PRR Panhandle 2.0

Updated 12/24/2024:

There's not been a lot of time to do big things, but I did manage to upgrade the block detection circuit just east of bridge.  Thanks to input from @Bob and @PRRMiddleDivision the circuit got a capacitor and a resistor.  This circuit activates the signal on the PRR signal bridge.  Old circuit on the left;  updated circuit on the right.

The relay on the upgraded circuit no longer chatters and there's no "bounce" as the car travels into the detection zone.  Here's a short video demonstration.

More when I know it. 

Merry Christmas to all! 

George

That works nice and smoothly.

Merry Christmas, George!

That detection circuit looks simple. Is it just because I don't know anything about electronics or is it pretty simple?

Updated 1/2/2024:

OK, the original intention was to install the circuit handling input from an insulated rail (track occupancy block) and the positions of two Tortoise switch machines.  I started out in that direction and even wired up the relay.  Here it is in front of the signal bridge.

It will go under this section of bench work, mounted upside down.

After getting a look at the area that will hold the relay, I decided it might be a good idea to install the No. 40 Tortoise switch, which is on the C & P River Route.  This is just inside the tunnel.  Switch No. 40 is to the left.

This decision also meant that I would need to nail down roadbed and install track feeders, as well as the Tortoise.   By the way, here is my reference for track feeders.  Black is ground; Red is AC Hot; White is for insulated rail use.

I spent the better part of 2 hours remembering why it's better to drill holes for Tortoise throw wires from above.  It's much easier.  The cramped shelf area was a major impediment and I messed up the hole.  Fortunately, it's inside a tunnel where no one will see it.  So I inserted a section of straight track, moving the turnout by roughly 10" and tried again.  This time (after finally measuring twice) I got a clean hole in the correct location.

I'm going to do the actual installation tomorrow as fatigue is not my friend.

More when I know it. 

George

Ugh!  Fatigue is not my friend either.  In fact, I don’t think Fatigue has any friends. 😫

@Mark Boyce posted:

Ugh!  Fatigue is not my friend either.  In fact, I don’t think Fatigue has any friends. 😫

  Probably doesn't get invited to any parties, either.

George

Updated 1/3/2025:

Still looks like a mess under the layout, but:

• Turnout No. 40 has been moved about 10" farther west and installed.
• Tortoise switch machine for Turnout No. 40 has been installed.
• The panel with the circuit (DPDT relay, terminal block, capacitor, resistor) has been mounted and is in the process of being connected to the Tortoise machines and the insulated rail.

I'm working tomorrow, but I hope to get these completed on Sunday.

More when I know it. 

George

@G3750 posted:

Updated 1/3/2025:

...

• The panel with the circuit (DPDT relay, terminal block, capacitor, resistor) has been mounted and is in the process of being connected to the Tortoise machines and the insulated rail.

...

What is the model # and source for the relay?

@Mallard4468 posted:

What is the model # and source for the relay?

https://www.amazon.com/Ximimar...Socket/dp/B07L1L3RJT

George

@G3750 posted:

https://www.amazon.com/Ximimar...Socket/dp/B07L1L3RJT

George

Thanks for the info.  Description says it's a 12v DC relay, but you mention using it via an insulated rail - does it work when triggered by AC current, or do you also use a rectifier?  And if you're running DCS or TMCC, does the ~18v AC hurt the 12v relay?

@Mallard4468 posted:

Thanks for the info.  Description says it's a 12v DC relay, but you mention using it via an insulated rail - does it work when triggered by AC current, or do you also use a rectifier?  And if you're running DCS or TMCC, does the ~18v AC hurt the 12v relay?

The circuit in the photo activates a signal when triggered by one or more of these:  2 switches and / or an insulated rail.  Instead, take a look at this simple insulated rail circuit for an MTH signal.

There is a bridge rectifier in the circuit as well as a 47 ohm resistor.  The capacitor is 220 uF 50V.

I am running TMCC.

George

@G3750 posted:

The circuit in the photo activates a signal when triggered by one or more of these:  2 switches and / or an insulated rail.  Instead, take a look at this simple insulated rail circuit for an MTH signal.

There is a bridge rectifier in the circuit as well as a 47 ohm resistor.  The capacitor is 220 uF 50V.

I am running TMCC.

George

Thanks for the details, George.  That's some serious documentation!

@Mallard4468 posted:

Thanks for the details, George.  That's some serious documentation!

Thank you.  The level of documentation is testament to my poor short-term memory.  I'll forget how I did it weeks from now.  If I want to repeat it later or have to get under the layout years later to fix something, I want to know what I'm looking at.  Plus I managed or built complex software / hardware systems for a lot of my career.  It's habit - because I know I will need it.

