Week 153

Week 153

Sunday, July 2, 2017 thru Saturday, July 8, 2017

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Neal, Geena, Alan, Christian, and Becca as well as Susanna and Landon stopped by the house today for a visit.

Here's a picture of Landon trying to get captured by the train camera behind him

It was only a few minutes of trains and Landon asked, "Where are the Legos?"

So it was upstairs to the Legos. What fun!

That's Landon, Alan, Christian, and Papa Neal.

Monday, July 3, 2017

Rob Fair and Jordan stopped by tonight and this is what we did...

Rob Fair trouble-shooting why the lead engine on the CNW Coal Train derails at the switches.

 A short video of the Unit Coal Train

Length: 00:00:11sec

Jordan Osborn at the controls.

We decided to build Elmhurst station at this location.

Rob Fair preparing the base.

The base is in, but not with adhesive...yet.

Here we're extending the platform beyond the base.

A look at Central Control Tower.

More work putting the pieces together for Elmhurst Station.

We cut a pattern.

Here's the pattern and the cut out piece for Elmhurst Station.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Happy Independence Day

No trains today.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Dean Hatzis & Ed Nelson stopped by today.

Little did we know we would be spending the entire time troubleshooting what Rob Fair started Monday night.

Check this out...

Dean Hatzis and Ed Nelson troubleshooting that same problem we had Monday night.

Getting a closer look.

Length: 00:00:06sec.

Ed Nelson & Dean Hatzis working hard to solve the problem.
It turns out it was down here where the problem started.

I will take another picture tomorrow to show you the culprit.

See the gap in the far rail?
That was the culprit.
So Dean and I cut a small piece of rail and split the connector and wedged in the splicer.
Hopefully this will solve our CNW Unit Coal Train dilemma.

Friday, July 7, 2017
I'm really hitting Elmhurst Station hard today and a little more tomorrow.

Check out these progress shots...

They all look the same, so I'll detail with captions what's going on in each picture.

First I added the wood strip that holds in the "asphalt".

I had to wait a few hours so the glue would set with the weights to hold it down.

The wood frame is in now prepare the base for the first layer.

I missed taking the glue under the first layer.
This is layer 1.

Next I put on the glue for layer 2 which will be used to bring up the level to match the sidewalk for the station.

I used a layer of "asphalt" (the three triangles) to make up the difference.

Next I put glue on the asphalt and then put the "sidewalk" pieces on top for layer 3.

Then I checked the dimensions to make sure the station would fit in nice and tight.
I also cut the piece for the extension of the 1st layer at the far end of the station platform.

The weights are next to hold everything in place while the glue cures.
The base plate for the platform is now in place including the addition I mentioned in the previous picture's caption.

Now I'm working on the platform section that runs along the tracks - between the tracks and the building.
The glue is in place for layer 2.

Layer two in place.

Layer 2 with glue applied ready for "asphalt" layer 3.

There we have it. The platform is in place and ready for more detailing tomorrow.

Saturday, July 8, 2017
I didn't work a  lot on Elmhurst Station, but just enough to make some progress.

Here are two pictures to prove it...

The only change in this picture is the removal of the weights.

Here's the station platform with the sidewalk surrounding the station.
Our next step is to mix a concrete color paint mix and paint the sidewalk sections on the station as well as the sidewalk sections surrounding the station.
Hopefully I'll get to that next week in Week 154!
I also want to install lights in the station and lamps for lighting the station platform.

Next week is VBS Week at Lord of Life Church

I had to cancel both trains dates.

Hopefully I can continue to make progress and update the blog.

So keep checking and remember to stay on track!

Week 152

Week 152

Sunday, June 25, 2017 thru Saturday, July 1, 2017

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Jordan stopped by this afternoon for a couple of hours and helped me wire up some platform and street lights.

Here's a look at what we did...

Here's Jordan Osborn using his tablet to capture the moment. 

We finished wiring the platform lights at Geneva Station.

I took this night scene of the new lights (with flash).

Same night scene without the flash - a little different angle.

When I first wired up the street lights at Western Avenue they didn't work.
Later in the evening I went back to the basement to do some trouble-shooting and found the problem.
Here's the final test shot.
Hopefully Rob Fair and Jordan and I can finish up wiring the Western Avenue Streetlights tomorrow.

Jordan Osborn took this shot with his tablet after I finished wiring and testing the platform lights at Geneva Station.

Monday, June 26, 2017
We had a special guest come tonight.
He lives in the neighborhood and used to work with Rob Fair.
Small World.

His Name?

Oh yeah, Bob Bendeich

He was instrumental tonight in some troubleshooting we had to do.

Check out these pics.

 Rob Fair got busy with wiring up the Western Avenue Street Lights.

 Jordan Osborn, says, "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"

Jordan Osborn shows off some new organizational material to keep things straight.

 Rob Fair continues down the line connecting the wires to light up Western Avenue.

 And HERE's our special guest, Bob Bendeich.

 He played a major role in figuring out why the Track Cleaning Car derailed at the Grusome Casket Company.

Putting some more light on the subject.

The Three Amigos saying good-bye for the night.

Great work MEN!

Last but not least, here are some shots of the lights on Western Avenue that Rob Fair wired up tonight...

Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Wow! What a night!

It started off with Ed and me running trains from 4-5:30pm

I was the engineer tonight, while Ed checked the four signal bridges for clearance.

We did find some signal bridges that needed some work...

Here is Ed Nelson cutting some base plates for the signal bridges.
They needed additional height clearance for the camera car.

 Ed Nelson making the adjustments at South Power District Signal Bridge.

Putting the SPD Signal Bridge in place.
You can see the camera car and the track cleaning car in the foreground.

Today marks my Mom and Dad's 65th wedding anniversary and my brother, Neal's 64th birthday.
What a treat to have them all over for dinner and trains tonight.

Check out these fun photos and video.

Thanks to Geena for these great shots!!!

Look how attentive the boys are as I explain who has what train.

As Neal keeps Becca from getting burned on the lamp.

Still paying attention...

Final instructions.

A view from the rear.

We're getting ready to run some trains.

This is a view from the South Power District of the layout.

You can see the camera car in front of the Metra Commuter train.

Central Control Tower in full operation.

Christian being very very patient.

This is a view of the East Power District of the layout.

Check out this video that Geena shot during our family operating session tonight...

YouTube Video
2 min. 10 sec.
Click on the link above...

This is a cute series of photos.
I had no idea what was about to happen.

Christian puts the "drawbridge" down.

Now it's UP.

Oops. It came down a bit too early and knocked over a commuter coach car just as a freight was coming by.

Whoa! Those passengers are getting quite a ride.
Be careful we still have a freight train rolling by.

We'll wait for the freight train to pass.

Then we'll put everything back on the track.

No one was badly injured and no equipment was lost in the process.