My South Shore Line in O Scale

Progress Report 02/01/12

2012-02-01T18:00:00.000-05:00

DRYWALLING THE CEILING:

Jim, Warren, and I started the process to drywall the ceiling. In the front part of the layout is where most of the wiring and cables were. We IDed all the cable and took them down from the ceiling. They will be rerun through the joists so they will be out of the way. We also removed all the track lights that were mounted to the joists. They will re remounted to light important parts of the layout. Warren removed a good bit of the rope lights from the ceiling. We will be mounting all the CFLs in theater type strip lights which will light most of the layout and provide about a 6 inch valance rather than the 12 inch we have now. Also the Blue rope lights will be attached to those strips for night time operation.

We will start the drywall in the front of the layout first. For the time being the ceiling will be white. We will reconsider the use of black over the aisles at a later date. When finished we will have hung about 60 sheets of 4 x 8 drywall. But the layout will have a more finished look to it. That is what we are trying to gain from this very big project. We also plan to hang drywall over the portions of the mine area Warren is working on as that will be the hardest to reach. The unfinished portions of the layout will be much easier to do.

Update as of January 14, 2012

2012-01-14T17:47:00.002-05:00

This week several projects were worked on. Warren has made some additional changes to the mountain East of the Mine #2 at Norton. He has added a four foot coal seam. As the seam flows West it will widen in the area of the mine and tipple. Below is an overall photo and a closeup of that area.

The close up of the coal seam.

Below is the 2nd Model Board in position with some of the signal repeater lights lid. Below the board is the SUSIC with 6 DIN32(Input) and 12 DOUT32(Output) boards. The gray flat cables attach the board to the SUSIC. They are eight wire cables and one can unplug the board and take it to the workbench when needed. The track diagram, the repeaters icons, and the lettering was all done with Visual Cadd V5, then expored as a jpeg reversed, and then printed on 8.5 x 11 inch Label Paper. Then 5/16" and 1/4" holes were punched with a hollow punch to clear the LEDs. It was then carefully applied to the board.

The second photo if of the left side of the model board showing more details. Please excuse the slight focus problem.

Update as of January 4, 2012

2012-01-04T19:02:00.001-05:00

As of today we finally have the first of four panels installed and operating in the CTC machine. The following photo shows that first panel. All of the LEDs in the panel are operational. We have some minor logic thing to be figured out. In one or two cases I believe that an LED may be in the wrong hole. But without a helper it will take a bit of time to be sure. The track diagram and the lettering on the model board was done with a CAD black on white, then exported to a JPG after doing a reversal to get white on black. Then the jpg was printed on 8.5 x 11 inch label material and applied to the board. The holes for the LED were created in the label material using a 1/4" and a 5/16" hollow punch. I had tried two kinds of tape and just couldn't get the hang of it. Here is the photo.

Also here is the back of the second model board. I built it so that I could unplug it and work on it at a workbench. The small printed circuit cards at the top of the board allow me to use CAT5 RJ45 patch cables to hook it into the CMRI SUSIC boards. The numbers and letters indicate which SUSIC board and port they get pluged into via a CAT5 cable and a similar PCB with a Molex connector on it.

Also today Jim wired some more of our little breakout boards shown above and some of the SCC (signal Control Circuit) boards that will control our lineside signals and are also used in the CTC machine. Warren continued to work on part of the Norton mine area adding a seldom scene item on a model railroad, a Coal Seam. Photo below.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR and Progress Report December 23rd, 2011

2011-12-23T20:14:00.001-05:00

Wishing all of my followers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Christmas and model trains kind of go together in my mind. However it is a busy time of the year but we are continuing to make progress on the railroad. For all practical purposes one third of the CTC board is installed and operating for testing purposes. I do have to complete the track diagram, signal designations, and location names on the model board. I expect to complete that next week and will publish a photo as soon as it is done. The Norton area is progressing nicely and I am beginning to finalize the plans for the mine tipple based on the Norton, WV coal mine. Stay tuned and stay safe. Jay

Progress Report 11/27/11

2011-11-27T16:26:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone.