George

Updated 1/5/2025:

I managed to get the wires for the signal circuit connected (except the power wires to the Tortoises).  Also connected were a couple of feeder pairs to track beyond the signal bridge (note the lit passenger car on the siding in the distance).

Not all test scenarios have been verified, but with both Tortoises (Switches 41 & 42) set for the mainline and no trains occupying the mainline beyond the signal bridge (west), signal displays the CLEAR aspect - which is correct.

Now if I move a train so that it occupies the block beyond the signal bridge, the signal correctly shows the STOP aspect.

Woohoo!!!  Once again, thank you @Bob Bob Bartizek!

We have some wiring clean-up to do under this stretch of the layout.  And I will probably lay another 6-8 feet of C & P River Route while I'm under there, but for now that's enough.

More when I know it. 

George

Updated 1/7/2025:

A few baby steps today.  Got the rest of the main roof off the Open Hearth (the pouring extension).  Also someone puked up a hairball on the back of the vinyl backdrop lying under the layout.  Fortunately, that cleaned up very easily.  Another selling point for RailroadBackdrops.com!!!! 

More when I know it. 

George

Updated 1/8/2025:

I moved materials around to the other (pouring) side of the Open Hearth.  I also managed to get the roof underside up in place for a test fit.  A second attempt to de-bond supports from the old roof section failed miserably.  I ended up cutting new supports and spray-painting them black.

More when I know it. 

George

Everything was glued too well it seems

@Mark Boyce posted:

Everything was glued too well it seems

Yes.  I seem to do the wrong thing extremely well. 

George

What kind of glue did you use that held so well?

@BillYo414 posted:

What kind of glue did you use that held so well?

To tell you the truth, I can't remember.  I did the roof in the fall of 2023.  I think it was CA (on the right).

George

Updated 1/9/2025:

Okay, I got some of the bracing installed on the roof.  It is upside down as we look at it.  Cross braces will be glued in the wide gaps between vertical rods.  Then I will flip the roof upside down (black side down) and glue it in place on the ribs using E-6000.  After that, we will install the corrugated roofing.

And just for giggles, here are some bonus shots.  These are views of the layout you don't normally see.

First, here's Weirton Junction from the 1:48 steel worker perched on the Open Hearth stacks.

And if he turns his head to the right, he has a view of the Ohio River bridge.

More when I know it. 

George

It must have been the “Hobby Express” CA. 😉

Those are great views from the stack.  Reminds me of viewing down off the mountain from the stack at the Mountain Storm Power Station many years ago.  👍🏻

Those are pretty cool views! It's like a bonus because getting that view as a civilian back in the day would have been unlikely. Only specific employees would have seen that, I assume.

Bill, yes in the mid ‘90s we only went up the stack occasionally to check the instrumentation on the brand new scrubbers.  Before that, no reason to go there.

Updated 1/10/2025:

This morning we got the pouring side roof underlayment (most of it) installed on the Open Hearth.  I added a number of cross-braces (which I didn't photograph).  I had to cut and file these while sitting on the layout. They would have been better fitted if I had used a grinder or sanding wheel, but I didn't want to have to get up and down off the layout repeatedly.  This was physically demanding, as moving around up on the layout while avoiding collisions with the ceiling, beams, track, and signals was quite the challenge.  Add in the occasional massive leg cramp, and I needed reminding that "model railroading is fun". 

Despite all that "sturm und drang" and the fact that the it's not perfect (will look fine once the panels and weathering are in place), the roof is up.  Sorry about the fuzziness of the photo.

More when I know it. 

George

It will be fine when it’s done!  It’s an impressive structure

Updated 1/10/2025 (PM):

Not being one to leave well enough alone, I did add a stiffener along the edge of the roof.  But I do think @Mark Boyce is correct.  It will be fine when painted and weathered.  Thanks, Mark!

In the meantime, I have cut 7 "bulkheads" or triangular stiffeners for the ventilator roof.  Photo below.

The plan is to glue these supports (after painting them flat black) edgewise to the rightmost long panel (yes there are 2).  Once they are set, I will prop the assembly on edge and glue the supports edgewise to the other panel.  That will, hopefully, create a one-piece "hat" that can be placed on the ventilator trusses.  The 120 degree roof caps and corrugated roofing will be added once the "hat" is in place.

After that, weather the entire roof lightly, don a mask, open the ventilation system to draw air out of the train room, and apply DullCote.

That is the plan but reality may impose changes (as it usually does).

More when I know it. 

George