Week 47

Another Weekly Update

Making progress - slow but sure

Safety First

Saturday, June 6, 2015
We had some guests run the trains this afternoon. See next two pictures

Here's Engineer Josh (left) and Engineer Elijah (right) under the watchful care of their Dad (background).

Here they are again with their eyes on the track. Good work, men!

Friday, June 5, 2015 

I tried to figure out a work-around with the problem with spur line switch in the South Power District.

Total and complete failure.

I tried to manually fill the gap by the frog.
Since this is a WB Mainline, it may not even be an issue because the trains will be running right to left. Let's hope so. Otherwise I'll figure out a fill and just remove it when we're switching to the siding.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Train Crew Session

At the end of our session, we started running trains.

When we unexpectedly ran into, as Jordan would say, an "uh-oh".

At the spur line switch, both CNW SD38-2s derailed. 

Here are Dean Hatzis (with light) and Ed Nelson diagnosing the possible cause.

It was late in the day, so we did not find the cause of the derailment.

More to come...

 Ed Nelson's assignment this afternoon was to install three ground switches.

One here at the spur line to the grain elevator.

The other ground throw installation was at the spur line to another industry (yet to be determined) in the East Power District.

The final install was at the spur line in the South Power District - where the engines derailed. 

Could there be a possible link to the ground throw installation?

 Jordan Osborn's assignment was to convert the plastic wheel sets on the well cars to metal wheel sets.

As we proceded with the project, we decided to keep the plastic wheel sets and make available the metal wheel sets for other car conversions.

 That leaves us with Carlos Baez and Dean Hatzis.

They worked on moving the EB main a few inches over to make way for a station platform.

And why this happened? I'll let Carlos explain in the next video...

Carlos Baez explaining why we had to rip up the Cork for the EB main in this section only.

Not sure who the "Chief Engineer" is, but his job may be in jeopardy.

We had a minor interruption in our train operations this afternoon.

My wife, Jan Berg, came down to get witness signatures for our Five Wishes document.

Little do the guys know, they just signed their intent to take care of Jan and me for the rest of our living days.

I'm just kidding. 

Oh you knew that? 

You're so smart!

-------------------------------------

Just in case we need a picture of the switches on this part of the layout, here's a layout schematic for easy reference.

Week 46

Week 46 Progress Report

Most Recent on top

Latest on the bottom

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Fixed South Power District Crossover

Also began to run wire for power of same crossover

Here are some pics...

 Carlos Baez troubleshooting the South Power District Crossover

 Here's Carlos working under the table running wire which will power the South Power District Crossover.

 BEFORE

No power switches under dimmer switches.

 AFTER

Note: See the power switches now mounted below the dimmer switches.

Just a little better lighting...

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Returned items to B&G TrainWorld

Exchanged wheel sets to ones that match

returned Micro-Mark Truck Tuner

Bought another box car.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Troubleshooting South Power District Crossover

 Dave Worley helping troubleshoot the South Power District Crossover

Still working on the South Power District Crossover.

 Dangling switch machines under the South Power District Crossover

Distant look at South Power District crossover as WB CNW mixed freight train waits for green signal.

A video review of today's "mess". Commentary by Curt Berg

Week 45

We're still laying cork on the branch lines and yards.

Here's the progress this week.

Saturday, May 23, 2015
Bought paint for Intermodal Crane Kit at HobbyTown

Friday, May 22, 2015
Went to B&G TrainWorld in Elgin and bought the following:
Atlas 33" Freight wheel set (12)
Micro-Mark Truck Tuner
Tomar Industries Bumping Post

Wednesday's Train Crew session

We started off running trains. 

Then we started our projects.

Here are the pictures of Men Working...

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

 Carlos Baez laying the cork trackbed for Proviso Yard West.

 Ed Nelson laying the first track in Proviso West Bound trackage.

Here's an action shot of Jordan Osborn installing under-the-table switch machines for the crossover switches. 

 Another action shot of Carlos.

And one more of Ed.

Sunday, May 17, 2015
We had unexpected guests drop in tonight.

I met Jorge several years ago when he worked for Buck Services
and did the cleaning at Lord of Life Church.

He was a fabulous worker and we've become good friends.
Here's his family...

 Kevin (youngest son), Jorge, Brayan (oldest son)

 This is Isaac, Brayan's son.

Here is Anna (Jorge's esposa), Brayan's wife, and my wife, Jan.

We ran trains and had a great time!

Week 44

Basement Train Layout Progress Report

for Week 44

Most recent on top

Latest on the bottom

Saturday, May 16, 2015

 Jordan Osborn helped me install the grain elevator spur track.

 Here's Jordan before we put down the foam board.

 Jordan Osborn after placing down the foam board.

Check out the Grain Elevator.
We had a delivery of two grain cars by a CNW GP9
(out of view, although you can see it in the picture just above this one).

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

 We started off the afternoon session troublshooting the intermodal car derailment.

 Carlos Baez got on it and solved the problem.

Not sure how, but we got it back on track.

 Dean Hatzis and Ed Nelson continued work on the Intermodal Crane.

It's a beast. Won't buy another one of these.

 Jordan Osborn and Carlos Baez worked on laying corktrackbed for Proviso Yard.

 Finishing touches on the Eastbound section of Proviso Yard.

Hello, Dean, Let's see that great smile.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Jordan Osborn and Curt Berg secured additional mainline track which was purchased at the May  train show in Wheaton. 

We added some trackage to the eastbound track section.

Sorry, no pictures for today.

Monday, May 11, 2015

I went to Hobby Lobby to purchase the 3/32" Cork for the Yard Trackbed

Week 43

Banner WEEK!

We finished laying mainline track for all westbound freight/commuter traffic. 

Most recent on top

Latest on the bottom...

Saturday, May 9, 2015
So, last night I ran the train around the wb loop twice.
Each time one car derailed by the crossover near Global 1.
Dave Worley stopped by today and helped me trouble shoot the problem.

 Here's Dave Worley assessing the situation.

Here he is getting a close look.
Yes, he did figure out the problem.
One of the trucks needed to be loosened up.
No more derailments!
Thanks Dave!


Wednesday, May 6, 2015

 Jordan Osborn and Curt Berg will finish the westbound mainline loop tonight!

Ed Nelson continues his concentration and perseverance with Global 1 Crane kit.

 Carlos Baez and Dean Hatzis team up to finish laying the yard lead cork trackbed.

 Carlos has the adhesive down, now it's time to lay the cork.

 The final stake to complete the westbound mainline loop.

Love this picture of Carlos in the "well".

Here's a video of the intermodal train making the first westbound trip around the layout.


Tuesday, May 5, 2015

 I'm at the southeast corner of the layout looking north.
Making progress laying westbound mainline loop.

 This is how far we laid the mainline track tonight.

Here's a shot looking west at the elevated track (on the right) and Proviso yard eastbound and westbound.

Monday, May 4, 2015

 Jordan Osborn getting ready to lay more westbound mainline track.

 Checking to be sure the Intermodal train in background will have power when it moves into the North Power District.

Check this out. You can see both ends of the westbound mainline track.
It won't be long before the loop will be complete.

Sunday, May 3, 2015
Went to the train show today and bought Atlas Mainline Track. One #4L switch and one crossing.
Spent $102.25. Mostly on Track.