For your information the Laurel Line, the Virginian & South Shore, and all other combinations of railroad names are now history. The South Shore Line otherwise known as the Chicago, South Shore, and South Bend Railroad is now located 800 miles East of its original location via

Executive Order of the Owner...Me!

Here is the first section of the CTC System showing the model board before the 1/4" white track diagram strips have been applied. This is the left hand panel of four.

This is the back of the Model Board showing all the wiring for the LEDs.

This is the back of the CTC board showing all the switches and leds with just the basic bus wiring in.

Progress Report 11/15/11

2011-11-15T21:28:00.001-05:00

Bill Carr, Warren Hart, and myself worked on the railroad Monday and Tuesday this week. Warren did some more work on the area of Norton mine. Bill and I worked on the CTC panel all of both days. Bill wired and tested the first of the Model Boards. I drilled and painted the first CTC board which fits beneath the Model board. I also finished building three Input cards for the CTC. Then built and tested some of my Signal Control Cards (SCC) and test fited the components for the CTC board.

Bill Carr wiring the first Model Board Panel which goes on the upper left. He is using the CTC desk as a work area.

I am assembling one of the three Input boards.

Progress Report 11/12/11

2011-11-12T23:04:00.002-05:00

Today I finished the basic shell of the CTC panel. Here is a photo of the frame.

The next photo shows one of the braces between the 30 inch panels. There is 3/4 inch angle at the base and on the top of the CTC. The 30 inch panels attach to these angles and the wood strips on the vertical supports. When completed I may paint all the white surfaces a dark gray or black color more in keeping with the prototype.

Tomorrow Bill Carr arrives from Rochester, NY and we will start drilling hundreds of holes for LEDs and rotary switched as well as toggle switches. And then we will wire the 300 or 400 components on the panels.

Progress Report 11/11/11

2011-11-11T13:29:00.001-05:00

Bill Carr is coming down from Rochester next week to help with construction of the CTC Machine. Today I finished constructing the frame and will be cutting the 30 inch panels that will contain 100s of LEDs, Switch and Signal Lever, and the Model Board with the track diagram and occupancy LEDs. This CMRI based project should be up and running by the end of next week. However actual signals remain to be built and installed. It will require over 100 three color signals.

Warren is continuing work on our 300 foot (6 feet) poured concrete retaining wall. A photo of the finished wall will be posted soon as well as construction photos of the CTC Machine. So check back in a couple days for some photos. Also we will be posting photos on our South Shore Line Yahoo group site as well as on the CMRI Users Yahoo group site.

Progress Report 10/27/11

2011-10-27T16:34:00.001-04:00

This is the rough version of a five foot long retaining wall. It is not finished but is in it's basic form and with some color. Warren created a form with Masonite to actually pour the wall.

Bill Carr has finished the programming of the signalling system in Visual Basic 6.0. I am now waiting on the remaining CMRI boards and my Signal Driver and Breakout boards so we can wire up the CTC panel and wire some signals for testing the software. Hopefully they will arrive soon and we can begin work on that part of the hugh project.

Also I have built the basic structure for the South Bend station. I used DPM modules. Had to order a few additional modules to complete the building. My intention is to do as much on South Bend as practical and continue working Westward on the railroad. Thanks all for now.

Progress Report 10/12/11

2011-10-12T17:46:00.002-04:00

Been a while since I last posted to the blog. Last week and weekend was tied up with the local Apple Butter Festival at which each year I have a booth for my travel agency Cruises On The Sea. We had a successful weekend.

On the railroad Bill Carr and I continue to tweak the design of the CMRI signal system. We are very near final design and that should happen this week. I have ordered the additional circuit cards I needed to actually operate the CTC panel. Also Warren has been busy with scenery. Below is a photo taken today of the East end of the Norton mine. The bit of track shown is the main line and the yet to be completed tipple access tracks.

I am waiting on the corrected Signal Circuit Cards from China and our new Breakout Card. I recently received the various components needed to build about 20 of the cards.

Now I must spend some time and design the etching I plan to make from sheet brass to build the signals themselves. Also I have to learn to etch brass.

