Week 440

 Sun, Jan 1, 2023 thru Sat, Jan 7, 2023

Sun, Jan 1, 2023

I loaded the intermodal cars with loads.

Ready for another run whenever we're ready...

Here are some pictures of Global 1

Every part of Intermodal Train 2B is loaded and ready
for the next run.

The articulated 5-car section to the left of the crane
is the one we need to test - that's the set I installed
new metal wheel sets on and needs to be tested.

I also added a few more semi-tractors/trailers leaving
the yard at Global 1.

Here's a nice overall view from
the east looking west.

And here is the opposite view from
the west looking east.
Western Avenue is in the foreground
which is a north/south route.

Mon, Jan 2, 2023

Train Day!

w/Rob Fair & Jordan Osborn

6-8pm 2 hrs.

We started the night with some education...

I reviewed the Signal Rules & Guidelines.
The students took it all in and both received 100% on their certification...

...which earned them a Certificate of Completion
which I will hang up proudly in the train room tbd.

Jordan Osborn hitting the paperwork pretty hard tonight.

Rob Fair working on the guts of the DC Analog
locomotives. Getting ready for new decoders.

We ran a couple of laps with the Intermodal Train 2B to test the wheel sets.

Duration: 00:00.31 sec.

Here's the Intermodal Train coming around the bend...

Duration: 00:00.31 sec.

The last part of the train passes by...

Duration: 00:00.17 sec.

Three locomotives with DCC-ready boards exposed.

The Intermodal passes behind West Chicago Station

Duration: 00:00.31 sec.

Rob wrapping up tonight by parking the Intermodal
Train 2B into Global 1

Here are the 6 locomotives Rob dismantled to prepare
to change them from DC to DCC by adding decoders.

Jordan making a splash before we call it a night.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023

Working on more educational courses tonight...

Like pennants hanging from the rafters at stadiums,
here are the education certificates earned last week
hanging from the rafters of the train room.

Another perspective...

Working on another course offering of RR education.

Wed, Jan 4, 2023

Stopped by B&G Train World and bought 4 more decoders...

These will fit the four (4) KATO C44-9W locomotives.

I also worked on the educational materials.

I improved the 3-ring notebook and the materials.

We now have 3 courses to choose from.

1. Rule Book Job Descriptions

2. Signal Operations

3. Train Cars in Consist

Thu, Jan 5, 2023

Special Guests

Chris & Jordan Osborn

Jordan shows a brick cobblestone roadway his dad
purchased at B&G for Oak Park Marion Street pavement.

And here's Chris, Jordan's Dad checking out the layout.

Here's the item they purchased at B&G Train World.

The street laid out for size and distance.

The dynamic duo!

Chris is now certified in Signal Operations on the
UP Geneva Sub

OOPS! I messed up. 

The Commuter Train took the #1 crossover 

I didn't expect to be thrown.

Duration: 00:00.17 sec.

Commuter Train 1A coming into Melrose Park Station

                                        Commuter Train 1A stopping at Bellwood Station.

Duration: 00:00.30 sec.

Final lap to Geneva Station

Duration: 00:00.30 sec.

Fri, Jan 6, 2023

No train activity today.

Sat, Jan 7, 2023

Rounding out the week with some paperwork...

I made tabs for the three different categories we will
be using for Train Education.

The Three Categories are...

1. Rule Book Job Descriptions

2. Signal Operations

3. Train Cars in Consist

I'm going to limit the class size to 4 students.
I made a chart to see how many copies of each section
I will need to keep the Education Notebook complete.

I also marked down which locomotives
will receive which corresponding decoder.
I also updated the locomotive manuals.

On the decoder manuals I wrote in which locomotives
received which decoder. On Monday, during Train Day,
I will update JMRI accordingly.