The ROCK 3.0: OP Session Preparation

Various updates across the board....

Track Cleaning Update:
This evening, I worked on cleaning the tracks.  Fun stuff?  Not so much, but necessary for a good operating session.  At least my layout is relatively small so it's not too difficult of a task.  It took about an hour and that was taking my time thoroughly cleaning every piece of track on the layout.  We should be good to operate Saturday.


Electronics Update:
I installed the replacement UTP Cab Bus Fascia Panel for the one that was acting flaky by Ottawa Yard.  We are good now.  That is the third one I have replaced in the history of the layout (all three recently).  I guess they just wear out over time.  It's an electronic mystery.

I installed the blue LED to replace the one damaged at the box car sand loading tracks.


Rolling Weed Update:
This evening, I pulled out my box of Scenic Express Super Trees.  I had painted them a light gray quiet a long time ago.  I pulled apart all the useable trees from the batch in preparation to roll some weed* before the week is out.  The layout needs more trees!

*Remember kids, drugs are bad.  Mm'kay!!!

Kitbashing Update:

I'm feeling adventurous this week.  This evening, I played around with some building ideas for the second LOF structure.  I'm thinking something like this.  Flat wall down low a little higher than a box car with dock bay doors for unloading.  Two sets of windows and then a small section of wall above.  This will be the factory that makes the float glass and loads into the 50' box cars.

Here is a mock up of what I want to do.

Mock up with a box car for reference.

A photo of the prototype.  Not quite the same, but to make something with that many windows is just out of the question.  I can't find photos of where they actually loaded the cars as they don't do it anymore.  I believe they probably loaded them inside the factory.  Anywho, this will be my LOF representation on my layout.

The ROCK 3.0: Speed Matching Locomotives

This afternoon, I worked on speed matching some of my locomotives.  Some naturally run well together, others, not so much requiring intervention.

I used my friend Allen's blogpost as a guide on how to speed match.  http://thelittlerockline.blogspot.com/2012/04/speed-matching-locomotives.html
A special thanks to Allen for putting this together.  It was pretty easy to follow and understand once I got my hands dirty working with it.

So, I have two locomotives.  First, the Atlas Rock Island GP38-2 #4303.  Second, an Atlas Grand Trunk Western GP40-2 #6412.  Both by the same manufacturer, but run night and day different.

So, I placed both locomotives on the test track and let them run for about 15 minutes each before testing.  The Grand Trunk was geared for "Nascar" running 83 smph compared to the "Driving Miss Daisy" RI GP38-2 running 36 smph both at half throttle.  Top speed for the GTW unit was a smoking 149 smph compared to the RI unit at 92 smph.

Using Decoder Pro 3 and JRMI, I connected my MacBook to the NCE system.  I read in both locomotives and created a profile for each.

I made a few initial changes to both locomotives.  I turned off Analog Mode for both locos as I don't plan on using them in standard DC.  I checked to ensure CV3 and CV4 were set to 0 to turn off momentum.  I turned off BEMF (CV57 on Digitrax, CV61 on TCS).  

On the Speed Table tab, I started off by selecting "Use Speed Table (CVs 67-94)".  I started off with 0 and the max speed for the high end.  I selected "Log Curve" which generates a natural curve for power to the locomotive.  I tested.  Nothing moved when turned to speed step 1.  So, I bumped it up to 5.  Wrote the changes ("Write full sheet").  Still no movement.  I changed it to 9 and found movement. I then adjusted the high end voltage down, selected "log curve" again to change the speed table values between the low of 9 and high number), wrote the values to the decoder and tested until the top speed was around 70 smph for both locomotives.  

Once both locomotives were running at nearly the same speed, I checked the mid-range setting at half throttle.  I had to adjust the GTW unit slightly.  It took a big of trial and error to get it right, but overall not bad.  If I had everything sitting at the workbench, it would have been much easier.  My setup required me to get up and change the settings on my laptop and then walk back to the workbench to test again.

You can see the speed tables for both here below.  As you can see the GTW unit has a much lower max speed.

