Week 394

 Sun, Feb 13, 2022 thru Sat, Feb 19, 2022

Sun, Feb 13, 2022

Produced a Special Edition Operations Video tonight

Click this link to view YouTube Video

Duration: 00:07:24 min.

Here's the Cars in Consist worksheet from tonight's operations.

Mon, Feb 14, 2022

Train Day! and also Valentine's Day!

w/Rob Fair and Jordan Osborn

6-8pm 2 hours

Let's try loading the Train Simulator software one more time.

Our meeting location to start tonight's session.

Look what came in the mail today!
The LocoBuffer-USB from RR-CirKits which allows 
the computer to communicate with the Digitrax Command Station. 

It took us about 30 minutes to figure out how to MU
the SD38-2 CNW locomotives to run Train 5A tonight.
Jordan views the whole ordeal from the command station.

We finally did it.
Jordan had to come down out of his nest to help us out.

Finally, the locomotives are in MU mode and running together.

Next up: Attach the caboose to the end of Train 5A.

Hooking up the caboose to the end of Train 5A

Duration: 00:00:22 sec.

Eastbound Mixed Freight Train 5A running by 

California Ave Metra Maintenance Facility 

Duration: 00:00:30 sec.

Mixed Freight Train 5A close up through the heart of Proviso Yard

Duration: 00:00:30 sec.

And before we ended tonight's session,
Jordan was able to download the Train Simulator software on the computer.
This will provide another avenue of fun for the RR.

Tue, Feb 15, 2022

Yesterday we had a problem with MU set up. In the time left for our session Rob Fair was able to finish  4 laps. Tonight, I finished the last lap and parked Mixed Freight Train 5A into the destination yard - PYUP tracks 1 & 3.

Here's the paperwork...

I switched throttles to DCS 51 and ran at throttle speed 2.5.
It took 9 min. and 48.19 seconds. That was a really slow pace.

Now I will record the data and print out a new sheet for next time we run Train 5A.

Wed, Feb 16, 2022

I need to finish up some paperwork before taking Ben to the airport...

Finished Running Mixed Freight Train 5A

Recorded the entries to the Train Performance Tab.

I FOUND A HUGE SURPRISE AFTER TAKING BEN TO THE AIRPORT IN THE BASEMENT AFTER RETURNING HOME...

WATER WATER EVERYWHERE WATER

DURATION: 00:00:30 sec.

MORE WATER

Duration: 00:00:30 sec.

Can you sense my frustration?

"What am I going to do?"

Duration: 00:00:26 sec.

Thu, Feb 17, 2022

Once the water cleared and dried up I tried to get back to work on the JMRI

(Java Model Railroad Interface) which allows the computer to communicate with the Command Station and thus, run train via computer. Pretty cool!

I still couldn't get it to work.

I finally figured out how to download the drivers and got it working.

Whew!

Fri, Feb 18, 2022

JMRI loading...

SPECIAL GUESTS tonight!

l.to r. Charlie, Henry, and Ida

Henry stayed long enough to get a picture taken.

Charlie and Ida stayed long enough to run a train until it was time for dinner.

Ida at the control for Mixed Freight Train 5D

Charlie asks about the buttons on the Command Station

Duration: 00:00:27 sec.

Ida stops train to check how long it takes to take a lap.

Duration: 00:00:11 sec.

Sat, Feb 19, 2022

Quite a day for trains...check this out...

My first entry on JMRI.
I will attempt to enter my roster in by order.
The first one had lots of errors.

I will try to figure out JMRI as I go...

Running Commuter Train 1A and Power A1 today. 

Also running Mixed Freight Train 5D today.

Trying to rid the room of the musty smell left over from all the water in the basement.
This candle is at the main discussion table.

I moved the same candle to the Powder River Basin table.

SPECIAL GUESTS TONIGHT

Joe Difiglio and Jack Fischer

Duration: 00:00:22 sec.

Jack Fischer bigger than life!

Jack Fischer, "Wassup?"

Duration: 00:00:10 sec.