Stationary Decoders

Hi Folks - This past weekend I purchased a Digitrax DS 64 stationary decoder (http://www.digitrax.com/prd_statdec_ds64.php to install on (under) my layout. It has the ability to control up to 4 slow motion decoders. I plan on using it to control a couple of the turn outs in my yard that are difficult to reach. Even though I use a Lenz DCC system, I decided to go with the Digitrax unit, because unlike the Lenz unit, this unit doesn't require resistors on the outputs in order to use it with slow motion switch motors. It is totally DCC compatible and has several neat features such as being able to be powered by its own power supply or by track power. The user also has the ability to control it by DCC signals either through the track or connecting it to the DCC bus ( although to do this it has to use the Digitrax Loconet system). It is a very versatile unit, and although I have only hooked it up to a Tortoise switch machine temporary to test it, it seems to work very well. So between hooking up my Atlas signal system (see last post) and installing the DS64 this past weekend, I have been spending a bit of time under the layout lately. I decided to clean up the rats nest ( I mean wiring) as well and have installed over 150 cable ties to bundle up the wiring nice and neatly. I must say it looks much neater under there now. Now to go topside and start on some more scenery....Till next time.

Red Means STOP

Well folks I have spent the better part of the weekend installing two Atlas signals that I acquired at a recent train show. They are impressive devices and add another area of operating interest to the layout. They have the ability to become fully integrated with the Signal control boards (SCB) actually connecting to each other and displaying a color of signal appropriate to the occupancy of the block before it and after it. For now though I have them operating in independent mode, so that when a train enters the corresponding block, the signal goes to red and then yellow (timed for 8 seconds) when the train leaves that block, then back to green The SCB is controlled by a block occupancy detector - in this case, a NCE BD20. One word of advice though make sure you have good lighting under the layout, as the screw terminals on both devices are very small and difficult to get the wires in when you are underneath a layout looking up...my neck is still sore. Till next time....

Train Show

Hello Folks - Well its train show season again, and I managed to get the module to the last two shows. Last month it was Truro and this past weekend it was just across the harbour in Dartmouth. I was pulling double duty at this past show, as Dave M and myself were operating a couple of sales tables as well (thinning out our collections) - I was really lucky that Dave decided to do this, as most of my sales ended up being to him!! Thanks Dave. The show went over well and as always the UMG modules received many positive comments and the group spent some quality time operating trains for the public and answering questions and generally getting the word out about model railroading. I also attended an operating session at Doug's WRS on Saturday evening after the show Have a look at this posts picture. It's my module amongst the other UMG modules (for more info see the UMG site) http://theumg.ca/2009/11/dartmouth-2009/Belonging to a modular group is a great way to expand on your model railroading experience and a great way to be part of a large model railroading experience. Till next time...

New Motive Power Squared

Well folks - I really didn't fall over the flat end of the earth... I know its been a while since my last post and being summer and all, I sort of put Model Railroading on the back burner. Of note over the summer my Maine Central U 18b 's finally arrived, and I am most happy with them. I acquired # 405 and #409. You might think that is what I meant by New Motive Power Squared, but that only counts for one - I also acquired a slightly larger piece of motive power for my personnel use (see attached pic). This also has some bearing on my putting model railroading on the back burner, but now that fall is almost here, the time that I will be spending on that will be dwindling. Check out the short movie clip of my new U18b's in action on the sub. Till next time...

Keep On Movin

Well folks most of us model railroaders have at one time or another been faced with dirty track. For some it is a never ending battle and for others not so much. The location of a layout has alot to do with the amount of crud that builds up on the rails, along with a few other factors. Fortunately there are now several excellent track cleaning pieces of equipment available to come to our rescue. The newest is the Atlas HO Scale track cleaning car, which is basically the same as the N scale varient that has been available for several years. One noticeable difference is that the HO scale version is DCC capable. I picked mine up approx 2 months ago and have used it a couple of times since. Before the first use, I dropped in a TCS decoder which took all of about 5 minutes to do. The new model has the ability to grind, polish, and vacuum the track. It also has a fluid reservoir should you wish to use that concurrently. I must admit I am impressed with the car and operating it with DCC enables complete control and allows you to control that rotational speed of the grinding/polishing head.You will be impressed as well with the unit in vacuum mode, as it picks up more debris than you would expect. The module also does not appear out of place in a work train as well. Mine is MOW orange. Till next time...

