June Progress

Family issues remained this month with Dad being transferred from hospital to a nursing home and sadly he will not go home.  Thanks to those that have contacted me regularly to "have a chat".
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Slow progress again this month as my wife completed her rehab and we drove to the country (850 km round trip) to make sure her unit was clean and stocked for her return. I also spent nine days away whilst going to Traralgon (165 km from Melbourne towards Sydney) see Peter's Blog. .

I needed something to take my mind of family matters (oh writing computer code used to do that for me a few decades ago!) so it was time for my first Launchpad project - "Helix Train Movement Sensor and Display".

My son has helped me put the final light fittings on the ceiling and now for the switching and dimmer bit.

First Full Operating Session - Cancelled

Invitations to the full operating session on 26th June were issued however with all the family issues I would not be able to do the event justice.  I reluctantly decided to cancel the event which will be rescheduled when I have the time to do all these things I was going to cram into the last month.....

I'm thinking sometime before Christmas now but will depend on how the family stuff goes....

Ceiling Lighting

Light fittings over Onka Valley and Loco arrival in place.

Command Station Consisting

Don Moyses and I have prepare a video using the Roco wireless MultiMausPro controller to utilize command station consisting.  Once consisted the consist locos are available individually whilst within consist.  Still o be tried (but expected to work) is command station consisting of sets of loco sets previously consisted through the use of CV19.

Take a look....

Helix Train Movement Sensor and Display

Most of you who know me understand that my engineering design and project management background dictates that I go through the normal steps of documentation Concept => Design => Pilot => Testing => Final Implementation.   I couldn't help mentioning it Tom Barbalett!

The Concept

 The "Block Occupied" LED is operated from the Block Watcher that will provide the signalling logic input.

Design

I am utilizing the Texas Instruments MSP430 Launch Pad (MSP-EXP430G)

The coding

The last time I did any serious coding was back in the 70's using Fortran V.  It was a pleasant surprise that the general structure of C++ was similar albeit the syntax was different in some areas.  After reading the "Google'd Tutorials" which brought back memories of days of Uni lecturers and tutes....  The stuff provided at Terry Terrance's Blog site also gave some great background info.  I have done an article for Terry's site which will appear in due course.

I'll put a copy of the program at the bottom of this post but don't cut and paste as the formatting stuff gets copied and does not work in the compiler!

Thanks to Toni Ryan for providing ideas and then feedback on my code writing.

Putting the theory into practice

The 5v Power supply utilizing a 9v battery and a LM7805 regulator.

Pilot 

A piece of pine 70 mm x 19 mm for the length of track with sensors placed just longer than a 40' box car apart.  I have never "wire wrapped" so off to GoodLuckBuy again for wire wrapping wire and a wire wrapping tool. I must say it was easier to do than I thought.  The only requirement was some magnifier glasses in order to "see" what I was trying to do.

Sensors were angled down and were missing the floor level of the car

Cardboard packer behind the first one to make vertical - the others are still angled incorrectly.

Testing

Sensors

There are differences between the sensors - all were setup the same but sensor 4 did not register the box car.

Attempting to get all sensors set up similarly.

Light colour cars work great....

Dark colours not so good.

I only have one "all black" consist which luckily will not travel up the helix - maybe a plus!

Mountings for the helix

The mounting to be used in the helix raises the sensor higher and can be positioned adjacent to the track for testing prior to final fixing.. Double sided tape then the mounting screw added.

Wiring

Wiring the prototype

Wiring the TI Launchpad was easier than I thought.

After loading my first program the Launchpad did what the tutorial said so I "stepped" through the program but all my LED's came on (see photo below) with no optical sensor inputs - I had the test set for "high" but the sensors are normally "high" and go low when the sense something (the trusty multimeter reliably informed me of this!).

Change the test from "high" to "low" and he presto it worked fine.

Change the time the LED's stay on and ....

For those that may be interested in the Code that makes it work it is available here... 

Final Implementation

This remains to be completed it will need two boards as there are ten sensors required over the 100 or so feet of track.  I have started the construction and I have a 12V regulated supply available close-by that feeds the double slip indication circuitry. You can see the progress and notes below..

