Sun, Oct 5, 2025 thru Sat, Oct 11, 2025
Sun, Oct 5, 2025
Finished uploading video to YouTube
To view this video go back to Week 583 Blog and check out the link in Saturday's entry
Mon, Oct 6, 2025
Train Day!
w/Rob Fair 6-8pm 2 hrs.
Jordan Osborn 6-7:15pm 1.25 hrs.
We worked at the workbench all night trying to install a decoder into a CNW C40-8 locomotive...
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| Rob begins tonight's project by test fitting the motor & flywheels into place |
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| Jordan joins the group with a cheerful greeting |
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| Back at the workbench... Rob has wired up the motors and we're ready to test it on the track. |
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| After the test failed, we realized we need to wire up the motors AND the track wires where the "juice" is need to power the decoder |
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| We worked hard to use the screws to wrap the wire around, but that turned out to be a problem. The screw twisted the wire and after disassembly the wire broke off. Oops! |
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| At about 7:15pm it was time for Jordan to take off... |
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| We did finally get a test drive in on the tracks, but found out there was a grinding sound. Back to the drawing board... |
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| Rob ended up taking the locomotive apart after noticing the motor sat crooked on the frame. |
We'll pick up on this project next week.
Tue, Oct 7, 2025
No train activity today.
Wed, Oct 8, 2025
Yes, train activity today!
Started early this morning...
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| I'm going to try to fix this switch instead of replacing with a new switch. Less work. |
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| I will glue the rail to the tie and hopefully the tie will stay together when the switch is thrown |
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| I came back this afternoon and had to reglue, but after regluing it stuck and is operational! YES! |
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| This switch at the entrance to the Powder River Basin has been dysfunctional for months. Time to replace! |
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| I did a complete overhaul - replacing the previous switch with a new one shown here |
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| After installing I painted the directional sides of the switch... |
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| ...Green for MAIN... |
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| ...and RED for DIVERGENT. I also painted the stands black. |
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| Another project for the week... |
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| ...installing the plexiglass in front of the shed. |
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| I will mark tonight's work as 3/4 hrs. on the timeline. |
Thu, Oct 9, 2025
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| I need to drill out the hole so I can anchor the screw through the plexiglass and the facia |
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| Cleaned it up a bit. Looks better, but may a bit more cleaning on the left panel |
Marcus stopped by to paint the blocks.
See Marcus Project video on adding blocks for the extended tracks at
the California Avenue Coach Yard
Fri, Oct 10, 2025
Special Guests
Mark & Laura Scheidt
Long time friends originally from Wheaton now living in Glendale Heights
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| Mark & Laura at Powder River Basin |
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| Mark & Laura at the other end of the layout |
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| Laura even took a picture of me! |
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| Then we had another treat... Jan came down to enjoy the party |
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| The four of us: Laura, Mark, Me & Jan |
Sat, Oct 11, 2025
Just a little more prep work on the RR getting ready for tomorrow...
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| I finished wiring up the switch to turn the isolated track on and off as needed. |
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| A view from a different perspective |
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| Getting ready for special guests tomorrow. I will run the Excursion Train... |
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| ...and the Amtrak Train. |
to view Weekly Layout Update YouTube Video
Duration: 08:21 mins.
Description
What's ON Track this Week?
*Switch Repair at the Powder River Basin
*Switch Stand replacement at the Powder River Basin entrance
*Adding Plexiglass at the UP Engine Facility
*Marcus - New scenery project teaser: Intro; dry brushing; BONUS - Wood Train
*Wired up new isolated track switch at Chicago Terminal Track 4
*Future Project: wire up feeder wires to bus wires at Chicago Terminal Tracks
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