What did you do on your layout today?

Thank you everyone on the building.  Chris, you are thinking the same as me, the sills are too light.  

First, I thought I had fried a board on my VisionLine Niagara.  It was doing fine until there was an issue with an engine nearby that shorted out the rails for a short period. When I went back to the Niagara..... no crew talk whatsoever. Everything else was fine. When I read that you cannot independently control volume on an engine, thoughts of sending the engine in for a lengthy repair entered my head.   BUT my LHS owner suggested that I try resetting via Bluetooth. I got the app, found the volume button on it, and there it was..... independent controls of the different sounds!  .....set it back to full and all was well, the sun shined once more, all was right with the world.    .....i dont remember seeing any way to control these settings via the Legacy remote. Did I miss something?

On the layout,  I added  self-made sound circuits.  My Lionel Lift Bridge now is on a schedule to let boats pass under it.  First a warning siren is sounded... then  couple seconds later a second blast happens and shortly thereafter, the bridge raises, with some creaking/squealing/groaning sounds.  Background noise of some birds, train far distant, and some guys shouting while it sits open for a bit, then another warning siren before it comes back down.    

Last week I successfully automated my oil drum/barrel loader (the one that picks up barrels with a forklift and transports them to a gondola at the siding. Now, when a car pulls up, the sound will activate and a light I added to the work house will also light up. The sound is of freight dock general background noise. If the car does not remain for 30 secs, the sound stops and no loading takes place. If the car remains, the sound track continues with guys joking about not damaging the paint on the train with the forklift and then you get the beeps and motor sounds of the forklift as it goes back and forth delivering the oil drums to the gondola... after 6 drums are loaded, the animation switches off and the foreman says "that's enough. we're good to go! " followed by "let's load up some more drums for our next job".  The cycle will only repeat after the dock has been cleared for 4 seconds (the loaded car leaves).

The attached pix are of the redecorated oil drum loader...my attempt at a night shot to capture lighting.  ...still very much a work in progress.

Lee,  I am glad to see your driver has a good job.  The excitement of painting figures is the ability to learn by trying new methods.

Mark,  I used Testor's Acryl Flat Sand for many stone window sills. Put a drop of Red Earth in it if you want it darker.  A thin wash might help darken the sills.  I thought the building looked excellent as is.

Scotty,  Nice nighttime pictures.  Nighttime is when the layout magic happens: road signals, street lights, warm interior lights, and the passing engine headlight and passenger cars.

I just learned my offer for a Lionel 1927610 Canadian Pacific four-car set was accepted.  I will be painting more Preiser 65602 Seated People this week after I get AAA batteries for my head light I use when painting.  I do like working in the quiet of late night.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Ok the C&O Piggyback flats are done total of 7 I think some are in the garage but here’s the last one with the rest I’ve done this winter. 

Scott, I'm glad you got the VisionLine working right again.  I'll bet your sound circuits add a lot to the layout.

John, Thank you on the tip on the Testors acrylic flat sand.

Lee, All the flats look ready for trailers!!

Gang, when you spent $1 on an 18" long suspension bridge, you know you're getting a poorly-made piece of junk. Two hours of cutting, tearing, repairing, taping, eliminating pieces (there were no directions), and I am amazed to report that this card stock bridge is so stable that I was able to move it to my  unfinished "Knights of Atlantis" train lay-out.

Now I have to make supports to put it somewhere over the tracks.

chris a posted:

Photos like this show me that I have a long way to go in the direction I want to go.

Here’s one with a C&O 40’ pig 

I don't know about that Vincent, I think when I am done with this I should schedule an appointment with my doctor to determine whether my OCD is treatable Stage 2, or incurable Stage 4....  I think I already know the answer.   I like the suspension bridge !!

Vincent, stick with me.   Your bridge for a buck will keep you happy.  

Lee, the loaded car looks great 

chris a posted:

Mark,  the different light aspects were intentional... what you can't see in the photos is me moving the "insulated rail common trigger to different relay coils checking to see if all the different aspect outputs were working....  

