Week 385

 Sun, Dec 12 thru Sat, Dec 18, 2021

Sun, Dec 12, 2021

Working on Wiring for Crossover 2.5

Under-the-table switch machine mounted but not secured.

Same thing for the other crossover switch.

Both switch machines shown mounted under-the-table.

Now let's take a look on the top side.
You can see the peg from the bottom through the tie that aligns the switch on both switches.

A close up view of the peg and the extended switch handle which I am going to snip off.

Switch handle cut off. Compare with above photo.

This switch handle also cut off.

Mon, Dec 13, 2021

Train Day!

w/Rob Fair & Jordan Osborn

6-8:15pm 2.25 hrs.

Unsuccessful install of under-the-table switch machines.

I'm going to wait on this project and try again later...

Here's what we did tonight...

Jordan always starts out the night sorting the paperwork making sure everything is in order.

Rob and I are going to work on the crossover switch machines and see if we can get them installed AND working.

Had some trouble with the clips slipping. Rob glued them to make them more secure.

Not so fun, but has to get done - under-the-table.

Oops! Jordan and I had a little run-in on the power switch.

Not a happy camper for about 1 minute.

Jordan accidently had his elbow on the switch machine controller. I went ballistic under the table because the switch machine was buzzing which, I knew from experience, can cause the motor to burn out. I got a little loud which didn't go over too good with my buddy. We got over it and finished the night strong!

We got so frustrated with the switch machine install, we thought we'd run some trains to end on a positive note.

Jordan will pick up these four cars using the "Hawk" while Rob brings the front of Train 5B to pick them up for their return to Proviso Yard.

Rob Fair pulling out Train 5B from Proviso Yard

Duration: 00:00:30 sec.

Jordan Osborn getting the "Pick Ups" ready

Duration: 00:00:30 sec.

Forward part of Train 5B heading back to Proviso Yard

Duration: 00:00:30 sec.

All things considered, still having fun running trains.
Have a good night!

Tue, Dec 14, 2021

Cleaning up from yesterday...

More tools to put away.

All of this was from yesterday's train session.

There you go. All cleaned up!

Wed, Dec 15, 2021

I decided to change from under-the-table switch machines to over-the-table switch machines.

Video of Over-the-Table Switch Machines in action.

Duration: 00:00:32 sec.

Gluing down the base of the new switch machines.

Thu, Dec 16, 2021

Remember the arms I cut off a couple of days ago?
Well, here they are glued back on for the over-the-table switch machines.

This is the other switch of the crossover.

Fri, Dec 17, 2021

Installing the over-the-table switch machines.

Re-routing the wires to the new switch machines.

Once I have them installed I will test to be sure they work on the layout.

This is the other switch machine of the crossover.

Sat, Dec 18, 2021

Running the Unit Coal Train 2A EB back to the Melrose Park Power Plant

Labeling the train parts to 2A (f, mf, mm, mr, 

I'll go ahead and label these cars on this end.

I've emptied the coal loads and ready for the return trip to PRB for some more coal.