a few locations.

Departing Hillyard video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFiFFXMl0Yc

Starting 'point'.

Departing the passenger yard.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 34

Found one problem.

I missed replacing one passenger car's 'pizza' flanges with Intermountain wheels!

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 35

Much better.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 36

The old wheel sets were, also, out of gauge.

Figured that would 'solve the problem' but nada.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 37

All the turnouts are #10's and there's not a lot of room between the 'points' and 'stock' rail so shorts can occur with 'out of gauge' wheels.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 37B

Have two areas were I didn't do a very good job for the 'sub road bed' 43 years ago so there are some small 'humps' in the track where a passenger car will 'occasionally' uncouple.

I shimmed the observation car's coupler on the B&O car to fix this 'one problem'.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 38

Passenger car track where one small 'hump' occurs.  No explanation of why that happened as the sub road bed is 1/2" ply and homosote.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 39

This is the other spot where 'spline' road bed meets 'flat ply' road bed.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 40

So far, all's 'good'.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 41

The train, consistently, shorted in this one tunnel going about 3 MPH.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 42

This is the car with the new wheel sets and it is lighted so I rotated one truck so no lights 'come on' but the momentary short still occurred.  I removed the car but the same results.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 43

I took the B unit off the train and no short so;

1) checked the B's wheel sets and all's 'good'.

2) thought, maybe too much amperage and overloading the 'system' so  I changed that affected 'booster' from 'HO' to 'O/G' and no more 'momentary' shorts.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 44

To me, it makes no sense since the circuit breakers would seem to be the 'deciding factor'!

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 45

This was the other spot where the short occurred and, again, all's 'good'.

B&O E-1 A diesel BLI 2022 46

After 950' of 'track running', back to the passenger yard and everything seems OK; Go figure!

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Yesterday, before the Detroit crew arrived, I found one of the incoming/ round house depart tracks had no power.

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A 'quick fix' with some alligator clips for the 'ground' rail.

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Last edited by samparfitt

Trainfest at Carillon park, Dayton, Ohio.

Very impressive park.   I don't think most 'area' people are aware of it.

Videos:

Train ride:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzchN7Ss2Ao

Calliope:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtQq3LPj34o

MAP.

Carillon Park train fest 2022 00



Main entrance.

Carillon Park train fest 2022 01

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Very enthusiastic tote saying 'choo choo train'.

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Old stationary steam engines.

Carillon Park train fest 2022 04

Lots of buildings with 'things' inside.

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Live steam

Carillon Park train fest 2022 09

Allan and Liz.

Carillon Park train fest 2022 10

Functioning printing presses.

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Train ride.

A 3' gauge railroad is suppose to be 'ready' by December.

Carillon Park train fest 2022 12

'In use' eagles nest.

Carillon Park train fest 2022 13

Not 'steam' but can't get 'choosey'!

Carillon Park train fest 2022 14

Rail cars.

Carillon Park train fest 2022 15

Property has a lot of huge trees.

Carillon Park train fest 2022 16

First we visited the 'outside' displays while it was still cool in the morning.

Later we 'hit' the indoor displays.

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Dayton was NCR's corporate HQ.

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'stuff' for sale in the main 'hall'.

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Bill.

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N-trak.

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Dave.

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Mike.

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Last edited by samparfitt

Everything was DC using PFM's sound systems until about 4 years ago.

Initially, I thought a conversion to DCC from an existing DC layout would be a lot of work.

A friend brought over his Digitrax DCC so I could test it on my layout and it worked great so I bought one.

Being such a large layout, adding boosters, circuit breakers, etc did make it more work than it 'first appeared' but it was manageable.  I had to route new wires from/to the old control panel and 'break' the 'common wire' to the 'ground' rail.

I'm glad I converted 'late' as I got the latest 'stuff', ie command station and decoders that have sound, lights, etc.

DCC has 'matured' to where I don't have to worry about it becoming obsolete.

The big thing with DCC is no more 'throwing' toggles to 'route' your trains.

With the old DC system having 4 main line throttles, there would always be a toggle 'not thrown' or a train would enter another block not controlled by his throttle.

It's really nice to run any engine or train anywhere on the layout without having to worry about 'toggles'.

Since the conversion I've never used the old DC system.

The big 'project' was installing decoders.

I doubt if I'll get all my engines converted but about 100, now, have decoders.

The only 'negative' is the 'cost': Converting 100 engines to DCC isn't cheap.

Recently prices of TCS decoders have increased so an 'install' with all the LED's, speaker, etc. is about $150 for each engine.