Bob,  the capacitor is for "smoothing" the voltage across the relay coil, which should prevent relay chattering.     As wheels and track get's dirty, intermittent contact will cause relay chatter..  The capacitor basically stores the 12 volt charge and applies to the contacts when the signal from the insulated rail, gets weak or disappears intermittently. 

I am using a 470 uF capacitor as that seems to be used regularly in this application (ie: 12 Volt DC relay coil)....  The capacitors are "polarized" there is a "gray/silver" stripe on one side that side connects to the negative DC lead going to the coil.... The positive lead is hooked up directly to the 12 VDC + coil contact. 

Hooking it up backwards, will likely cause it to pop... small explosion.    Also, you need at least twice the coil voltage on the cap rating....  35 VDC and 50VDC are pretty common.   I did a Google search as I hadn't hooked any up in over a year, and needed an installation refresher... 

You have to be using  DC relay coils to use the capacitor... there aren't many AC relays in use at this voltage, but my understanding is the Cap won't work in an alternating current environment which make sense.  

I am not an electronics expert, but I think I read somewhere that much higher value capacitors may be used to create a "delay".... I assume it does it because it is effectively a storage device and has to "discharge" after the circuit opens, so the more watts you store, the longer it takes to discharge and release the coil....  So if you are trying to delay the closing of the gates, my guess is that you will want a capacitor with at least 2000 uF rating, maybe even higher.    

I'd attach the page but I closed it a week ago, and I doubt I'll find it again...  I also hooked up a 22 ohm resistor in the line from the insulated rail the theory is that it slows down current surges...   

 

Close...

discharge "speed"is  based on the amp draw. A small bulb eats more in one second than say a motor so a heavy draw can drop the charge "immediately" and a light draw l.e.d. on the same cap will last many minutes/hours.

The voltage output peak is based on the charge's peak, etc. (use a cap voltage rated well over expected max volts, 35v- 50v mostly)  More uf rating is like having a "bigger battery"; voltage remains the same but more amps are available. More uf can take longer to charge. You don't need high charging amperages going into one to eventually get a high amp delivery out of one either.

Over voltage and reversed polarities makes them pop like firecrackers. From puffs of smoke and a soft puft sound to M-80/¼ stick explosion depending on size and voltages. (careful ) 

Bi-polar caps are for ac they say bi polar or have the ac wave (~) or dot dash instead of a + or - (lable to legs vary)

Delays can be created in the charging speed of caps used in say our relay triggering by using resistors and other regulating circuits. (say chattering is from many car wheels over a small isolated rail section..... off,on off on off on...etc; then slowing the cap charge to avoid it throwing the turnout repeatedly with one train pass works out. While charging , the coil simply won't fire with any ompf again.

This means you are also vulnerable to being unable to quick change in decisions (oops recovery) in a "split second"...but by adjusting resistance you can also find a happy balance between charge time silence and a really slow chatter  (maybe one click every 1.5 sec or maybe 5 sec. sound ok?)

Chattering ac relays can often be helped with just a diode, giving the coil half wave (pulsed dc)   (for independent power turnout coils; not for track powered.)

A timed,  or latching relay is another way to keep chatter down by locking out continuous power temporarily... 

Relays seem like a pita but can help some longt track(circuit) wear too. Those sparks at isolated rails are "large sparks" from a large "linear motor". A smaller coil(relay) makes smaller sparks.  Every spark lifts and burns a tiny bit of metal, big bit from big sparks or small ones...it adds up

Since people were asking about the highway earlier here it is from the other side, where it passes by some shops and union station. Apparently this was more fascinating than the pink foam hill I made 😉.

Leapin' Larry,  Here is a video of the cars I recently detailed on my far from finished layout, Valley of Bridges.  All of my family has moved to Florida, and the odds are against my finishing the layout here in Cleveland.  Detailing the passenger cars is a productive use of time when continuing to build the layout is no longer realistic.  At age 69, a simpler plan seems wise.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Today I made further progress on my scratch-built Union Station. I stained and assembled som of the interior details.

The Information Counter/Dispatch Board.

