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.

View from Local Control Panel

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...

Watching V8 Supercars while working

Finished sets of instructions

I installed some holders to store them.

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

Sets to be used this session

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.

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....

Wayne

Me (oh well my back), Darren & John

Denis

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

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.