This month has seen a shakedown run at Rosslyn's Sandgate and Southern, more planning for session 4, a potential solution for my power problem and Don's layout at the Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition. The extent of my activities were curtailed somewhat as I was "down with a bug" for nearly three weeks.
Shakedown Run - Sandgate & Southern
Six of us got together to have a shakedown run only using the main lines and we were able to run four concourrent trains and Rosslyn did a few shunt movements too. Don took the photos and videos that I have put together below.
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| L-R Barry, Peter S, Rosslyn, Me and Don |
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| L-R Barry, Peter S, Chris, Me and Rosslyn |
Here is a video showing the trains we ran.
Ops Planning - Session 4
I have to get this completed before my next operating session on 1 July.
The plan now shows 40 scheduled mainline movements and 17 Hornertown Yard movements. They have been plotted on a train grapgh to prove it works. I still have to prepare the job cards and switchlists.
Power Capacity Issues
During Session 3 and the Fun Run there were 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. More power is required so after checking in with Duncan McRee at Tam Valley Depot (who hosted Rosslyn & I for an evening back in 2016) I ordered one of his 5A boosters and Power Supplies. I will install it immediately downstream of the existing 2.7A booster and see how it goes at the next operationg session on 1st July.
Crystal Brook (Warnertown end)
I mentioned last month that I spent a day helping Don with some wiring for his display layout. Well I went to help set it up on the Friday of the long weekend and during the afternoon came down with a "nasty bug" that laid me out for the next three days - I missed the show.
I did manage to take a few photos on the Friday and have copied with permission photos from Don's Facebook page. I was dissappointed that I did not get to operate during the show so I will have to wait until next year.
Don modelled the start of the double track section that runs from Crystal Brook to Coonamai, just south of Port Pirie. The section modelled is known as Warnertown End by train control, even though it is some 18 km south of Warnertown on the Adelaide to Port Augusta mainline. He ran prototypical trains of today. He depicted himself and Rosslyn trainspotting and filming on one section and a train crew waiting for a crew swap at another.
Reports were many could easily recognise the section of track, its features and the train consists.
I think Don did an excellent job - well done!!!
Sorry I was not at the show long enough to take phtos of other exhibits.
Till next time.....
-ooOOOoo-
