Progress Report 08.18.12

Enjoyed a day on Larry's Lehigh & Hudson River working as Yardmaster at Maybrook first half and working as Yardmaster at Warwick second half.  I had always avoided yard duty until about a year and a half ago.  Since, I have grown quite fond of it.  It's always a good mental challenge.  Today, I must have been slipping though as I sent some cars Boston cars to another location and then sent out a train to Port Morris that was over tonnage.  Darn brain farts!

Anywho, as always management was inspired by their visit to the L&HR.  The newly installed LED lighting looks awesome as well as the fascia and scenery started.  I will borrow the tip from Larry on using contact paper to redo my trainorder signal boards.  Mine had a bad wave in them after using the clear plastic styrene.

Since, RI management was gone most of the day unable to supervise crews (you wouldn't believe how rowdy these crews can get with out proper leadership), not much work was completed on the layout.  Crews did manage to install four slide switches.  I always dread the thought of doing these, but really they aren't that hard (especially considering, I have probably installed over 200 at one time or another now).  They are simply time consuming unless I really get into a good groove.  So, four down, twenty eight to go.

Pre-Session Project update
1) Install slide switches (in progress)
2) Re-stage the layout
3) Repair identified rolling stock that doesn't meet code (in progress)
4) Repair identified motive power that doesn't meet code
5) Construct Hennepin Canal bridge
6) Install LED Lights
7) Test all new trackage

New Look

Since the ROCK had such a transformation of the physical layout, top management felt it was time to make a visual change with the blog too.  Management is looking forward to the ROCK coming alive once again on September 29th.

Progress Report 08.17.12

Carrie Ave Shops worked on and repaired 26 cars today.  Quite impressive.  These cars will be returning to revenue service immediately.

Operations

The ROCK: Illinois Division is an operations based layout.  Ever since the beginning, the ultimate goal was to operate with a group of 2 to 3 people.  It has since grown to 4 or 5 people.

The layout is a loosely based on the prototype Rock Island Railroad from Silvis to Chicago including the Peoria branch. Many modifications were implemented due to space limitations and personal preference.  Trains move across the system via Timetable and Train Orders (TT&TO).

Typical trains that operate during the session are as follows:

• A total of 19 trains are on the official line-up per session.  
• Some trains are annulled or combined depending on crew availability
• An extra train is always a possibility too.
• Four daily passenger trains from the Quad Cities and Peoria to Chicago
• The passenger trains operate eastbound in the morning shuttling workers downtown and return in the evening hours.
• One hot auto parts / TOFC train Chicago to Council Bluffs (and on to California).
• This is the one train you do not want to delay.
• Six general manifests
• Chicago to Houston 
• Chicago to Council Bluffs (UP Interchange)
• Chicago to Tucumcari, NM (SP Interchange)
• Two regional manifests
• Chicago to Peoria
• Six local/turn trains
• Joliet Local
• Based out of Joliet, the local serves a paper mill, can manufacturer, local coal dealer and a small grain elevator on the edge of town.  The local receives and ships cars via the #110 Illinois Shorts road local
• Ottawa Local (1st/2nd Shift)
• Ottawa is the largest volume local mainly moving sand from mine to plant.  During a session, the local might move up to sixty sand hoppers.  The local serves the Ottawa Silica and Belrose Silica mines transporting sand to Libbey-Owens-Ford and Philadelphia Quartz.  In addition to moving sand, the local serves the Westclox factory and a local power plant in Peru/LaSalle.
• Silvis to Bureau Turn
• The Turn is based out of Silvis Yard.  It is the longest running local operating from Moline to Bureau with numerous customers to serve.  Those include a TOFC terminal, grain elevator, cement elevator, appliance manufacturer, local coal dealer, vacuum manufacturer, local freight house, feed mill, flour mill and two local grain elevators.
• Blue Island Local
• The Blue Island local is based out of Chicago's Burr Oak Yard.  It serves the urban area of Blue Island down to the edge of Joliet.  A favorite of the railfans as often it requires to operate down main street in Blue Island to complete its work.  The locals never seem to pleased by the slow moving train though.  The local serves a variety of industries including Proctor & Gamble, a local newspaper, a fruits & vegetable distributor, a latex manufacturer, local freight house and lumber dealer as well as a large flour mill.
• Illinois Shorts
• This train operates from Burr Oak Yard to Silvis and returns later in the day.  It doesn't serve local industries, but does swap blocks of cars for the locals at Joliet, Ottawa, Bureau and Silvis.  
• Burlington Northern Ottawa Local
• The BN local enters Ottawa from the northeast side of town.  It swaps loads/empties at Ottawa Silica as well as blocks of cars at Ottawa yard.  This local is operated at the discretion of the crew of the Ottawa local.

Passenger trains typically utilize a single E- or F- unit locomotive with 3 to 6 cars including a baggage/mail car. Majority of the general manifests operate with three four-axle or two six-axle units and a caboose.  Locals will operate with one to two four-axle units such as a GP7 or ALCO RS2.

Operators follow the schedule avoiding any 1st or 2nd class trains.  Otherwise, they contact the dispatcher for additional orders.  That role is typically portrayed by the layout owner/operator.

Progress Report 08.16.12

Management reviewed the engineer's realignment of the benchwork and yard tracks at Ottawa.  All good now.

Engineers removed the remaining Christmas lights from the layout.  They will be replaced with LEDs.  Since we were in destruction mode still, I figured it would be best to go ahead and tear them out.