Plus, in my 'old age', I've been buying quite a few BLI engines: They are already painted and they have really nice brass hybrid engines plus smoke.  I've been pleased with their reliability.

Considering the cost of installing decoders, it makes a lot of the BLI engines pretty cheap.

I've, also, have bought several of the MTH cast metal engines.

Most are several years old but the decoders work great, have smoke and can be bought at a 'very good price'.

An example is the MTH AC-6 that I just purchased for $350: 10 years old and brand new.  Subtract the 150 bucks I would have had to spend installing a decoder it makes the cab forward, at $200, really cheap.

All my other engines get TCS 1517 steam decoders.

Last edited by samparfitt

New delivery.

NP A-3 4-8-4 brass hybrid imported by BLI in 2022.

Paragon 4 now has 'keep alive' although I only remember one BLI engine that I have that 'stops once in awhile' due to electrical interference.

This is my second A-3.

This engine is so nice that I had to buy another one.

Will look cool 'double headed'.

I'm guessing 'new' white boxes.

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Well 'sealed' in 'clam shell' plastic.

NP A-3 4-8-4 BLI #2667 03

Lubricated all moving parts.

Traction tires.

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Well detailed cab with crew and lights.

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Lots of 'piping'.

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Love stuff like this: functioning turret hatches.

Amazing BLI doesn't mention this!

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Programming track.

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Decoderpro via SPROG.

NP A-3 4-8-4 BLI #2667 20

Comes with a Kadee coupler on the pilot.

NP A-3 4-8-4 BLI #2667 21

Will be easy to 'double head' with this 2nd engine.

NP A-3 4-8-4 BLI #2667 22

A good 'smoker'.  Love this stuff!

A great time to be in this hobby plus my RC planes: lots of high quality stuff.

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Last edited by samparfitt

Ross club meeting.

No meeting and only 4 'showed up' but they had a good time!

Paul ran the NP A-3 4-8-4 brass hybrid from BLI.

Skykomish.

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Hillyard.

Ross club June 28, 2022 02

chumstick canyon trestle.

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Back at Seattle's roundhouse.

Ross club June 28, 2022 07

Nick and Mark brought their diesels and gave them a good 'work out';

They ran trains 2 times on the mainline so each 'diesel set' got 1900' of mainline 'running' or about 32 scale miles or over 6 football fields!

MMM: near the end of the last 'run' they were sitting and just watching their trains 'run'; wore them out walking along with their trains.

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Ross club June 28, 2022 09

Dispatcher Joe's work was 'light'.

Ross club June 28, 2022 10

Attachments

Images (10)
  • Ross club June 28, 2022 01
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Last edited by samparfitt

PM another engine.

GN N-3 2-8-8-0 made by Tenshodo in 1973.  TCS 1517 decoder, re-gear, re-motor, lots of LED lights and Glacier paint added.

This engine was, occasionally, shorting at the last 'OPS'.

Videos:

Skykomish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qHm2YUmYTw

Hillyard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7liWQpnGjk

While in a tunnel, I noticed the 'blow down' pipe was below rail 'level'.  That was adjusted but nada.

GN N-3 2-8-8-0 Tenshodo 58

'Blow down' pipe.

GN N-3 2-8-8-0 Tenshodo 59

While on a trestle, I started wiggling the engine with no results and then the tender and noticed a tiny spark where the draw bar screw nut was, momentarily, making contact with the engine frame, thus causing the short.  The draw bar screw just had to be tightened while securing the nut and all's 'good'.

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The Seattle's freight yard was full so the 'freight drag' was routed to St. Paul's freight yard.

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Attachments

Images (4)
  • GN N-3 2-8-8-0 Tenshodo 58
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Last edited by samparfitt

Last PM from the last OPS session.

The Milwaukee passenger train had 3-4 cars derail at Glacier.

The cars are a scale distance but have had no prior problems in the past.

Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4 BLI 2021 39

Road test:

video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRa3wtuAF8A

Skykomish.

Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4 BLI 2021 40

Love their observation car.

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Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4 BLI 2021 42

Ran fine through Glacier: both ways.

Guessing, maybe a car came off and caused the others to 'bind'.

No derailments on the 'road test'.

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West of Waverly.

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St. Paul.

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Wilmar.

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Chumstick canyon trestle.

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Tye, just entering Cascade tunnel.

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Ran 1000' with no problems. 

Just entering the passenger yard.

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Attachments

Images (12)
  • Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4 BLI 2021 39
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  • Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4 BLI 2021 49
  • Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4 BLI 2021 50

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