Progress continues on the layout. All rolling stock has either Micro-Trains or McHenry couplers. Majority of the fleet has metal wheels. All of the bad order cars have been released from the car shops. There had been one straggler (the "Julia" Louis Dreyfus covered hopper that seemed to be demon possessed).
Cardboard strips have been added in Rock Island and West Bureau.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Progress Report 03.11.11
I have feverishly been working through all the rolling stock on the layout to make adjustments to cars. Hopefully we will enjoy the fruits of my labor come the next op session with better performing equipment.
The Mississippi River bridge is back in place and has been tested.
This weekend I hope to complete the background project filling all joints with wall putty and touching up the paint. I also need to secure the backdrop on the top level of the peninsula. I hope to work on some scenery from the Mississippi River up to Rock Island.
The Mississippi River bridge is back in place and has been tested.
This weekend I hope to complete the background project filling all joints with wall putty and touching up the paint. I also need to secure the backdrop on the top level of the peninsula. I hope to work on some scenery from the Mississippi River up to Rock Island.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Progress Report 03.09.11
I haven't reported in a few days, but have been milling around in the layout room. Here's a recap of the last few days:
The bridge is out at the Mississippi River. Management reports that there was a major wash out at the Mississippi River crossing back on Saturday. The bridge is being repaired as we speak with new track. It is expected to be back in full operation later this evening.
Carrie Ave Shops has been feverishly working on a project identifying axle and coupler types on cars for potential conversion. Adjustments have already been made on some. For example, the poorly operating Southern Wood Chip car fleet has been converted with significant improvement in performance.
Carrie Ave Shops have some locomotive repairs underway. The two ex-NJ Central SD35s are in the back shop requiring a major overhaul along with a CNW GP7.
This morning, construction began on the basic skeleton for the scenery west of the Mississippi River. A cardboard web is forming across the plains.
Many residents in the region have recovered from the recent seismic event created from the backdrop construction. Stockdale and Rock Island are still in complete utter disrepair. Residents are awaiting for FEMA trucks to arrive with supplies. The American Red Cross has been on site to assist with rebuilding the communities.
Tonight, I hope to patch the joints on the backdrops and prepare for final touch-up painting.
The third op session commemorating the one year anniversary of the layout has been scheduled for Saturday, May 14th. Management has set some pretty lofty goals to accomplish before the event. As a good friend Larry reminded me "it is better to set the bar high and maybe miss it by a few weeks than to set it ridiculously low and live down to it."
Progress will be intense over the next nine weeks.
The bridge is out at the Mississippi River. Management reports that there was a major wash out at the Mississippi River crossing back on Saturday. The bridge is being repaired as we speak with new track. It is expected to be back in full operation later this evening.
Carrie Ave Shops has been feverishly working on a project identifying axle and coupler types on cars for potential conversion. Adjustments have already been made on some. For example, the poorly operating Southern Wood Chip car fleet has been converted with significant improvement in performance.
Carrie Ave Shops have some locomotive repairs underway. The two ex-NJ Central SD35s are in the back shop requiring a major overhaul along with a CNW GP7.
This morning, construction began on the basic skeleton for the scenery west of the Mississippi River. A cardboard web is forming across the plains.
Many residents in the region have recovered from the recent seismic event created from the backdrop construction. Stockdale and Rock Island are still in complete utter disrepair. Residents are awaiting for FEMA trucks to arrive with supplies. The American Red Cross has been on site to assist with rebuilding the communities.
Tonight, I hope to patch the joints on the backdrops and prepare for final touch-up painting.
The third op session commemorating the one year anniversary of the layout has been scheduled for Saturday, May 14th. Management has set some pretty lofty goals to accomplish before the event. As a good friend Larry reminded me "it is better to set the bar high and maybe miss it by a few weeks than to set it ridiculously low and live down to it."
Progress will be intense over the next nine weeks.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Progress Report 03.06.11
I'm nearly finished with the installation of the backdrops. I need to secure fully the upper peninsula backdrops. The entire layout experienced at minimum a 7.0 simulated earthquake during the installation process.
Work that remains includes: secure peninsula backdrops, fill in joint seams with putty, sand and paint, touch-up paint any areas marked by cutting tools, replace buildings/rolling stock to their original locations.
Pictures of the progress:
Work that remains includes: secure peninsula backdrops, fill in joint seams with putty, sand and paint, touch-up paint any areas marked by cutting tools, replace buildings/rolling stock to their original locations.
Pictures of the progress:
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Progress Report 03.05.11
This morning I had a brief window of time to work on the layout. I managed to haul the air compressor upstairs to start installation of the backdrops. I did well as I installed the backdrops for Burr Oak Yard, Blue Island, West Davenport, Davenport, Rock Island and Franklin Farms. I have the Mississippi Region measured, but not cut yet. I'm using a pneumatic brad nailer for securing the backdrop pieces. It seems to be working out well and makes a quick job of it.
The addition of the blue backdrop makes a huge difference. I'm loving it!
I'm looking forward to starting on scenery upon completion of the backdrops.
The addition of the blue backdrop makes a huge difference. I'm loving it!
I'm looking forward to starting on scenery upon completion of the backdrops.
Progress Report 03.04.11
This evening after work, drove down to Lowe's with my cut list. Purchased three 4x8 sheets of 1/8" hardboard masonite. Came home, painted and now ready to install this weekend. These will be used as the background boards.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Progress Report 03.03.11
I worked on the CNW GP7 that had a reported high coupler. I found the problem to be the shell sitting too high on the frame due to excess wires from the decoder. Straightened out the wires and taped them down. The shell sits correctly now, but the frame is very tight in the shell. I can get it to run quietly after working with it for a bit, but when I put the fuel tank on it makes all sorts of racket. I worked on it for quite a while. I have it running ok, but still kind of loud. The loco hasn't left the shops yet. Hopefully I can figure out this mystery and send the locomotive back home to Clinton, IA.
Checked the RS2 #450/452 pair used on the Peoria Local as Jeff had reported that the wheels might be out of gauge (due to derailments on a few turnouts). I checked the wheels to find them in gauge. I tested through all the turnouts in Davenport. Majority of the turnouts had no problems. I did find problems with the Davenport West A/D track turnout, Main #2 at the double crossover at West Davenport and the switch in the Davenport Industrial Park for the Davenport Freight House. All turnouts were adjusted (bent the point rail some) and tested. All seem to work fine with no issues.
I'm still debating on what to do regarding the coupler conversion issue. I have been researching McHenry couplers. They seem to be good, but I don't know many people who are using them extensively.
Checked the RS2 #450/452 pair used on the Peoria Local as Jeff had reported that the wheels might be out of gauge (due to derailments on a few turnouts). I checked the wheels to find them in gauge. I tested through all the turnouts in Davenport. Majority of the turnouts had no problems. I did find problems with the Davenport West A/D track turnout, Main #2 at the double crossover at West Davenport and the switch in the Davenport Industrial Park for the Davenport Freight House. All turnouts were adjusted (bent the point rail some) and tested. All seem to work fine with no issues.
I'm still debating on what to do regarding the coupler conversion issue. I have been researching McHenry couplers. They seem to be good, but I don't know many people who are using them extensively.
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