January Update

                     

This month a few things have started to happen as I prepare for my medical rehab program. I have decided my first Ops session will be mid-February whilst spending time with Peter from Victoria who will be here.  What I will be able to do during March and April will depend on the rehab program.  I hosted the January NMRA meeting, had some assessments under the NMRA achievement Program, had a go at weathering with powders, undertook some maintenance activities and made some control system modifications. I also organised the Monday Round Robin Roster.

NMRA Meeting 

I hosted the Australasian Region Division 6 January Meeting.

17 Members and 1 guest attended the meeting and following afternoon tea we spent an hour or so running trains and discussing aspects of the layout.

It has been suggested that I consider organising a running session for members.

Here are some photos from the meet.

NMRA Achievement Program

I have been convinced to apply and get assessed for the following:

• Golden Spike Award
• Model Railroad Engineer - Civil
• Model Railroad Engineer - Electrical
• Master Builder - Scenery
• Master Builder - Structures

The Achievement Program Maage and his assessors have inspected and judged the various aspects against the standards, and I will await the outcome.

Weathering with Powders

I had previously air brushed some weathering on to ore trucks many years back and wanted to show I could use another method. Whilst the outcome was Ok I was given some helpful feedback for future endeavours.

The Powders I used were purchased over a decade ago....

Before

First Pass

The darkening was too intense so I had to do some rework.

Second Pass

Looking much better after removing some of the pigment.

 

I was happy with my first attempt with powders and have received some feedback on the placement of rust on the sides.

Control System Changes

From time to time I get a short on one particular PSX and the only solution has been to power down and re-energise.  This causes other issues such as JMRI interface issues.  I decided to see if I can reset the offending PSX by giving it an accessory address and being able to turn it off then on.  It worked!  The resulting task was to program an additional switchboard panel, change the turnout table, and Python Accessory Script.

Tasks Completed in last 30 days 

Scheduled Tasks for next 90 days

That's it for now so until next time.....

-ooOOOoo-