RI GP38-2

GTW GP40-2

Now, at half speed, the locomotives were within 1 smph of each other.  They run very well together at all speeds.  

I need to work on speed matching all my locomotives so any of them can run together instead of my typical matched pairs, but this is a start.  

The ROCK 3.0: Electrical Woes Update

Electrical Woes Update:
Friday evening, I took apart the NCE system and reseated the top board into the bottom board.  I also replaced the CMOS battery upon the suggestion of NCE.  They stated they are only good for five years typically.  We'll see what happens from here.  Currently, the system is working.

The PowerPro System with cover removed.

I removed the board that sits on top and reseated it.  

Here is the board removed.

Board re-installed.

Since then, it has been working for the most part.  Twice, it did have the same error when flipping on the system later where it wouldn't initialize.  I need to send it off for repair, but haven't decided on what I will do.  I'm considering purchasing a replacement system to use and keep this as a spare after repaired.  With the intermittent problems, it is concerning.

The ROCK 3.0: New Motive Power

Today, was quite the lazy day at our house.  Kids were gone most of the day playing at the neighbor's house.  My wife and I just hung out on the sofa binge watching "Arrow" on Netflix.  I haven't had that slow paced of a day in a long time!

Very late this afternoon and evening, I was somewhat productive.  Thanks to my friend Jan, we have a new Grand Trunk Western GP40-2 in use on the layout.  The package arrived and I immediately installed the decoder and tested.  It runs well!

Here is the new GP40-2 sitting at the locomotive facility at Ottawa Yard.

This evening, I thought about applying more static grass, but decided against it.  I placed the windows back in the L-O-F building (after painting a week or so ago).  I then cleaned up the room and put the skirting back up.  I take it down between sessions.  It drives me bonkers trying to find stuff as I go pulling up each skirt panel like three times and still can't find stuff right in front of my eyes.

Some toys (the Caterpillar Lego front loader) for crews to play with between assignments.

I finally placed all my Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars back in the cabinet.

The ROCK 3.0: Various Updates and More Electrical Woes

Bulk Sand vs. Bagged Sand
Today, I went back and re-read some of the original articles that inspired my revision of the layout to model the sand operations of the ROCK.  The article stated that bulk sand was loaded into box cars up until the late 70s.  Around that time, it switched over to bagged sand in large 50' and 60' box cars.  I have only been using 40' box cars and calling it bagged sand.  Since my era is roughly based on the mid-70s, I was thinking of switching back to bulk loaded 40' box cars.  What would this mean for operations?  Well, for one the box cars would now have to be weighed as with the hoppers.  Second, the cars would have to be cleaned out first before being spotted.  This is the key point that I really want to hit on.  I'm thinking I could use the caboose track in Ottawa Yard (adjacent to the RIP track) for cleaning out box cars.  I can fit about five or six in there at a time.  Typically, the plant receives 8 or 9 a day so the yard crew would have to switch them out in shifts.  Cars would arrive in during the day requiring the yard crew to spot them at the clean out track.  I would leave it up to the discretion of the yardmaster to determine when the cars were cleaned and pulling them out to be picked up for delivery by the South Ottawa local.

I'm already using Southern 40' Box Cars for bulk loading, but these have roof hatches designed for that.  They are loaded with the hoppers on tracks one through four.

This RIP track is on the left.  I would use the caboose track as my clean-out track for the 40' box cars.

Thoughts?


Telephone Pole Project:
Since applying the static grass, I can't find my holes for the telephone poles.  I re-drilled them tonight and glued them in place.

All signal heads lit!  Yeah!

Fast Clock for Ops:
I killed the Windows 7 partition on my Mac laptop to free up space.  I had to re-download my Fast Clock app to use through Terminal Server to my work.  If you need a fast clock for operating and have access to a Windows-based PC, I highly recommend this one.  It works well.

http://www.wesleysteiner.com/mrsoftware/mrfastclock.html


More Electrical Woes
This is very concerning.  As you might recall, I had some mystery issues over the summer where locos were losing their minds running back and forth.

http://rockislandpacific.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-rock-30-dcc-electrical-woes.html
The issue seemed to be solved by clearing all the consists.

