This month has seen a couple of operating sessions including use of waybills, a fun run and planning for session 4. My activities were curtailed somewhat as my wife had her second total knee replacement operation so hospital visits then trips to rehabilitation sessions has soaked up time.
Implementation of Waybills
Last month I indicated use of waybills would commence. The amount of paperwork prior to the running session was dramatically reduced which was a positive for me.
The system seemed to work well and Don and Jock running Hornertown Yard commented that it was much easier than the switch lists previously used.
Given it is a very similar system to that used at Wayne's everyone just "knew what to do".
A few instructions were needed at Hornertown to replace wording on the switch lists...
I am still to move cards between In-Hold-Out boxes and turn/replace waybills as required.
Time will tell if I have determined the right number and combination of waybills to support operations.
Session 3
Following the successful completion of Session 2 I prepared the paperwork for Session 3 which included 47 movements. Alex, Chris, Don, John, John, Peter J, Spacky and I had a good afternoon. With only a small number of adjustments required to the paperwork I have decided to move straight on to Session 4.
Thanks to Peter J for grabbing photos of our activities.
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| Don & Spacky |
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| Alex |
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| Me, John, Spacky, Don & Chris |
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| Jock |
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| Oops a low coupler on change of grade.... |
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| John & Me |
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| Spacky "ran the turnout" John helps him out... |
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| Issues to be fixed list! |
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| Peter J (not sure who the photographer was!) |
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| The Hornertown Yard crew Don & Jock |
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| Spacky, Don & Jock |
It should be noted we had some electrical capacity issues which are discussed below.
Thanks to Spacky & Jock who laid on a nice BBQ after the running session and festivities continued into the late evening.
Fun Run - Spacky & Jock
Spacky made his "Tank Train" up first, it consisted of two 10 car sets.
Here is a video as the train passes through various sections of the layout.
Jock setting up his "Reefer Train".
Here is a video as the train passes through various sections of the layout.
Spacky & Jock had some fun running and me setting the control panels and watching.
Op Session at Wayne's
There were three operating sessions planned this month but I only made one. Barry, Chris, Spacky, Jock and I joined Wayne the day I attended. Things worked pretty well and we had an enjoyable afternoon.
Ops Planning - Session 4
I have to get this completed before my next operating session on 1 July.
The preliminary plan shows approximately 41 mainline scheduled movements with Hornertown Yard Operations still to be added. Still a long way to go with this sessions planning.
Power Capacity Issues
During Session 3 and the Fun Run there has been times when Booster Section B has been drawing too much current in total - all the PSX's remained open but the Booster Shut down. During session 3 I counted 12 "alive locos" all running off a 2.7A continuous 3.2A peak Booster. I am thinking the booster has malfunctioned as the RrampMeter showed a current draw at 4.2A and other times up to 3.4A without shutting down. Since then there have been some random shut downs.
The section at issue is "Section B" which has 12 PSX/PSX-AR's covering 18 Track Power Sections
Roco Slave 1
I am using the Roco System and to implement another booster to split the load it requires an obsolete no longer manufactured box and I cannot even locate one on EBay. I have a spare booster that I will swap with one in the problem section for the time being.
Strong consideration is being given to replacing the control system with NCE which can deliver 5.1A continuously per booster. The big issue is I need a command station, 5 boosters, 7 radio throttles and a couple of tethered throttles which adds up to a hefty bill.
Whilst I have JMRI and WiThrottle up and running the boys like throttles with knobs or thumb wheels..... in addition my 7" tablets used for Engine Driver last for about 2 hours and the op sessions go for 3 hours.
Wiring for Don
Don has been working on a display layout for exhibiting and I managed to get one day helping to install droppers on some of the staging sections. I had hoped to do another day but other matters have gotten in the way.
Till next time.....
-ooOOOoo-
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