SP Cascade Subdivision Update

Last few operating sessions here on the railroad, we had the track section between Hampton and Summit drop Line-ups, which the dispatcher had set for through trains.  It wasnt until Ray was sitting in front of the computer during the last session watching the layout, when he noticed what was causing it to happen.  The switch at East Oakridge momentarily dropped out of correspondence for a moment, which is all it takes to knock down the signals on both sides.  We have been using the Tortoise internal contacts for relaying switch positions to the IO cards in the CTC sections.  It appears that the reliability for the contacts is good for power routing, but lower power applications seem to be a bit more fussy as the contacts wear out over time.  Over the years we have had a couple other machines that had the same issue, but we simply replaced them (some of these are almost 20 yrs old).  Instead of just replacing the machine this time, we set out to try a pair of limit switches externally mounted to the case.  These switches are less than a buck a piece at All electronics, and were quick to mount with ACC.  Here is a pic of the installation:

 After wiring and testing, we noted the paddles had too much spring tension for the motor to completely move over to its normal stop positions.  Suspecting the old motor might be getting tired, we opted to reduce the value of the in-line resistor on the Tortoise motor feed to boost the voltage up a bit more (instead of repositioning the limit switches).  This sped up the "slow-motion" rate of the throw-bar a bit, but gave the motor enough torque to regain its normal operation.  If this procedure ever needs to be done again, I will try mounting the limit switches a bit farther away, but anyone using more than 5-6 V power feed to the motor should have no problem as is.  The near completed project (wow, I would never allow bare wires and that sloppy work on my layout... lol):

CTC Dispatcher Panel

The addition of the peninsula expansion project changed the old panels that handle the signaling.  Ray has contributed countless hours in reconfiguring the underlying parts that make up the hidden workings of the layout in its new configuration (thanks Ray!). Updated screenshots of his latest panels have been added to the CTC Signaling Project Archive Page here (scroll to bottom of that page to view)..

Layout Signal Progress

Been working on the H2 Target Signal Project now that the CTC system has proved its stability working with the latest expansion project.  Progress on the signal construction has been added to the CTC Signaling Project Archive page found here (scroll up from bottom of page and find update 03 / 2014).

CTC system now completed

Looking forward to the first Ops of the newly configured layout under CTC.  The signaling system held back progress for numerous weeks.  Quite a hurdle with the discontinuance of the LEDs we had been using, and the reverse in wiring methods used on the ribbon cables from the TC64 vs the SE8C cards....  and some additional labor hours that had not been anticipated for "Murphy".  Got a layout signal head project update right on the heels of this post....

Its getting close to six months again since the last run, but currently running trains to verify all systems for stability so I can send out Crew calls.

So the latest projects were, installing Hampton sky backboards, upper deck fascia install, and some painting.  All the shelving and throttle racks at the Yard Offices are painted black now, as well as all the latest fascia sections.  Fascias have all but one of the repeaters installed including signal icons and track diagrams.  Missing the Egyptian font station names until I get more decal paper to get those printed up (on this weeks to-do list).  Sky backboards were painted dark blue for the higher elevations, and a lighter blue for lower elevations.  Basically the upper deck will be all dark blue (Klamath Falls thru Oakridge), then the middle and lower decks will be the lighter blue (Hampton down thru Portland). 

Here is an overview shot of the latest stage of layout completion:

The porthole on the left is to monitor trains in the helix, and the one to its right will have more Conifer Tree Trickery to obscure the opening, but still allow visual contact with the Home signal at W Hampton (on the opposite side).  Still a few loose ends, but materials for the expansion's curtains have been secured, sky backboards still missing from the staging yard entrances, and still have a short uncompleted section on the backside (adjacent to the helix).... but happy with the progress as of late.

Golden Spike Ceremony

...for the expansion project.  Well, it was only me running a couple trains around to make sure the upper deck was up to specs.  Drastic change from the old layout trackage configuration, which I'm sure all will enjoy.  All mainline track wiring is completed, and Ray's help on block detection and power districts significantly helped reduce build time.

 We've been working on the signaling for Hampton and Gilchrist Jct. which will complete the CTC system additions for the expansion.  Hampton turnouts are operational via the new TC64 I/O controller, and are currently running ribbon cable for the signal outputs.  Signal repeaters will be operational first, as still short a few signals, but we are getting closer on our own H2 signal head project (more later).