The ticket Office.

For more details on today's progress including where I got my materials and how the make the dispatch board, see, like and follow my posts in the OGR Scenery and Structures forum at https://ogrforum.com/...ess-update-1-29-2020

This video contains the Lionel Broadway Limited Dining car that I recently detailed with Preiser 65602 Seated People that I painted.  The car is part of the 10-car consist by Lionel.  

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Mark Boyce posted:

John, Another successful 'Dr. Frankenstein' job!  The populated kitchen will look great!

Chris, I see signals changing with each photograph!  An intermittent wire!  Stranger things have happened.  It looks great!

Johan, The Gulf car looks superb as usual!

Lou, The whole scene is looking great!  The 4-lane highway overpass looks neat.  I don't recall if you mentioned how you built it; and I would never find it in almost 900 pages on this topic!  

Mark. Thank you very much.🤝

Johan

mike g. posted:

Afternoon guys, I don't have a lot of time so I will make it quick!~

Larry, What a great layout you have! The BNSF is from MTH and its a PS2 I run from my DCS system. I really love the engine! Thanks for your kind words!

Johan, great job on #59 and the tank car! They both look wonderful!

Brian, wonderful Santa Fe engines!

Lirr, your going to be a pro by the time you get done!

Lew, Now arnt you the smart one! What a great idea!

John, Your work on your passenger cars ar just amazing!

Lou, Looks great! I really like the Highway!

Chris, Looking good! I am glad things are working well for you! But it still makes my head hurt! LOL

So yesterday I was going to paint my new track for my siding, but then started thinking about what Lew said about extending it for more car parking. Well I didn't do that, but I did extend the other siding and then this morning I went out and painted both tracks! Here are a couple of photos !

Everyone have a great night!

Mike. Thank you very much. 🤝

Johan

Another busy evening on the RR's.

Chris A- thanks for the info. I'm using a 12 VAC relay so your method won't work but @Adriatic Butch, followed up with some good info. Thanks to you both.
Mike- the sidings look good.
Mark- great job on the building. I hope to get started on mine this weekend.
John- the trains look great. The sounds are excellent too.
ScottV- love to see/ hear a video of the loader in action.
Randy- very nice
LeeD- nice work on the flats and your driver.
Johan- another great car.
Vincent- cool little bridge.

Me? ran trains for a bit last night. I'm having fun shifting cars around onto the new sidings.

I put my MTH H-10-44 away until I can replace the speaker, don't want to risk shorting the board if the speaker blows. My Williams NW-2 is a very able replacement for early diesel power. Shot a video but it's too big to upload. Some pix will do....

Chris a, wiring panel looks good....neat and precise.

Mike g, The siding for the crane looks better with the extension to the other crane.

Johan, I like the hopper car. Nice weathering on the tank car. Your list of cars keeps growing.

Mark, good job on your building so far. Glad to see you are getting  chance to work on some projects for the layout.

Lee, like the new truck addition with figure and the flat cars came out great.

Bob, nice pics of the layout. The siding came out great.

So late yesterday faternoon I got my package from Tracksidescenery. I like the way the buildings look. I placed a car on them to show the perspective of their size. They are O scale. Nopw I am going to cut them out and mount them on foam board. Hoping they will finish off the last section of backdrop.........Pics............Paul 2

Well "today" I added 4 shelves for displaying and building facades, sky, clouds and sidewalk!!!!

Mike23

Great looking layout and really like the slot car zipping around. Best of both worlds.

Dean

Mike23 nice-looking layout. Is that an aurora O gauge track and car?

Took some pics of the Pigs today on the layout  I  have 6 not 7 as I first thought and took a video of “Buzz” pulling them around to get ready to load.

Lee, with all those cars you've been building/modifying/painting you're gonna' need a bigger layout.   

The Aroura is 1/87th I believe. The cars are just a couple inches long. T-Jets and AFX from when I was a kid. I "had" to include them somehow!!

paul 2 posted:

Chris a, wiring panel looks good....neat and precise.

Mike g, The siding for the crane looks better with the extension to the other crane.

