Update on the new switch lead & river crossing...

So after adding the new timber frame to the duck under and cutting out the plywood top I decided to continue on and place the new switch lead bridge that crosses the Susquehanna River and install the river canyon into the timber frame work.

The river is cut into about half of the timber frame work and contoured to provided a steep and gradual slope on either side.  The bottom will have a 3mm - 1/8" plywood bottom placed onto it and padded to stop those pesky head strikes on angled timber.

I also had time to install the front fascia for this section too...

The fascia continues the theme from the rest of the layout although a little shorter.

Jas...

Construction of the new switch lead & bridge crossing...

So while waiting for the other double slip switch to arrive to complete Rutherford Yard track work I decided to start building the new frame work for the extension to the duck under.

The decision to extend the duck under was to allow the new switch lead for Rutherford Yard to extend across the main aisle of the layout to the locomotive service facility above the dispatchers desk.  

The original version of the mainline bridge crossing from Harrisburg to Carlisle Junction over the Susquehanna River was designed to be lifted out if needed.  And since starting five years ago the lift out has maybe been out twice.  So the decision to make it permanently fixed has been made.

The existing frame work is quite sturdy so it only requires a little more to be added too.  The pine timber is 120mm x 19mm and is covered with 12mm plywood, the river contour will be cut out at a later stage.

First step was to add the extra pine frame work:

The new frame work and existing is screwed back into the major benchwork, and if really needed could be removed at a later date.

Next step was to add the plywood top:

The addition of the new switch lead required the deepening & widening of the lead running in the bench work next to the mainline.  It also required the alteration of the plywood that was placed in the wall cavity to stop locos & rolling stock taking the long drop down to the floor.

Once the grade and alignment was set it was time to add the Midwest Cork Roadbed, then once this had set to the bench work the grade had to be levelled to remove any undulations.

Then when this was correct the track work was added and checked along with the radius of the curve.

When I was happy with the track, roadbed, grade and radius of the curve it was time to setup the location of the new truss bridge.  Fortunately the new bridge will be the same Walthers - Single Track Truss Bridge, so setting up was a matter of using the existing one for reference.

Next stage will be the installation of the remaining cork roadbed and track work...

Jas.

New Rutherford Yard Design & Altered Track...

Inline with the updated post below with the altered track plan, here a few photos of the new track work install.

I have installed one of the new PECO Code 75 - Double Slip Switches in the yard leads (north & south) that will allow both the southern & northern classification tracks to use the new switch lead (orange track).

The below plan shows the tracks and use (colour coded) along with some measurements of each...

The track work being altered and installed, this is the northern yard lead (right side) and the new switch lead to the left (coming off the dbl slip).  The double slip allows for either of the three northern classification tracks to be switched onto the switch lead.

The north switch lead is 4.4 metres (14.4') long and is as long as any of the classification tracks.

The second double slip switch allows movement between both the northern & southern arrival/departure tracks and classification tracks, and shortens the existing crossovers that were installed by half.

By installing the double slips within the classification area of the yard we have also lengthened some of the classification tracks with the removal of excess crossovers too.

Next stage is to wait for one more double slip to arrive and install the remaining track, wire up and test out ready for another ops session.

A few alterations to the track plan...

After last Tuesday nights Ops session Brendan and I were talking about a few little addition to the new Rutherford Yard area that would make it operate easier and add to the operations side of the layout.

So over the last few days I have been playing around with the configuration of the track on the Rutherford Yard leads and made a few little additions, some more permanent additions and added some more structures.

Below is the new version of the track plan in full:

This plan has been updated (30/01/16) to included two PECO Code 75 - Double Slip Switches, these and a few alterations to the track arrangement in the yard/switch leads will make the operations of the yard a lot more efficient.

The biggest additions to the track work are an extra spur/yard lead that now comes off the northern tracks of Rutherford Yard and heads over the Susquehanna River into the engine service facility.

It adds an additional bridge crossing over the river and will see the existing lift out bridge removed and changed to permanent benchwork with the bridges and track realigned and redone too.

Below is a close up view of the area with the additional yard lead, bridge and river crossing and connection into the service facility.

Again this plan is a blown up section of the new plan above...

The addition of the yard lead which also enters the service facility ends up adding some improved ops capability by allowing locomotives to offload their cars into the yard then shoot out one the lead into the facility for refuelling, sanding and/or maintenance.

It will also allow the yard switchers to use it for storing a cut of cars or blocking duties with fouling the northern main anymore.

In all relatively small change but with some great value add options to the overall layout operating scheme.

And lastly I have also made a small alteration to the York - Pulp & Paper Mill with the addition of a wood chip unloading spur to the south of the pulp wood sidings.

Jas...

Another Ops Session & Rutherford Yard Test...

So Tuesday night was our semi-regular ops session again for the first time in 2016.

Unfortunately as we were busy problem solving and entertaining I didn't get any ops photos or videos.  Next ops session there will be both...

We had our regular crew of Noel, Dennis & Brendan, and a first time visit from Greg who is also within the greater Melbourne N Scale group.  Noel also brought along his friends from South Australia - Warren and his son Charlie.