Now, I have a new issue.  The throttles won't return to the normal position when the system starts up.  I can unplug, repower the system numerous times and still the same thing.  Then, randomly, it will initialize and go to the normal screen.

This screen should just pop up for a second before closing out and going to the screen showing the loco dialed in on that throttle.

I have researched some on the internet tonight.  I have tried resetting the entire system, but that didn't work.  I powered down the system and removed the CR2032 battery from the system.  That seemed to work as it booted up the first time after that, but later, it did the same thing again.  

I had one throttle jack that provided intermittent power.  I ordered a replacement as I had two others that were doing the same thing.  I replaced the cables and that didn't work, but when I replaced the jacks, it seemed to rectify the issue.  I isolated that UTP panel, but that didn't resolve the issue.  There are no shorts present on the layout per the status lights on the booster.

I plan on calling NCE tomorrow to see if they can shed any light on the situation.  I'm wondering if my NCE booster is just going bad.  It is seven years old.  There are no EPROM updates available since like 2007 (crazy, right?).  So, I'm at a lost.  I'm deeply concerned as what might happen during the op session with the system acting screwy.  

The ROCK 3.0: New Crew Instructions & Static Grass Update

Today, I wrote up new crew instructions in the format used at the CR&E this last session.  It seemed to work well and alleviate any confusion on what is expected of the crews.

The Ottawa Yardmaster's instructions are the most complex, but easy to follow (I feel).  See below:

Static Grass Project 

This evening, I hit the static grass hard applying to areas in front of Ottawa Yard, along the back of mainline (between the farm fields and mainline), and in front of Ottawa Silica Bagged Sand loading tracks.  I used a homemade static grass applicator and Silflor 6mm autumn color.  I like the the Silflor brand much better than Woodland Scenics.  It seems to work better overall.  I have also noticed that applying static grass is much easier when it is cold.  If it has been raining a lot, it doesn't want to stand up properly.

East Ottawa Yard lead / Ottawa Silica Bagged Sand Loading Tracks (Before Static Grass)

Ottawa Yard (Before Static Grass)

North of Ottawa Yard (Before Static Grass)

I emptied out the yard before starting.

The mainline got busy though as the cars were relocated from the yard.

Trains everywhere!

I paint the area doo-doo brown for the soil before applying the static grass.

The homemade "Grassinator" by Steve Holzheimer on loan.  I have given it a workout on my layout.

Static grass added in front of the Ottawa Silica Bagged Sand Loading tracks.

I applied the grass closer to the Ottawa Yard lead.  This will be more overgrown when it is all said and done with.  I also added some bushes between the yard lead track (left) and South Ottawa lead right.

Another view of the yard lead and mainline.

A view of the static grass on the south end of Ottawa Yard (to the left)

Another view of the same.

Static grass was also added on the north end (across the tracks)

More bushes and overgrowth was added around the creek that runs under the yard.

Static grass and bushes were added between the mainline and the farm fields north of the yard.

Looking east at Ottawa Yard.  

More overgrowth was added around the back end of the yard.

When moving cars back to the yard, I failed to hit reverse.  I managed to shove the cut of cars down to the end of the mainline.  Luckily the caboose got caught on the rail and didn't plunge along with half the string.

Signal Dept Update

My signals at the west end of Ottawa Yard have been flaky.  I need to re-wire them as I made a mistake on the control board during the original installation.  This evening, they were acting crazy and half the aspects were not lit.  I troubleshooted and repaired all those for now.  I believe after the op session, I will focus more on signals and try to get that project completely finished.

Track Repair Update

I found another broken point.  This is one I repaired, but I'm not surprised it broke loose.  It really didn't have enough solder on it.  I tried repairing with my battery powered soldering iron.  It works well (if you have good batteries).  When they get weak, it doesn't work near as well.  The batteries were very weak tonight and my re-supply from Amazon hasn't arrived yet due to the inclement weather.  I managed to make it work, but it was frustrating this evening.

A lot is getting done on the layout.  I'm trying to think what else I can knock out before the end of this weekend.  Next week will be spent cleaning track and making final preparations.