The wiring leading to the power source for the tortoise switch machines for the Joliet crossover was heavily damaged during the destruction of the ovalix.  I relocated the power source, re-installed the wires and repaired the connection wires between the two tortoise switch machines.  Tested, all ok.

I completed identifying all the freight cars that need repair.  I would estimate there is 60 cars or so that require repair.  The main issue is low coupler height or undesireable Accumate couplers.  The Accumate couplers will be easy enough to replace.  Anyone have a good source of washers or shims to increase height for low couplers?

I still need to review all the motive power for the same issues.  I know some of the re-powered GP7s will need some coupler adjustment.

After a break this evening, the Electrical crew went to work.  The work group was delayed by a mysterious short.  This is always a wild, not-so wonderful adventure.  Crews spread out looking for the source.  One member of the team yelled out as he found the car department had left the coupler height gauge on the track.  Stupid car department!  After the excitement was over, the crew went back to work.  They connected and soldered all the feeder wires.  They also connected the Digitrax AR1 Auto Reverser for the wye at Bureau.

Management tested various equipment around the wye.  They were pleasantly surprised to find that all power on the roster (4- and 6-axle) made it around the tight radius with no issues (even when pulling the longer passenger cars).

Management was pleased with the amount of progress reported this evening.  Crews are excited as the layout is coming together.  The new ROCK's transformation is nearly complete!


Project update
1) complete benchwork for the Peoria branch
2) drill holes for the bus wire
3) run the bus wire
4) cut and re-install the workbench desk
5) clean off items stored on layout during construction
6) clean up the room
7) test NCE system to ensure no shorts before commencing trackwork
8) lay cork roadbed and track.
9) drop solder feeders
10) install slide switches
11) install car card boxes
12) run wire and install throttle jacks
13) install fascia board (majority complete - put off for another day)
14) paint fascia board
15) introduce new and remove obsolete waybills
16) re-stage layout 
17) schedule next op session!
18) review all rolling stock making adjustments to couplers and/or wheels. (reviewed - repair schedule now in works)
19) construct bridge over Hennepin Canal 
20) install LED lights
21) Test all new trackage
22) Reconnect wires for tortoise switch machines in Joliet
23) Install AR1 Auto Reverser



.

Progress Report 08.15.12

I noticed the other day there was an undesired transition between two pieces of benchwork that was affecting the tracks at Ottawa Yard.  I tried to adjust the riser and supports, but I couldn't get to one of the screws no matter what I tried.  Hmm...  When all else fails, break out the saw-all (saw of death).  Cut through the offending screw, adjusted the benchwork, and repaired the track.  All should be ok now.  I'll review again tomorrow after the glue dries.

Cut in the Burlington Northern crossing at Ottawa.

Started the tedious process of reviewing rolling stock for wheels (plastic/metal), couplers (only approving MTL or McHenry couplers ~ all Accumates need to go) and checking coupler height.  So far, I have identified 8 or 9 cars that need to head to Carrie Ave Shops for repair.



 

Progress Report 08.14.12

Soldered a set of feeder wires for the Peru Power & Water Plant that I missed the other day.  Re-installed all the car card boxes to the fascia.

Project update
1) complete benchwork for the Peoria branch
2) drill holes for the bus wire
3) run the bus wire
4) cut and re-install the workbench desk
5) clean off items stored on layout during construction
6) clean up the room
7) test NCE system to ensure no shorts before commencing trackwork
8) lay cork roadbed and track.
9) drop solder feeders
10) install slide switches
11) install car card boxes
12) run wire and install throttle jacks
13) install fascia board (majority complete - put off for another day)
14) paint fascia board
15) introduce new and remove obsolete waybills
16) re-stage layout 
17) schedule next op session!
18) review all rolling stock making adjustments to couplers and/or wheels.  
19) construct bridge over Hennepin Canal
20) install LED lights


.

Progress Report 08.12.12

Oh the smell of burning flux!  After a long day, took a shower and decided to solder feeder wires.  I figured I would solder as many as I could before dinner arrived.  I managed to get 90 done in about 40 minutes.

After dinner, I went back and installed the remaining 24.  I still have to connect them to the bus, but that is pretty painless.  I do want to wait until I have better access to the layout as I will have the (very hot) corded soldering iron vs. the battery one I used for the soldering the feeders to the rail.  No need to unnecessarily burn any flesh trying to get around the air mattress in the room currently.

Project update
1) complete benchwork for the Peoria branch
2) drill holes for the bus wire
3) run the bus wire
4) cut and re-install the workbench desk
5) clean off items stored on layout during construction
6) clean up the room
7) test NCE system to ensure no shorts before commencing trackwork
8) lay cork roadbed and track.
9) drop solder feeders
10) install slide switches
11) install car card boxes
12) run wire and install throttle jacks
13) install fascia board (majority complete - put off for another day)
14) paint fascia board
15) introduce new and remove obsolete waybills
16) re-stage layout (majority is re-staged, but need to integrate the new industries and place cars in the new Ottawa yard, LaSalle and Bureau storage tracks).
17) schedule next op session!
18) review all rolling stock making adjustments to couplers and/or wheels.  
19) construct bridge over Hennepin Canal


.

Progress Report 08.11.12

Progress has been minimal lately due to my layout room being occupied by my children as my family is in town.  After going to my friend Marcus' Charleston Roanoke & Eastern layout today, I was inspired to stumble over the girls' mess in the room to drop 114 feeder wires this evening.  I haven't soldered them, but drilling the holes and placing them is progress.

I also started on the bridge kit for Hennepin Canal, but found some pieces missing.  I don't know if they are  upstairs or missing altogether.  I will have to research that further.



.