Johan, I like the hopper car. Nice weathering on the tank car. Your list of cars keeps growing.

Mark, good job on your building so far. Glad to see you are getting  chance to work on some projects for the layout.

Lee, like the new truck addition with figure and the flat cars came out great.

Bob, nice pics of the layout. The siding came out great.

So late yesterday faternoon I got my package from Tracksidescenery. I like the way the buildings look. I placed a car on them to show the perspective of their size. They are O scale. Nopw I am going to cut them out and mount them on foam board. Hoping they will finish off the last section of backdrop.........Pics............Paul 2

Thanks Paul I like the Valley Suppy Co can’t wait to see it done 

geysergazer posted:

Lee, with all those cars you've been building/modifying/painting you're gonna' need a bigger layout.   

Lew 

You are right I have the frame work done for the second half of the layout it’s been to cold these past evening’s to work out in the garage but I’ll get you guys some shots of it one day 

Mine in the video are trackside flats

Mark, Thank you! The AmeriTown building is really looking sharp!

John, Thank you Sir! Your dining car looks great! You did a wonderful job on the kitchen! Nice video!

Lee D, Thank you! The truck and driver look perfect! And your piggyback trailers are just wonderful! Nice video, but I think you lost something from your last photo! LOL

Chris Thank you! I know your taking your time, but its better to do it right and test it before you end up going under the layout!

Scott V, Sounds like quite a project! I wish you would have posted a video! I am with John, your night photos are great!

Vincent, You took a $1 project and made it look great! Nice work!

Randy, Outstanding work on your Union Station project! Things are really coming along nicely!

Bob, Looks like you are having way to much fun! LOL I think you need to get back to work!

Paul 2, Nice selection of buildings! They should look really nice on your layout! I hope you will post photos down the road!

Well today I spent a good amount of time with the wife as its her birthday, but then she gave me the green light to visit the train room. I have a couple switch machines that have to stiff of wire so I spent a good amount of time under the table looking for replacement wire. Never did find it but did find stuff I forget I even had. I found 2 crane cars with crane tenders and some what look like American flyer size cars that I will never use and put up for sale! Here are a couple photos!

I hope everyone had a great day and fun with there trains! Remember to have fun and don't work to hard! LOL 

Except you BOB you been playing to much! LOL

Mike23 posted:

The Aroura is 1/87th I believe. The cars are just a couple inches long. T-Jets and AFX from when I was a kid. I "had" to include them somehow!!

 

Me 2 because the 1/48th auroras are excellent size wise but are to expensive and I've got plenty of these from my young years

Paul and Mike, thank you for the comment on train time and the building.

Paul, I like those building prints a lot!

Mike G, Yesterday I was able to pull out a big tote box my wife buried in the garage right after surgery.  I was looking for one thing and found others I forgot I had too.

Mike23, the layout looks very nice including the backdrop and shelves.

Lee, the piggyback flat cars look great!

I didn't do anything in the train room today.  I didn't follow Mike's advice and worked too hard going through old papers and shedding stuff I totally forgot about also.

Lee D, Thank you! The truck and driver look perfect! And your piggyback trailers are just wonderful! Nice video, but I think you lost something from your last photo! LOL

Mike 

I think I know what your thinking I removed that hitch for a 40’ trailer setup and moved the front one back a little I will probably do another one this way. Thanks for the complement I appreciate it 

Well after completing the Pig flats I thought I would service my Weaver Nickel Plate RS tonight. I haven’t cleaned this in 2 years that’s bad I know. I also ordered a Vintage K-Line Nickel Plate Bay window Caboose for this engine that smokes and is lighted. I’ll post pics of the Caboose when it gets here. 

Mark Boyce posted:

Paul and Mike, thank you for the comment on train time and the building.

Paul, I like those building prints a lot!

Mike G, Yesterday I was able to pull out a big tote box my wife buried in the garage right after surgery.  I was looking for one thing and found others I forgot I had too.

Mike23, the layout looks very nice including the backdrop and shelves.

Lee, the piggyback flat cars look great!