Also I finished my first molding project with a 9 x 3 inch cut stone retaining wall and cast the first piece today. When I get enough copies cast Warren will use them to build a rather long retaining wall the goes in front of the mainline where you see in the photo the light tan plaster cloth. I also plan to create some more molds for a plainer looking walls and some castings to build the South Bend train station. This building will be roughly based on the real station in downtown South Bend. In the 1970s the mainline was cut back to outside of town and I believe the building is now gone.

South Shore Video on You Tube

2011-09-28T23:09:00.002-04:00

http://youtu.be/KeFTGqF_pX8

Enjoy, Jay

Progress Report 9/27/11

2011-09-27T18:21:00.000-04:00

The Signal Control Circuit boards arrived today from China. They are well made and even have South Shore on them. They also indicate which componets go where and which pins control which colors in the signals. So they will be very useful in building the signalling system. And save me money because they use less bits than other CMRI installations.

I continue to test the logic from Bill's VB program. Got tired on touching wires to pins so built a little board with the five switches that I need to test the CTC logic. And I just plug it in using a network patch cord. It tests the actions of the Switch Lever, Signal Lever, Code Button, Hand/Motor selector for local control, and the Dispatcher switch that allows local control in the field. Just need to make a little signal light tester to check signals using one of my new boards.

Tomorrow is a railroad work day so we will see what gets done. And sorry no pictures this posting.

Progress Report 9/24/11

2011-09-24T17:14:00.000-04:00

Warren has more of the Norton Mine area done as we worked Wednesday and Friday this week. Photo below shows the area were the main and two mine tracks will be as well as the tipple. At the bottom of the cliff are where the river will be located.

I finished wiring three more turnout/local panel controls. Also loaded Bill Carr's Visual Basic program, made some minor adjustments, and it runs. Now for some extensive testing.

Progress Report 9/20/11

2011-09-20T23:21:00.000-04:00

Installed, wired, and tested the 7th and hopefully last SMINI board today. Made changes to my Visual Basic test program for the new board and after correcting three typos, it ran successful. All turnouts on the railroad except a couple respond to the computer and the local control toggles.

Progress Report 9/19/11

2011-09-19T23:17:00.000-04:00

Bill Carr and I continue to communicate various information needed to program the layout. At times it is difficult to explain the physical layout to Bill as he has not seen it and relies on my drawing and descriptions. But it is coming along.

Another friend John Plocher who is in China on business helped me refine my design for the Signal Control circuit. This circuit will control the signals along the right of way. My basic design reduced the number of wires to control a signal from 3 to 2. When you consider we will have about 130 signals that is a real savings. Also John found some of the parts that will be needed in China and also ordered the printed circuit boards from a Chinese factory thereby saving me a significant amount of money. Those boards will arrive soon and will then have to be built one at a time. I ordered 50 boards which will give us some spares. A photo of the 2 x 2 inch board is below.

Today I finished construction of our last SMINI board. This will make seven we have built and should be the last one. Each board has several hundred components on them and takes a while to solder. Also tested the board and it passed. Will install and wire it Tuesday.

Lastly my poll on Yahoo will end tomorrow. Passed on the poll I will make a decision about two industries on the layout. Four different ones are being considered.

Progress Report 9/12/11

2011-09-13T00:01:00.001-04:00

Over the last several days I have been commuicating with Bill Carr up in New York state. He recently offered to help write the software for my CMRI system. I provided him with my Model Board drawing and from that, and many emails back and forth, he has laid out all the CTC panels, program variables, and is begining to put together the underlining code. This is an unbelievable amount of work and I do appreciate his help. But now we have to get busy down here in West Virginia. Design and test the signal control circuits, build around 100 signals, finish building the cabinet for the CTC system, and start wiring it and wiring the railroad to control all the signals. So there is lots to do before we can even begin testing the software.

O Scale Layout Visit Saturday September 10, 2011

2011-09-12T23:54:00.001-04:00

Saturday Warren Hart, John Kelly, and myself drove down to Jeffersonton, Virginia for an O Scale Open House at the B & O layout of Terry Terrance. The group of nine had a real nice time. Terry and his wife Carol provided lunch. It was a nice day and a most enjoyable drive down in Virginia. Terry's layout is in the non scenery phase at the moment. But his bench work and track work were beautiful. He also uses Fast Tracks jigs to build most of his turnouts.