The night started out fairly slowly with our usual light hearted banter and catch-up conversation from what we had all done over the festive season.
Brendan and I identified a issue with the LocoNet and one of the BDL's presenting with some odd behaviour.

In the end the BDL issue was problem solved down to being none of them had been set to be the BDL master on the LocoNet.  Problem solved by Dr DCC himself Brendan after the session had finished.  Greatly appreciated all your help too Brendan!

The rest of the night sore the guys running trains over the entire layout without to many hiccups or issues.  Greg seemed to spend a fair amount of time on the completed Reading branch switching locals around.  Noel chaperoned Warren & Charlie around whilst Charlie ran a few locals with him.

Brendan seemed to have the most fun, and was clearly the "BOL" (Best On Layout) for moving freight.  He also gave the yard a good workout, and we also identified some additions to it that will make it operate better and add value to the layout ops as well.

A very enjoyable night was had by all!

At the end of the night, and everyone had left I grabbed the iPhone and WiThrottle and switched Rutherford Yard for about 45 mins, it's only ever going to be a small classification yard for a couple of locals and maybe a full consist train but it's going to be a lot of fun too.

This is how it ended up looking...

Jas...

Rutherford Yard track work complete...

Last night I managed to finish off the remaining track work and get most of the wiring done too.

The first local ran across the yard successfully and all I have to do is wire in a few more feeders to pick up the track after some of the crossovers and the yard is ready for tonights ops session.

More soon...

Rutherford Yard trackwork almost complete...

So after a lengthy session last night and into the early hours of this morning I managed to get 95% of the Rutherford Yard track work in.

Once the first radius was marked, positioned and secured using push pins the remaining yard tracks just had to measured from the first and secured in place with more track pins.

I used a 2" (50mm) centre on centre measurement for the track spacing.  The remaining track work went in rather quickly after this, and all the remained was to install the crossovers that sit at about halfway on the yard.

The north yard ladder is installed, along with the runaround track and the start of the Wood Chip Mill spur too.

Hopefully the remainder will be installed tonight, and the wiring installed tomorrow along with the PSX-AR as the yard leads (north & south) form a wye at Harrisburg & Rutherford.

Jas...

More work on Rutherford Yard...

So last night I continued on with the Rutherford Yard track work and extension.

The first step was to get the line in for the Wood Chip Mill which is now independent of the yard ladder and track work.  This is the first curve for the yard and it sets the minimum radius, the radius for this track is 28"R and is the minimum.

I use a Ribbon Rail - Alignment Gauge to set the first curve.  The remaining yard tracks are set from the first and are spaced at 2" (50mm) centre to centre.  Once the first is set its a matter of measuring from the first track.

Next stage was to check if the yard ladder, and escape track had enough room as per the plan.  I placed the yard ladder, runaround track and measured the end escape spur before anymore track is permanently installed.

Next stage is to place down the cork sub-roadbed and install the yard tracks...

Jas.

Rutherford Yard Extension...

So the next stage of the layout build is to start the extension and finish off the track work for Rutherford yard.  The yard currently has the north & south yard leads in and the beginning of the yard tracks.  

I've decided to complete this at this stage as we have also begun the first stages of designing the operating scheme for the layout, without the yard this would be very difficult to check train lengths and holding capacities.

The south tracks feed out into Rutherford & Manheim & North tracks lead out to Shippensburg & York.

In order to maximise the space available I decided to do a plan in AnyRail to see what we could get to work.

The above plan shows Rutherford in the grand scheme of the layout and how it feeds out onto the layout.

The plan for the yard below is the first draft and may be changed once I get the track onto the physical bench work, and after its first operating session. 

(the above & below plans is updated as of 9/1/16)

By running the yard tracks around the corner I've actually extended most by anywhere between 4' - 8' in length from the original design.  I've also managed to get another industry into the end section, this will be a wood chip mill providing wood chips to the York - Pulp & Paper Mill.

Although the yard is not perfect and it actually finishes at the north end, it should sustain two operators for some hours switching and classifying rolling stock into locals, blocking outbound unit, freight & extra trains to be ran across the layout to the other staging yard (yet to be built) and loading the wood chip mill.

Hopefully over the next few days we can get the remainder of track work in.

Jas...

Under Layout Lighting...

So last night I decided to spend an hour two building the housing for our under layout lighting.

Because the underneath portion of the layout will be used for storage and eventually some staging I wanted to install some LED's under it so that as I'm wiring and installing the signals & detections its already in and running.

My folks got me a 75W transformer and two 5 metre (16.5') strings of LED's.  Because the transformer has screw connections on the 240V active that could be touched I wanted to place it in an enclosure.

The case is a plastic electronics case from Jaycar, it hold the transformer with enough room to get the wiring in and allow for ventilation around the edges.

The case has a sealed lid but I actually cut out the opening to the same dimensions as the transformer making sure the wiring connections were covered.

Quick test to ensure everything is wired correctly and working...  These LED's are very bright.

