Week 357

 Sun, May 30, 2021 thru Sat, Jun 5, 2021

Sun, May 30, 2021

No train activity today.

Mon, May 31, 2021

Train Day!

w/Jordan Osborn 5-6:30pm 1.5 hrs.

I need to remember to look at every picture I take to make sure it's clear, otherwise this is what happens.
Tonight I'm trying to install the new decoder into the CNW SD40-2 #6922.
Yep, that's the same engine Rob was working on last week.

But since I already have a CNW SD40-2 #6922 I need to change this number.
The new number is #6928. It's not very professional, but it will pass for now.

Jordan Osborn came along for the ride today!
Thanks for coming Jordan.

Tue, Jun 1, 2021

Look what showed up on my doorstep today!!!

A little bit of weathering is all that is needed.

Wed, Jun 2, 2021

I hooked up the two engines to see how they'll run together.

Here are the two engines matched together on the mainline

Length: 00:00:26 sec.

Jordan greeting and calling it a day.
See you again soon.

Thu, Jun 3, 2021

Tonight I switched some locomotives around and switched their storage tracks.

The UP Engine Facility.
Track 1a SW1500 #164 assigned to CT
 Track 1b GP50 #53 assigned to PYUP
Track 2 SD60M #6284, 6332 assigned to Road
Track 3 SD40-2 #2056, 3571a, 3571b assigned to Intermodal, 60 Train
Track 4 C44-9W #9660, 9564 assigned to Road
Track 5 AC6000 #7510 WB only intermodal or Specials
Track 6 Steam Excursion 2-10-2 #6306

The CNW Engine Facility
Track 1 GP9 #1518 assigned to Global 2
Track 2 SD40-2 #6928 assigned to PYCNW
Track 3 C40-8 #8559, 8526 assigned to Road
Track 4 C44-9W "Twins" #8718, 8659 assigned to Road
Track 5 GP38-2 #4615, 4634, 5053a, 5053b assigned to 1960s Train
Track 6 SD38-2 #6652, 6656 assigned to Road

Fri, Jun 4, 2021

Carlos Baez stopped by tonight with his wife, Lynn for dinner and trains...

Carlos stepped me through the process of installation of the decoder.

He gave me enough information that I'm confident I can finish the installation.

I definitely had some wires connected incorrectly. It was good to watch as Carlos went through the process step by step. I took a lot of mental notes and am looking forward to the finished product.

Sat, Jun 5, 2021

Locomotive work today...

Here's the diagram Carlos was working on last night...

According to the diagram, this is how I thought, after watching and listening to Carlos, this should work...

If you look at the diagram and the pin # corresponding to the wires, this should work.

And it does. I should get a video of the engine running.
Only three things I need to address:
1. Lights don't come on.
2. Need to figure out how to change the CV so sound will be diesel instead of default which is steam.
3. My ongoing problem is terrible sounds after putting the shell back on. UGH!

Finished with decoder and changing ID from 03 to 6928.
Still makes horrible sound when shell is securely attached.
When shell is loosely attached, no problem. Quiet as a mouse.

Also, attempting to install Digitrax decoder designed for a Kato installation into a Walthers locomotive of same kind (F40PH). Hopefully we can get this up and running soon too! I will need to figure out how to direct the lights (hopefully with tubes) to shine from the decoder to the light housing.