Dave Loman idea

tutorial 4

I have made one mistake though - when checking the 3V voltage it was high - around 4,2V so I went back and added extra diodes after the 5V regulator!  Then I found this...

"1N4148 not giving correct voltage drop 

Do you have any load on the circuit? – Wilhelmsen Aug 22 '12 at 21:20

Unless you consider the multimeter a load, nope. I think that's the problem. – capcom Aug 22 '12 at "

I guess some mods and further testing is still required!

That's it for this month.


Thanks to those that continue to help me achieve my ambitions and hello again to all my followers!


Till the end of July.

-ooOOOoo-

May Progress

This month's post is a bit late as my Dad and my wife's Dad have both been admitted to hospital in the last 10 days.
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Slow progress again this month as my wife completed her rehab and we drove to the country (850 km round trip) to make sure her unit was clean and stocked for her return. I also spent a nine days away whilst going to Traralgon (165 km from Melbourne towards Sydney) see Peter's Blog. The Round Robin Group has been variable again with members away and having other commitments encroaching too.

However a few more things have been achieved and include work on Onka Valley,  Flintston Control Panel, Commissioning Flintston Yard and Trial Running.

Onka Valley

BJ has finally started the scenery (apart from the basic land form) the pictures tell the story...

Before the dirt colour...

Applying the dirt colour...

Dirt colour completed...


Now for "high country"...

Did you spot that the dirt colour is darker in some areas?

A light Indian Ink wash has been applied to get darker areas.  The trees and bushes await....

Flintston Control Panel 

The first double slip has had its bi-colour LEDs activated on the control panel.

Half of the additional wiring completed...

One double slip still remains to be converted - the live frog version that requires additional circuitry.

Commissioning Flintston Yard

Chris and I have commissioned the entire yard and the first trial shunt to check clearances etc has taken place.  I am pleased to report only one minor adjustment was required on one Warehouse track.  I am hoping to include yard shunts in the next trial operating session.

Trial Running

Two more shakedown sessions with operators from the Wednesday Round Robin Group were held this month.  I am still asking operators to record times to undertake shunting and running between locations. Those who took part included Bob, Barry, Ros & Chris and more valuable information was gleaned.

The list of glitches is diminishing as Chris has assisted me in adjustment tasks.

Iron Hill

During the trial running sessions I observed operators using the mainline locos to assist with shunting tasks. I will amend the operating sheets to include isolating the mainline loco siding.  Isolation switches have been installed for the Shunt loco s well.

First Full Operating Session

Invitations to the full operating session on 26th June have been issued. RSVP's are due soon!   I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the family issues don't derail the auspicious event.


That's it for this month.


Thanks to those that continue to help me achieve my ambitions and hello again to all my followers!


Till the end of June.

-ooOOOoo-

April Update

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Slow progress this month as my wife continues with rehab and the constant visits to doctors, blood tests, physio & hydro continued on a nearly daily basis. Lucky for me she can now driver herself to some of the sessions. The Round Robin Group has been variable with members away and having other commitments encroaching too.

However a few things have been achieved and include work on the Flintston Control Panel, Commissioning Flintston Yard, unboxing more Rolling Stock, some new PFE cars, Programming Locos and Trial Running.

Flintston Control Panel 

Last month it finished here

This month I installed the two sets of Double slip indications & CD discharge unit below Framework.

Now for the additional wiring for the bi-colour LED's in the control panel.

Commissioning Flintston Yard

Following the powering up of the double slip indications & CD discharge unit the checking of each turn out is being tested for operation, frog power and panel indications and when all is correct the point throw wire is cut off at rail height.  Chris and I are about 1/3 of the way through the 20 points in the yard.

Rolling Stock

Following the successful un-boxing of the coal hoppers last month I un-boxed the remaining RTR cars that had previously had Kadee's fitted...

