I have returned to the "Monday fold" as most, but not all, of my family issues seem to have settled down. We have not been going far from home so I have had plenty of time for the hobby this month. My activities included: setting up my ProtoThrottle, changes to how I use Consisting, installed an Auxbox, changed my JMRI Start-up, Numbered turnouts in Hornertown Yard, Planned for Ops Session 1 V4.1, New Locos, Maintenance Tasks Completed and Scheduled and Alex Helps.
ProtoThrottle
Well, my Christmas present has been a challenge to set up and has kept my grey matter working. I had fun rising to the challenge. I discovered early in the piece that it was designed to work best with Tsunami2 or Lok5 decoders. I did not have either, so I bit the bullet and bought two new Dash9-44CW locos with Tsunmani2 decoders to take advantage of all the functions.
I setup the receiver for the NCE Cab Bus and achieved my flashing Green LED to show reliable comms has been established.
I read the articles (and their feedback) listed on the IOWA Scaled Engineering website.
I watched a number of videos:
And on YouTube:
And those on TrainMasters TV in DCC Decoded.
I probably spent the best part of two days doing this research.
I have a plan in my mind now if I configure any future locos to work specifically with the ProtoThrottle.
My usual configuration just was not compatible, so I now have two entries in DecoderPro the usual one and another one with PT in the description.
After getting the speed, acceleration, braking, notching, lights, and DDE working I assigned Shunting mode Function 14 to the Aux button. Initially I could not understand why one loco responded and not the other then I remembered I need to set "respond to consist" for F14 in the consist configuration page on DecoderPro for both locos.
I asked Don to come have a play and critique my setup. Don probably knows the most about prototypical operation, in our group, having worked for the SAR years back. He also has heaps of experience in the hobby and with DCC after many decades in the hobby retail industry.
I am pleased to report that apart from top speed (he thought notch 5 or 6 should be the maximum), we agreed to have a couple of operating sessions before making the final decision.
It was discussed whether I should try dynamic braking as well. Following my initial research at this time it will not be implemented.
Don commented that the ProtoThrottle made the operating experience a complete engineer experience - I think he was impressed.
Given the complexity (starting each engine in the consist separately, setting the lights, etc), training of operators will be required before they get to use it in an operating session.
I think he looking forward to his upcoming live trial during the next operating session.
Advanced Consisting
I was having problems with some sounds and lighting but after reading the article mentioned below, I had broken this rule: "You should never change the consist address suggested by the NCE throttle when setting up a consist. The command station knows better than you. It keeps track of which consists you have set up and makes sure you do not accidentally try to set up two consists with the same short address."
Advice from the gurus
I did some research and found words of wisdom from Mark Gurries and Dave Heap.
I decided that how I went about setting up my consists was not consistent with the advice so I deleted all of my previous work and started again.
Here is the details of how the 37 locos are arranged in consists that mostly reside on staging tracks and visit yards for consist changes.
I set CV's 19, 21 & 22 to 0 using POM DecoderPro Programmer for each loco and then checked the lights setting and mapping followed by enabling "Respond to consist address" for all locos.
It was a good decision as the lights now function as they should.
Auxbox at Helix
The 12V Main and accessory circuits have been wired in to the Auxbox and are now able to be switched off/on using PanelPro Control - see the video below.
I have an issue that one circuit on the AuxBox is not working. Maybe it lost its setting so when I get around to it I will reprogram that switch (address and function) to see if I can get it working.
Changes to JMRI Start-up
Improvements to the start-up process to power up all staging tracks which are normally kept powered down to power cycle decoders in an effort to stop data loss after extended periods without power.
Hornertown Yard Turnout Numbering
Operators have requested the Turnouts be numbered so......
Control Panels
Tracks
Ops Planning Session 1 V4.1
You may recall in my September 2022 update I said "Well, the session did go better but I found I put myself under too much pressure and was constantly busy and I have decided that I need to further streamline what I expect to get out of a session."
Once again I sought and received some feedback from my operators and have made the following adjustments:
- Reduce the number of operator roles from 8 to 7
- Reduce the number of concurrent operators (excluding Hornertown) by 1
- Reduce the number of mainline trains requiring significant work arriving/departing Hornertown Yard to 1 per session
- Remove the Huntington Yardmaster role and duties will be undertaken by operators of visiting trains
- All local freights to have a maximum of 8 cars
- Flinston Yard Shunting will retain a two person crew however the remainder revert to single operator (was already in place for Huntington & LeMaistre locals, Grain and Oil Trains)
That has reduced the intensity of operations which can be seen by comparing the train graphs.
Here are some of the new details
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Waybills Version 2
Many of my first cut waybills were being amended and I did not get the balance for movements right. I bit the bullet and have replaced every waybill with new ones. Much more thought has gone into Version 2.
With the reduction of Express Goods trains visiting Hornertown I have added about 20 cars spread over those that "run through the system" and by removing excess piggy back cars the yards should be kept more open and easier to navigate.
The next Ops Session to be held on February 6 will be the big test. I must thank Wayne for being my "Devil's Advocate Reviewer" - I end up with better outcomes after his critique.
New Locos
It has been quite a few years since I purchased a new loco. The intention is to use these new units on the "Jimtown Turn" which runs 6 of the 8 sessions. They will be configured to work with my ProtoThrottle. I have a steep learning curve and I worked with Don to see if I needed to "fine tune" all the settings.
I have run them in on "the rollers" and done my usual speed matching and they play very nicely together.
Tasks Completed in last 30 days
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Scheduled Tasks for next 90 days
Alex Helps
Alex, one of my occaisional operators, came over and helped sort Hornertown Yard and the Oil Train left in limbo at Jimtown following the last ops session which we did not complete. We had fun for a couple of hours before a nice BBQ and selected wines.
That's it for now so until next time.....
-ooOOOoo-
