March Happenings

Subjects for this update include: Joe Fugate's videos, Jimtown, Structures, Trackwork, Bottom Level Control Panel and Turnout Wiring & Testing.

Joe Fugate's Videos

BJ, Chris, Myself and the rest of the Monday night crew have been watching, at supper time, Joe Fugate's Siskiyou Lines Videos "Model Railroad videos 1-5" which we have found quite interesting.  The unique mushroom design is very innovative.  I have found Volume 4 in particular the construction of trestles informative.  I am thinking of using a similar method on a number of bridges on the approach to Daveyston on the Huntington Branch.

See a few screen shots below:

A great set of Videos. The "Model Railroad OPs Session Live no.1, 2, 3 & 4" ones and "HOT Trains Volume 1 - Alco Mania!" await!


Jimtown
BJ has been busy adding scenery details and structures, see below:

The approach from the bridge crossing coming from Stanvac Junction.

The cutting by the industrial side of town on the approach (sideways look at the center section of the photo above).

Another view of the cutting looking from the industrial side.

The main line and passing siding with the milk depot, freight station and silos before the bridge.

The silo office is still to be placed in the vicinity of the tree next to the silo.

The scratch built milk depot.

Marker posts on track to bridge.

A small cattle yard and loading ramp will be added between the fascia and the tracks.


Structures
BJ and Barry have been busy with scratch and kit building.

BJ commencing the scratch building of the Silo Depot Office.

Barry building more ore conveyor sections for the Iron Hill Loading facility - only 1 1/2 sections left to go of a total of nine sections (Bob in the background).


Trackwork
Rossco has been busy installing copper sleepers at non insulated rail joiner locations.

Bottom Level Control Panel

I have finally completed wiring all bottom mainline turn out wires back to the terminal blocks ready to receive the corresponding control panel devices.


Turnout Wiring and Testing
Bob (above) and Chris (below) doing final adjustments on the last two of the currently installed point motors/

Since this Chris has commenced terminating the eight turnout cables at Fleets Loop.

Thanks for all the assistance guys it is appreciated.

First Post for 2011

This update covers: Holidays, Jimtown, Signals, Control Panel & Testing Power Blocks and Turnouts

Holidays
Well the last half of December and most of January was a time away from the hobby. The exception was the endeavour with signals which did manage to progress a little. The Monday night crew, the Tuesday team and BJ all had a big rest. What with members kids transitioning to high school and starting the next stage of their lives and others having life return to normal again.

The Monday crew will be sharing their time more widely this year. More assistance to other members and the reintroduction of some more running nights. I have had the "lions share" for the last couple of years and I am more than happy to help other members.


Jimtown
BJ has commenced the ground cover around the industrial areas - factories and town centre. Industries will include: stock yard, milk depot, small silos and a general freight depot.

The larger trees have been installed with the small ones to come. Have a look at where we are at.

Before

After

Signals
I have been spending some time working out a representative but not totally prototypical signal mast(s) that i can make for $5 Vs the commercial versions at $25-$35 each. I need about 70 signal masts both single and dual aspect 3 colour.

I will put up a separate post just on the signals later but here is a sneak peak.

Control Panel
Wiring of terminal strips for turnouts on the bottom level mainline continues. Space is becoming a premium.

Testing Picard Junction Power Blocks and Turnouts
We has one pair of droppers on the wrong block one connected to a PSX and the other to a PSX-AR this obviously caused some confusion. It had to be on a short section of track next to a cross over between the turnouts....

Chris and I spend the best part of two hours to find it - was just about the last place we looked at!

We also found a few more of my early attempts at putting accessory switches on not quite straight - too much binding - we changed them out and I'll rework the poor jobs.....

Final post for 2010

Adamsville, Structures and Wiring
As the year draws to a close most targets have been achieved with the exception of completing Jimtown industrial area and township industries. The fantastic progress would not have been achieved without the tireless efforts of the Monday night crew (Barry, Bill1, Bill2, BJ, Bob, Chris, Ross and Rossco), many additional hours spent by BJ and Chris and not forgetting my old workmate Ross's efforts as well. 

This Monday night is our Christmas BBQ being hosted at Chris's.  We will be reconvening in mid January 2011.

Adamsville
More details added, gravel road, fences, phone booth, rail crossing signs, pedestrians, rubbish bins, street lights and more...

Structures

Arrowhead Ale
You may remember a workmate of mine 'Ross' (as opposed to Ross or Rossco from the Monday night crew) previously built some kits for me - well he has been at it again! This time he has built another Cornerstone Kit - Arrowhead Ale.

Depot Building
Barry finished off the building including adding roof flashing at the peak. This is now ready for painting at a group clinic to be run by BJ next year. Following painting the windows will be fitted.

Barry has started construction of a Conrnerstone grain elevator to complement the storage bins at Adamsville.

Wiring
Chris and I have been running turnout wiring for the staging tracks and have run out, loomed, hung and tagged some 500 metres of six core. Following this "work mate Ross" and I run out the twin core feeders for the staging yard. The longest one may need a RC Network as it stretches to approx 12 metres from the booster without twisting.

Thanks guys for all of your efforts this year. It has helped me through a period of rearrangement of my personal activities.

Progress

BJ and the Monday night crew have been busy over the last couple of weeks. Wiring and scenery has continued. Some targets have been set for things to finish before the Christmas break.

Adamsville
BJ has been quite busy putting the finishing touches to the buildings for the residential area. Most have been fixed to its own base and become mini diorama to form the bigger picture.

Backdrop Trees
BJ has been busy with his artist brushes again.....

Commercial District Buildings
The buildings have been glued in place and the site detailing has commenced with the planting of trees and installation of footpaths and power poles.

Footpath preparation
Once the commercial district buildings had been placed footpath were cutout and painted before being glued down.

Residential Area
BJ prepared each building as its own diorama before we fixed them in place as part of Adamsville.

Bottom Level Wiring & Control Panel
Last Monday Bob and Chris installed droppers and reinstated some block and Turnout wiring around the staging approach at Lewiston Loop. On Tuesday Chris and I put together and installed two groups of six core turnout wires which consumed some 250 metres of wire. The addition of the staging areas has meant that an extra 14 turnouts to the original plan. This meant I had to devise a method of doubling up terminal strips within the control panel.

Buildings
On Monday night Barry has commenced building a depot building.

Thanks guys for your continuing help and support.