Feed Mill Additions

Hi Folks;

It has been a busy last month with the module being shown at a local hobby show. See the below link to read all about it!! http://theumg.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/shearwater-spring-hobby-show-09/

I have also been working on some structures for the local feed mill on the Nottingham sub. See this posts picture.The grain bins and tower conveyor are by Rix and the grain dryer is by Walthers. I came up with the paint scheme for the dryer after visiting a real grain dryer manufacturers site on the web - http://www.mathewscompany.com/mathews_infinity.htm

With the spring weather finally here, work on the layout will most likely slow. On that note I never seem to get as much finished as I would like to during the modeling season- maybe next year!!!The module however will be making another appearance at the annual MFMR convention http://islandrails2009.wordpress.com/our-blog/ before it is stored away for the summer months. Till next time...

Alco HH660

Hi Folks;

Well it has finally arrived. I picked up my new Atlas Maine Central HH660 and I must admit it is a little gem. It is very well done and is very well detailed however I am sure glad that I have a visor magnifier as the truck chains are a real pain to get installed (yes you have to install them yourself). Now all I need is a small decoder to fit inside. I was looking for a TCS M1, but my local hobby shop didn't have one with a plug installed already. Hopefully I will be able to acquire one soon, as I cant wait to run it. On another note, Bowser has announced that they will produce a U25b in Maine Central Harvest Yellow http://www.bowser-trains.com/New_Products/New%2002_20_09%20U25b%2023375_23390/New%2002_20_09%20U25b.htm
I have already placed a reservation for one. Till next time...


Wayne

Be Nice to your Enviroment

Hi Folks;

We model railroaders all know that they should get more trucks off the roads and more trains on the rails . This would have many positive effects -less road maintenance required, better for the environment, etc, etc. Speaking of environment, over the years I have seen many layouts and their corresponding environment that they are housed in - right from the cold garden shed ( cant imagine having to wear a ski-doo suit and toque to run model trains in the winter) to ones that are actually housed in a purpose built building. I have to admit running trains is a whole lot more pleasant when one is in comfortable surroundings. When we moved into our current house, I did some extremely fancy negotiating and was given permission to use the rec room in the lower level of our three story house (I think the boss regrets her decision sometimes) and was lucky in that it was fully finished with carpeting etc. Besides the layout, I have put numerous railroad signs up and also a small display case ( http://www.tracksidedisplays.com/) to make the atmosphere more enjoyable. It all adds up to making time spent in the layout (cough cough I mean Rec) room more enjoyable. Till next time...

About Time

Hi Folks;

Well I have totally put off doing a post as long as humanly possible.Now that the Holidays are past and I have had a few weeks to actually do something on the layout, I can give you all an update. For the last couple of weeks, I have been working on a small industrial area just past the mouth of the yard. It has two industries - A Sherwin Williams paint factory and a flour mill.
I have added a paved parking lot, added a new structure and ballast the track and added ground foam in the area. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the new Atlas HH660 - according to the Atlas site, it will be shipping in the next week or so. My hobby shop has also told me that the new Intermoutain U-18B's are now available ( non -sound versions) and the sound versions will ship in March - I have two on order, and ordered them when the were first announced approx 4- 5 years ago. Long overdue, but sure will be nice to get them. I'm off to an operating session tomorrow on Doug's White River Southern - looking forward to it. Have a look at this posts picture to see the industrial area I have been working on. Till next time....