The expansion adds a whole new atmosphere to the layout, compared to where previously one could stand in the middle of the room, and operate a train without having to move for much other than a better vantage point of signal indications. That with the installation of the center divider now in place, operators are forced to walk with their train a bit more, giving the overall layout a much stronger walk around feature to it.

The center divider breaks up the layout and makes it seem a lot bigger than before, but it does end abruptly near the end of the peninsula.  I wanted a slim vertical line at the end of the backdrop where it stops, which would have been difficult to mask by using a 2X2 sandwiched by a couple sheets of masonite.  To achieve the desired effect, I chose to use a single sheet of tempered hardboard, with shelf brackets in strategic locations as supports.  To camouflage the brackets, there will be forested hills rising up toward the center of the divider, with careful placement of conifers in front of support brackets.  There will be a tall pine buried in the point of the divider, as well as a set of block signals in the foreground to help distract the viewer's attention.  Debating on the use of similar tree placement where there are abrupt corners, vs bending a sheet of styrene to conceal the 90 degree backdrop angles...

 Above, on far upper left at base of center divider will be the Gilchrist lumber mill, which is the end of the KN shortline.  The SP Gilchrist Jct will be on the right rear side of the backdrop for the KN interchange.  Iphone image makes it difficult to see the shortline subroadbed grade, but it makes about a two inch climb over its near 15' run between the two small yards. 

Some progress on the fascias around Hampton.  Once all the lower deck sections of fascia are in, I will fall back and paint them all black also, followed by the same curtains that are already in place on the existing sections of the layout.  Will have to revisit station name and MP marker location labeling, as well as color coded line diagrams on fascias.  Eventually attention will move from Hampton upward.

No solid plans after we finish up the electrical side, but got plenty to keep me busy.

Oregon Division Timetable Hits the Presses

With the expansion getting closer to being put into full service, I've been plugging away on the Timetable that had been put on hold for so long.  The General Rules had grown to three pages (which was a bit intimidating to newcomers), so I reworked them back to the basics, and consolidated the remaining rules and  instructions into the new Timetable.  Multiple copies will be placed around the layout during ops, as well as having pages available on the blog here.  The TT cover was scanned from an SP original and printed on colored card stock to match the proto design, but have some name changes adjacent to the appropriate division offices to implicate fellow operators.  Pages inside were configured very similar to the original format, but instead reflecting the actual workings of the layout here as needed.  Inside the cover includes the typical pages of Special Instructions (for the Division as well as the Subdivision), a modified Station listing that coincides with the layout, and a copy of the original SP division map.  Additional pages were added to help operators, including signal configuration chart, as well as a layout track chart.  The rear cover is printed on the same colored card stock, but has changes to the oral authorization to make access to this info easier.  Future pages will appear as the layout grows more, like planned scanner and dragger detector information page, etc.  A more revised version of the station listing page might appear soon, in an effort to get that page a bit closer to the original TT configuration. A fun piece of work that adds another dimension to the overall layout during operating sessions.  I have updated the "Insight on Operations" page with the revised General Rules, latest form changes, and also added the Timetable pages there.  Visit this link to view the "Insight on Operations" page. 

Back to working on the RR...     :)

SD9 Sound Unit Stall Issue Resolved

As we were running some test trains over the layout for the first time in months, we noticed that the two SD9s were acting up again.... but finally a new clue arose to help pursue the cause.  They had been overly sensitive to power drop-out, making the decoders reset with the slightest power interruption.  Now these units were resetting when an adjacent power district went into overload mode.  In other words, if a train in a different sub district on the PM42 shorted out, the PM42 would cycle its overload relays, which caused a power drop or sag in the sub district that the SD9s were in.  Unlike any other unit on the layout utilizing the same decoder board, this demonstrated that these decoders were not fixed as previously hoped.  After trying an experiment with super-caps to make a temporary keep-alive circuit (as Ray has been installing in some other HO units), we did some extensive testing and were able to determine that the sound level output on these two units, had a direct relationship to the problem; but no matter what the sound settings, the units would only work reliably as long as they still had an oversize bank of capacitors attached.  After messing around long enough, I finally got to the point where I just cleared out the custom 567 sound project that I had previously installed, then loaded the Digitrax GP38 file back into the decoder instead.  Problem solved!  It appears that it was a corrupt sound file causing the stall issue, or an unknown sound CV setting?  Lot of lost hours in getting these sound units back in reliable running order, but glad to know operators will be able to run the local jobs from now on without issue... even if they don't have the correct sound project for now.