June Progress

This update is a bit shorter than usual as the month has been somewhat abnormal - three parents initially in three different hospitals all within 2 days and they all still remain in hospital as I do this post but only in two hospitals. Couple this with some members of the Monday night crew down with winter ailments (including me) has caused the cancellation of most Monday nights and half the Tuesday & Thursday daytime work sessions!

However we have seen some more work on Bottom Level mainline commissioning, LeMaistre Loco Control Panel Turnout Indications, Double Slip Control Panel Indication Circuits and Ballasting on the Bottom Level mainline.


Bottom Level mainline commissioning

UP 4-8-8-4 4001 and stramliner coaches on the Huntington Branch - this will not happen during normal ops but a good test of track work and clearances!

Chris doing some final wiring adjustments and turnout motor testing at Picard Junction.

LeMaistre Loco Control Panel Turnout Indications

Despite this being the first panel made ( prior to establishing standards :( ) indications were an afterthought!  The pic shows all but two turnouts indications operational - these have been completed now.

Double Slip Control Panel Indication Circuits

I have 4 double slips on the mainline and 2 in separate yards so four boards are required to be placed in three separate locations.

The circuit - uses 2N3906 transistors, 1N148 signal diodes,1k0 &10k0 resistors, common cathode Red/Green LED's.  The circuit uses 12v regulated DC and switches A & B are turn out contacts.
Thanks to Rob Paisley for the concepts see here.

The workbench

Top view of board under construction

Bottom view of board under construction

Two boards and the regulated 12v power supply mounted before external connections.

Final installation and integration will happen during July.


Ballasting on the Bottom Level mainline 

BJ has been practicing the mixture of colours and textures for the mainlines that will be different to yard tracks.

Mainline adjacent to yard.

Mainline external to the yard

Visiting Locomotives

Ros (Roz from Oz) has brought a few of her brass locomotives over which are "known to be picky" as they seem to find "all the track faults" in order to assist in commissioning the lower level which has the most complicated track work on the layout.

More on this next month.

With school holidays upon us the additional family duties for a lot of my helpers may see a lean month in uly as well - I cannot forget the commencement of operations due for this time next year - a lot of work still remains....

Thanks to all that continue to hep me achieve my ambitions..

Till next month.

-ooOOOoo-