|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 23, 2020 7:11:49 GMT -5
Sad news. Prayers for his family and friends.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 20, 2020 5:38:20 GMT -5
Awesome news I will take a half dozen green ones to start. Finally proper power for my coal trains.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 19, 2020 14:13:25 GMT -5
I already have the DPDT momentary switches in place and they work. I'm thinking about just putting a capacitor between the power supply and the switches. That way whichever switch is thrown will get the pulse of power from the capacitor. My concern would be how much delay for recharging would be and would it be sufficient to pause the flow through the DPDT switch if one is slow to release the switch. I don't really want to reinvent the wheel here, just make sure each flip of the switch has the right pulse to fully throw the points. Maybe just adapt a Circuitron Snapper Power Supply?
I suspect the problems I am having with the Rokuhan turnouts is largely a ballast or scenic glue intrusion or friction issue. I have some extra Teflon tape that I may try sealing up the bottom of these turnouts to ensure a friction free surface for the slider handle to move on. After all I don't want have to reach in and fix them every time they fail to throw completely.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 18, 2020 13:43:31 GMT -5
What about pulsing on the supply side? Hitting the switch would empty the capacitor and cutout while it recharged long enough for fat finger to get off the switch handle.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 17, 2020 12:01:05 GMT -5
I have all my turnouts wire to the control panel. Don't laugh at the temporary makings. I am going to punch a larger one to give a more finished look. I am a little frustrated with the Rokuhan turnouts. They don't seem to throw consistently everytime. I sometimes have to throw them back and forth and I still get the occasional derailment from one that didn't fully activate. I'm wondering if my voltage is too low (6 volt wall wart). But I am afraid to fry them too. I remember someone had a circuit that sent a pulse and then cut out. I may need to do that myself.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 11, 2020 10:22:48 GMT -5
And we have two more.. including a new release! 906508-1 BNSF MAXI-I Set 238782 Swoosh Glad I got one. Bet a set of BN cars would sell out too.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 10, 2020 10:42:45 GMT -5
I did 3 GP30's last night. I like these as you can reach the motor tabs to check continuity with the decoder motor contacts ensuring you are making good contact before putting them back on the tracks. I have noticed that many of the newer AZL loco's have filled this area in making it impossible to check. This makes adding decoders a trial and error process.
It would be nice to see other AZL models included with documented instructions for assembly and disassembly.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 10, 2020 10:16:48 GMT -5
Quick update the TCS AZL4 decoder died and I replaced it with a Digitrax DZ123Z0. I will see what TCS can do for me as this didn't last very long.
I can do without the strobes for now as I really love the looks of a BN Geep50 pulling stacks! Now if I could get those Maxi's in BN.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 4, 2020 12:44:47 GMT -5
Well, while not as photo-ready as the projects here, I spent considerable time investigating how to get to St Louis for the NMRA convention and NTS. What about SW Chief to KC and Missouri River Runner to St Louis?
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Mar 3, 2020 14:27:44 GMT -5
I spent the weekend replacing turnouts, wiring, and fine tuning the layout. I found the cheap terminal blocks were too hard to access and the wiring needs to be able to be disconnected. This is the bottom side of the drawer with wiring taped up to allow the drawer to slide in and out without snagging the wires. A thin panel will be added to enclose it completely. RJ45 sockets connect the turnouts to the control panel in the bottom drawer of the coffee table. New double crossovers were added and some of my other turnouts were replaced due to them sticking from the landscaping process.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Feb 19, 2020 13:05:08 GMT -5
BNSF is cool, but is a BN version in the works?
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Feb 4, 2020 22:08:27 GMT -5
I haven't tried much yet. I will eventually, but for now I need to get my layout back in operation so I can enjoy it more. I have replaced some switches and am working on the wiring control panel again. However this little Geep50 has inspired me. I mu'd it with a plain GP38 while I wait for it's partner to complete. I am anxious to get me some Maxi's to pull now. But must resist urge to run trains until track and power are debugged before proceeding.
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Jan 30, 2020 13:56:05 GMT -5
Hmmm, Sure would be nice to see those SD40-2's come back again! I could use 5-6 of these! Are there any BN (not BNSF)MAXI's?
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Jan 28, 2020 14:44:31 GMT -5
So I finally got one of my favorite engines in Z. This one is custom built by Gerd from a highly modified AZL GP38 with TCS decoder. Very fine work and as a bonus, it features some functioning though insanely bright strobe lights. Yeah, a little too bright, but the coolness factor of having functioning ditch lights keeps me from toning them down right now. F1 = on/off F2 flash. BN used these early strobes in the pre ditch light era. They only are on and flashing when you sound the horn. Detailing on this engine is well done with plow, mu hoses, mirror, and wipers added to the highly modified GP38 body with new fans, grills, and blower housing. By my request, the standard AZL couplers are on the rear with open pilot allows MU'ing with my other locos and freight cars without worries on my R195 min radius curve layout. Painted in my favorite BN "white face" scheme this loco will be assigned to mainly high speed intermodal service with other 4 axle power.
Loco in operation. Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Dec 12, 2019 15:29:19 GMT -5
Is the part number for the SD45 a typo? Should 93202-2 really be 63202-2? I have some of the BN SD45's and a GP30, I would prefer not to have duplicate road numbers.
|
|