Case lid cut out and installed and ready to be placed under the layout...

Jas...

More Signal Mast work...

So last night I began installing the Bivar Tri-Coloured LED's into a Tomar - H-873 Double Head Searchlight Signal.

The Bivar LED's are easier to install in the searchlights as the have more room in the back of the searchlight housing.  I will be using the RR CirKits LED's on the Tomar Dwarf Signals and the Tomar - Triple Searchlight Masts.

The best part about the Double Head masts is that I can actually fit all eight LED wires (common, red, yellow, green) in the mast tube.  When I install them in a Triple Head Searchlight I will have to use 36AWG wire or magnet wire.

The existing Bivar 1/8" - 3mm Light Pipes are able to be used in the Tomar Searchlights too, they again in stopping the surface of LED being seen and help provide a constant even light from them.

The end result for the colour is pretty good, not quite as good as the RRCirKits colours especially the green & yellow.  But at least they are much better than using the old Bi-Coulured ones.

                

Next stage is to connect them to JMRI and adjust the output and resistor value and program them into the Panel Pro - Panel...

Merry Christmas & Safe and Happy New Year to all following our blog throughout the year.

Jas...

Programming more signals today...

Well today started out a little interestingly, after our inaugural ops session the other night we noticed a small glitch occurring on one of the BDL's.  It was showing a phantom sense on several of the blocks.

After a fair bit of investigation I narrowed it down to the last block feed either getting some form of inductance from other feeds nearby and/or the BDL's being set to a High Threshold Sense mode.

The LocoNet is now stable again and performing as it should, hopefully no more issues.

After this it was time to install a few more signals onto the Centre Peninsula.  It's quite a process to put one double head mast onto the Panel:

Create a Signal Head (or two for dual head masts) which involves entering for SE8C addresses for head (so thats eight addresses for a two head mast).

Create a Mast using the Signal Heads.  This involves adding the two heads to the one mast, then setting the signal rules from JMRI.

Then we create the mast for the Panel Pro Panel and add it in edit mode.

These are the screens required to input the heads, masts and finished signals onto the panel and control the layout...

The process looks complicated but once shown, and when you have added a few JMRI really does make it quite easy to add them.

Jas...

JL&T Railroad's - First Ops Session...

Well a major milestone in the five year history to date of our layout was reached on Tuesday 8th of December...  

We had our first Ops Session!

Well you could call it an expression session, or test ops session actually because it was all free time for the four operators.  My good friends Noel, Brendan & Darren came over and together we gave the layout a proper workout.

The main aim for the night was to check for any immediate electrical problems, dead track or sidings including the now finished Tortoise Fascia Control Panels, block wiring, turnout operation, track alignment and the general feel of the layout.

The guys had several options to start with, there was several cars spotted and stored around the York Haven Pulp & Paper Mill with a MP15 Switcher on call.  A pair of RDG SD45's ready for a local or hot shot train.  And a two small locals that could be spotted anywhere around the layout.

Below (from right to left) Darren, Noel & Brendan start from the York Haven - Pulp & Paper Mill (YHPPM)...



The guys were quickly off into different areas of the layout and testing out various locos and rolling stock.  



One very quick issue arose with one of the crossover turnouts with the YHPPM area which was quickly identified as dirty point ends on the point rails.  This will be fixed once I add the remaining power feeds to the PECO turnouts.

Also one of the push buttons controlling one of the Harrisburg - Fascia Control Panels wasn't working but was changed out very quickly.

The layout sustained the four of operating for about 2.5 - 3 hours, and we estimated that once the industries are set up and the remainder of the track work is completed the layout could sustain 6 - 8 operators and a dispatcher easily.



The next evolution for the layout will be designing and testing a more formal and prototypical operating scheme for future Ops Sessions.  The design and development of a car card system, paper work, and the programming of the detected track, turnouts & signals into JMRI and our Panel Pro - Panel.

The guys have already began to supply some great feedback and ideas and a dedicated night (Tuesday night) has been locked in as our monthly Operating night.  The Christmas break period is going to be very busy beginning to implement all of the infrastructure for Ops Session along with finishing off the detection & signaling too.

Below Noel running the RDG SD45's 7602 & 7603 through Mannheim & Rutherford...

A special thanks must go out to Noel, Brendan & Darren for being the first to operate the layout, and for helping out with testing it and for being such great company for the night!

Onwards & Upwards now...

Last of the Mainline Fascia Control Panels installed...

Today I managed to install the last of the mainline (main layout area) Fascia Control Panels for operating the Tortoise Switch Machines.

The amount of wiring to be able to control a switch machine from a fascia panel or from a computer panel (with software) is a monumental task, and one that takes a fair amount of time to complete.

The last Panel installed was the Lancaster Junction panel...

There are nine (9) fascia control panels in the main layout area, and another three in behind the centre peninsula.

Below is the last of the Digitrax SE8C's that had all the Tortoise Motors connected to it...

Next stage is to move onto the wiring of the power for all of the blocks connected to the other BDL168's.

Jas...