This month I have a achieved quite a few things that included: Trainroom A/C, Uncoupling Marker, Job Card Holder, Shunt Instructions, Maintenance, Ops Sessions, Don's Photo/Video Session, Milang Train Show, Tasks completed & scheduled.
A/C for Trainroom
I bit the bullet and now we will have a pleasant environment all year round for Ops Sessions.
The temperature sensitive electronics are now functioning correctly since the room temperature has stabilised at 20 degrees.
Uncoupling Ramp Marker
A few years back I was asked to place "a marker of some sort" in the centre of the uncoupling ramp for reference when shunting, I finally got around to doing it!
Had a bit of fun because it had to be done "at full arms reach" to avoid standing on the yard.
I decided to install one of the light towers put aside for the yard so I needed the hole through the base for the wires.
My first attempt failed - under the scenery is 12mm board supported by 75mm x 100mm framework and the hole I drilled was directly above a 90mm x 35mm leg attached to the bearer. My 300mm drill bit was nowhere to be seen underneath when it was 250mm in!
A bush will cover the unused hole!
I drilled a hole on the other side of the track, and it too was over a bearer! This time the drill appeared when it was about 1/2 way through its total length.
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| View from Local Control Panel |
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| View from the closest operating location |
Job Card Holder
I changed the single bay holder to a double bay so completed jobs have a separate area to be placed - Let's try Jobs remaining in front & Jobs completed in back.
Shunting Guides
Hornertown Shunts
I have finished updating all the shunt movements undertaken in the Hornertown Yard.
They included:
- Sweep Yard to Staging
- Build - Flintston Local
- Build - Jimtown Turn
- Build - Huntington Local
- Build - LeMaistre Local
- Build - Express Goods East
- Build - Express Goods West
- Industrial Shunt East
- Industrial Shunt West
- Huntington & LeMaistre Locals’ Movements
- Build - Oil
My Office...
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| Watching V8 Supercars while working |
Finished sets of instructions
Clipped to Rack - Sweep Yard to Staging (used every session)
Top Left - Sets in use this session
Bottom Left - Sets not in use during the session
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| Sets to be used this session |
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| Sets not in use this session |
I will put them out for reference depending on what jobs are required for each session
Here is a link to the web page where each set can be viewed.
Huntington Shunts
I have finished updating all of the shunt movements undertaken at Huntington.
They included:
- Ore Train
- Grain Train
- Build - Huntington Local
- Huntington Local - Arrival Setout
Here is a link to the web page where each set can be viewed.
Jimtown Turn Shunts
I have finished updating all of the shunt movements undertaken from Jimtown.
They included:
- Adamsville- Iron Hill
- Stanvac Packaged Goods
Here is a link to the web page where each set can be viewed.
Maintenance
Two new issues this month
Loco AC-4 4123
The rear coupler is "sticky" was still on the maintenance list, but it failed completely in-service during the 19th of November ops session!
It has been replaced with a #148 whisker coupler and the glad hand set to the gauge shelf.
Phillips Tank Car
The car came uncoupled twice when in consist. On close inspection the couplers appeared high on both ends. The car was removed from the layout and placed in the maintenance queue before being fixed and returned to service.
My Ops Sessions
I hosted two sessions using the latest strategy since my last update.
Monday 3rd November
Darren, Denis, John, Peter J & Wayne joined me. I was on the control panels as Barry was unable to attend. Ray B was due to attend but had a last-minute change of plans, so Denis stepped up and made a full crew.
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| L>R John, Denis, Darren, Peter J & Wayne |
We had a very good Ops Session and finished around 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Only had a few minor issues during the run.
Peter took a few snaps....
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| Wayne |
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| Me (oh well my back), Darren & John |
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| Denis |
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| Me |
Afterwards we enjoyed fellowship over afternoon tea
Wednesday 19th November
Alex, Barry, Denis, Graham, John & Paul joined me for the session. Barry is still under treatment for his mobility issues so spent time with the crew and supported me at the control panel whist mainly seated. Alex and Paul undertook jobs they had not done before so the mentoring level was higher than usual.
The failure of a Kade No.5 coupler on the lead loco Coal Train, a Cab Forward, on steep grade caused the cancellation of the coal train.
Despite a few issues we had a good session and completed all but a few tasks.
At the commencement I briefed both Alex & Paul before commencement then forgot to take the usual crew room photo! I was also very busy during the session and failed to take any action photos.
Afterwards we enjoyed afternoon tea
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| L>R Denis, Barry, Paul, John Graham & Alex |
Don's Photo/Video Session
On 26th November Don hosted another session where he presents historic and current prototype photos and videos. Unfortunately, I could not make it due to holiday activities.
Milang Train Show
Two of my operators, Denis and Graham, had display layouts at the Milang Train Show on the weekend of 22/23 November. I did not attend but some of my operators did.
Graham's
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Denis's
Tasks Completed in last 30 days
Scheduled Tasks for next 90 days
That's it for now so until next time.....
-ooOOOoo-
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