Coupled them all up for a trial run

My birthday occurred this month so with my wife's financial help I bought myself a present - a set of PFE cars

Programming Locos

Given the failure of the Blueline Locos in session 1 I programmed two Atlas Gold Series B23-7's for the Loco pool.  I have two Paragon RSD-15 ready for programming as well.  I guess I will need to try again with the seven failed Blueline diesels.....

Trial Running

Two shakedown sessions with operators from the Wednesday Round Robin Group were held this month. Apart from assessing the reliability of locos and rolling stock I am asking operators to record times to undertake shunting and running between locations.

Session 1

Bob, Chris, Ros and I took part and we ran a number of trains.

I acted as train control and worked the control panels (when not providing guidance or problem solving) whilst Bob loaded the ore train at Iron Hill and then ran to Huntington, Ros ran the PFE from Shasta to Hornertown and re-iced the train at Hornertown, and Chris ran the Adamsville to Huntington commuter train followed by the Oily from Stanvac to Hornertown.

The session found a number of issues to be attended to: too much gunk on the rails (it has been a number of months since a good clean and the CRC 2-26 had dried out); all of the Blueline diesels had problems and had to be removed from use (2 x SD-7 with Lenz STANDARD+ decoders, 1 x SD40-2 with ESU LokPilot decoder, 2 x RSD-15 with NCE 141P decoders); The Athearn SD45T-2's with LokPilot decoders ran well except the Kadee couplers fouled the Snow Plows and occasionally caused a derailment and they have insufficient bogie swing for the switching tracks at Hornertown (After all they are mainline locos not switchers!).

Track Cleaning

After the first running session I decided that the rails needed to be stripped using the CMX filled with MEK and then CRC 2-26 spread by another car with a felt pad after the MEK has evaporated   This was a long process as I run the CMX over the tracks 2 or 3 times (I wore out 4 pads this time) then it took a similar amount of time for the CRC 2-26 - I spent between 6 and 7 hours to complete this.

During the cleaning my wife called me from outside the train room in a loud voice "Are you taking me to hydro!" - I had been completely immersed in the task that I had forgotten - black mark here.....   I immediately shut the layout down and scampered out to the car where she was waiting.....  Later when I got back and restarted the process to find the loco derailing...  I discovered that in my hurried exit the CMX was left over a point in Picard Junction and the plastic ties around the throw bar were soft and tacky and the centering spring had cut through as I forgot to close off the CMX car.

The next day when we went into the city for my wife's hospital appointment we visited Orient Express and I purchased a replacement turn out. I needed a hand to fit it so Chris came to the rescue to help me so after using the Dremel cut off wheel to remove sections of the old turn out before placing the new so the running session the following day could proceed.  Thanks mate!

Session 2

Chris, Ros and I took part and we ran a number of trains.

Again I acted as train control and worked the control panels (when not providing guidance or problem solving - less this time) whilst Chris loaded the ore train at Iron Hill and then ran to Huntington, Ros ran the PFE from Shasta to Hornertown and re-iced the train at Hornertown then on to Stirling.

Steam Loco Trials

I have a number of steam locos that I have bought over the last five or six years and I have started testing what each one runs like and how they pull so I can set some operating rules for use.  Most of the Paragon (4-8-4, 2-8-4), Blueline (AC4/5's), Athearn Genesis, Bachmann Spectrum and IHC Gold Series seem to run well.  The Bachmann GS-4's are a different story though - they will need some work....

Throttle Instructions

At the trial running sessions it was realised that "Basic Operating Instructions" for the Roco MultiMaus Throttles were required.  They can be used in Library or Loco Number mode - I use 4-digit Loco Number.  I have prepared these basic instructions for operators who come to visit.

The next work session is in May as this weeks Round Robin is a running session at Ross's Willunga layout.

That's it for this month.  I'm think the full operating session will happen in June - I'm still optimistic!


Thanks to those that continue to help me achieve my ambitions and hello again to all my followers!


Till the end of May.

-ooOOOoo-

March Update

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Well after a productive February things came to a grinding halt in March. My wife spent 26 days in hospital following a post op complication.  Most of the Round Robin Group have been away as well so March has been a bit of a "Dud" for modelling time.