I didn't do anything in the train room today.  I didn't follow Mike's advice and worked too hard going through old papers and shedding stuff I totally forgot about also.

Thanks Mark for the complement I appreciate it they were a fun project 

Well I’m back in Reefer mood ok not that Reefer mood either I know some of you guys where teens in the sixties like my brothers. Anyway back to what’s going on the layout next. A very nice OGR. Member sent me this very old Wood Reefer and I mean made out of real wood and yes it has two different sides. Thought I would try to get this thing up and going again. 

Well I’m calling it a night. I’ve removed all the cross braces and sanded the top down and ends Reefers never had these braces that I’ve seen. I’m also making new ends for it and it will have real hardware. 

To finish my last fourteen Lionel 21" passenger cars, I had to paint a few specific figures from several Preiser 65602 36 Seated People packs.  I am now finishing the remaining figures before starting on new sets of 36 people for the Canadian Pacific 21" passenger cars that are in transit.

It is a good time to start painting because an ice storm with snow later is expect here in Cleveland.  I bought extra batteries for my LED work light I wear on my head while painting.  The mix of figures will help me sharpen my painting skills before opening the twelve new boxes of people.

Don't need a snow day.  I'm retired.  Very tired.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John Rowlen posted:

To finish my last fourteen Lionel 21" passenger cars, I had to paint a few specific figures from several Preiser 65602 36 Seated People packs.  I am now finishing the remaining figures before starting on new sets of 36 people for the Canadian Pacific 21" passenger cars that are in transit.

It is a good time to start painting because an ice storm with snow later is expect here in Cleveland.  I bought extra batteries for my LED work light I wear on my head while painting.  The mix of figures will help me sharpen my painting skills before opening the twelve new boxes of people.

Don't need a snow day.  I'm retired.  Very tired.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John,  what’s the population of Rowlenworld?

Happy Friday! Another busy evening......Everyone is doing some great work.

Like Paul, I also got some building prints. I plan to use them on the wall behind the new siding. These are from the same source where I got the block wall images from. I have a nice color printer at work that handles up to 11X17 paper so I'm able to print at a decent size. I'm going to print a couple different sizes out today now that I see what the full size images look like. Not sure about scale yet, I have to measure them but I stuck them on the wall last night to see how they look. I 'm planning on building a stockade fence behind the new building so the bottom will be covered. I need to cut these out and mount them on foam board and then I'll see how I want to arrange them.

I'm also planning to add a backdrop with a road to connect to the road at the bottom of the retaining wall.

Bob

I tidied up. A recent project was using an IR remote extender/repeater to convert my MTH DCS Remote Commander into a 100% responsive all-position tethered walk-around throttle.

Beta version:

Remote Commander receiver with IR emitters applied to the IR window, IR extender electronics and it's power supply.

Beta-testing complete, I am happy with the performance so set out to hide the hardware. 

The DSC receiver now hidden in the benchwork:

A cover installed to prevent stray IR produced by the Remote from hitting the DCS receiver and causing conflicting-signal jamming:

The extender/repeater electronics hidden from view:

Beta-testing revealed an interesting problem. Strong sunlight was interfering with IR signal propagation through the plastic IR receiver housing so I remounted the receiver such that the receiver window is now aimed directly at the remote emitter. This required flipping the receiver over which I avoided originally because not quite tidy. Too bad, so sad, performance wins out over tidiness:

All tidied up and working beautifully:

Oh, and for anyone else interested in this setup this is a true 'walk-around throttle' which can have the tether unplugged (the tether-wire is standard headphone cable with 3.5mm jacks/plugs) and moved to a new outlet while the train is in motion. This works because the actual 'throttle' is the DCS Remote Commander Receiver and the only time the hand-held remote is active is when a command (change direction, faster/slower, sound whistle/horn) is sent. Thus the tether actually only needs plugged in when the operator wants to send a command to the DCS Receiver.

So spending $60 for a DCS Remote Commander plus $17 for an IR extender/repeater produces a very inexpensive basic-functions walk-around-throttle DCS system (for one locomotive).