However I did a few things to take my mind or attempt to take my mind off the family issues.  I spent some time on the fixing up damaged Athearn Ore Cars, Broken Relay Bases, Flintston Control Panel, un-boxed some Rolling Stock and I Programmed some locos.

Athearn Ore Cars

I purchased the three boxed sets of six low side ore cars. Upon opening two of the three sets to fit Kadee couplers many ladders and bake wheel assemblies were loose in the packaging.  See the second set which was in better nick than the first....

I sent the following message to Athearn via their website: "I have just received my three sets of six SP low side ore cars (97676, 97677, 97678 which arrived by FedEX nicely & securely packaged with no signs of damage from Lantz Hobby Shop, Horseheads NY.  Upon opening two of the three sets of which the exterior of your packaging was in perfect condition, many of the handrails and brake wheel assemblies were not attached and loose in box.  Further some ladders and brake wheel steps were missing. " 

They responded promptly with: "Please note that we need your shipping address in order to complete your request. We will send one the # ATHP94997 LADDER SET 26'ORE CAR parts to you at no charge."

I responded with: "Thanks for the prompt reply. My address is: ....  One question does the ladder set include the brake wheel step as I have two of them missing?

They responded with: Please note that the ladder set includes. Four rung side ladder (2)

Two rung side ladder (2) Four rung end ladder (2) Two rung end ladder (2) Two brake wheel (2) 

Please let us know if is one set is enough?

I responded with: I had a detailed look at the 12 damaged cars and have found that there are: 3 x Four rung side ladders, 5 x Two rung side ladders, 1 x Four rung end ladders, 6 x Two rung end ladders, 3 x brake wheels    that are bent or broken and require replacement.  This will take three sets.

A few days later 3 sets arrived down under - Thanks for the prompt service Athearn!

And here they are on the layout after reinstatement at Huntington:

The new low sided hoppers on the left with the older high sided hoppers on the right.

Relay Bases

I use 4PDT relays to transfer control of turn outs from the main to a local control panel.  I buy them on eBay from Hong Kong at 1/10 th of the local retail price.  However when i received the last delivery four of the twelve has pieces broken.

I messaged the eBay supplier with the pic and: "Hi I received these in the post today along with the relays and on four of them the cable deciders were broken in transit. Can I get replacement ones please?"

Within a few hours I got this reply: "Hi, I will send you 4 replacement item asap. If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know again. Thank you."

Good customer service again!

Flintston Control Panel 

Last month it finished here

This month the basic panel wiring has been completed.

Still to install is the two sets of Double slip indications, CD discharge unit below.

The Bi-colour LED's for the Panel

And of course the commissioning too.

Programming Locos

I have four groups of locos: Freight, Passenger, Commuter, Ore & Shunt.  Each group has its own acceleration and deceleration rate and top speed settings (see Loco Programming Standards below).  This will help me with either consisting or running helpers. I use JMRI in ops mode connected to my test track for configuration.

This month I have programmed up: my two new Atlas Gold Series Fairbanks Morse locos ready for commuter service and my Proto 2000 F Unit Ore Train consist and all the locos now have balanced speeds and acceleration & deceleration rates.

The Proto 2000's were interesting to setup. I found that CV23 on QSI V7 works to vary the acceleration rate but some V7 decoders - releases 150 & 158 respond slightly differently.... or is it the motors?

The final values were:

Loco	CV3	CV4	CV23	CV66   Fwd Trim	CV95 Rev Trim
6315_F7A QSI_V7_Model_158	220	35	-110	128	135
6320_F7A QSI_V7_Model_158	45	18	0	128	131
8215_F7B QSI_V7_Model_150	240	40	-126	128	135

I guess the motor characteristics of the two F7A’s are quite different!  Perhaps 6315  & 8215 have a very similar motor to 6320?

Rolling Stock

I un-boxed two six car sets of BLI hopper cars that had previously been fitted with Kadees.

Ready for test running

Thanks to those that continue to help me achieve my ambitions and hello to all my followers!


Till the end of April.

-ooOOOoo-