A photo of the railroad crossing Cheat River is shown below. Terry has used a photograph as a background for this scene. Very effective looking scene. The locomotive and the bridge are models.

Photos by Carol and Terry Terrance.

Local Control Panels

2011-09-06T20:21:00.004-04:00

This post is showing the local panels now installed on my railroad. Depending on some decisions to be made regarding local/dual control some or all may be replaced if we can find a more prototypical way to handle local/dual control. For the benefit of those not "in to" signalling, local/dual control refers to the ability of a local crew operating a train in CTC territory to call the dispatcher and request use of one or more track switches (turnouts). If the dispatcher grants permission in one manner of the other the local crew can operate a track switch that would normally be under the control of the dispatcher.

So here are some panels in no particular order:

Port Lead Michigan City Shops South Bend

Coal Mine Area

Gary IN

Kensington

McCormick

Randolph Street Terminal

South Shore and IC

Progress Report 9/3/11

2011-09-03T21:06:00.000-04:00

Designed and build the local control panel for the Mine area. It controls five turnouts. Installed it on the fascia and tested the input side. Tomorrow will attach the Cat5 cable to SMINI #5 and test the output side. This panel I mounted vertically rather than on an angle in a box. This one is just flush with the fascia.

Progress Report 9/2/11

2011-09-02T14:52:00.001-04:00

Figured out how to fix the programming problem. Apparently there is noise in the variables when you first start the program. So the following codes sets all inputs and outputs to zero before they are read or written. I inserted the follow code in the WRITERR sub just before the Packing occurs.
For A = 1 To 6
OB(A) = 0
Next A
I did the same thing for READRR.
For A = 1 To 3
IB(A) = 0
Next A

Progress Report 9/1/11

2011-09-01T22:53:00.002-04:00

First got wet biking today. First ten miles, nice and clear. Return ten mile trip, raining hard at time and thunder. Wish I was home working on the railroad.

Made corrections to Visual Basic program to correct block and OS section numbers. Added subroutine in program to allow the program to read the local control toggle switches around the layout. Program works about 95% but several toggles either were not recognized or the switch machine ignored the computer. Program says that toggle switch SEL81 is in the On position. Program also says it has thrown switch machine SM81 to the reverse position. However the actual switch machine hasn't moved. Working with other experts in CMRI to solve problem but no solution is at hand yet. Such is life on the South Shore railroad I guess.

Progress Report 8/31/11

2011-08-31T20:34:00.000-04:00

Today Warren started on the scenery for the mine area. Below are some photos showing the first three steps in the scenery process. Step one shows where he has covered the plaster cloth with a light coat of Hydrocal to basically stiffen the plaster cloth to form a Hard Shell for additional scenery.

The second step involves just throwing on lots of plaster in more or less random fashion.

In step three Warren has rough craved some or the glops of plaster. He has also applied some brown and black washes to reveal the texture of the beginning rocks.

I spend a good bit of time today testing and reviewing the switch machine and local control toggle switches numbering and location in the computer program. Found a number who were miss labelled or in the wrong order. Also two of the local toggle switches apparently aren't grounded so don't work. After TV I hope to find and fix that problem. Then I can go back to the program and update it with the corrections I have found and try and get it to run again as it failed to some extend to day.

Warren's Gap is almost complete.

2011-08-30T20:40:00.000-04:00

Here is Warren's Gap again. Tommorow I will start applying weathering and balast to this scene. When completed I will take a newer picture and post it here.

Track Plan as of 8/30/11

2011-08-30T14:34:00.000-04:00

August 30, 2011

2011-08-30T12:32:00.000-04:00

I am continuing to test the blocks etc. to make sure the computer sees everything. Also finished adding the blocks to the master Model Board.

Ran an engine around so I could check block detection. I use my laptop which uses logmein to see what is happening on the railroad computer. Got the engine behind the backdrop in the water and utilities area and guess what it stopped. So here I was with shorts on getting ready to crawl under the railroad for the 100th time. But wait. Not again. So cut a 24 inch section of the layout out and the backdrop. Also removed 24 inches of track, so no running around for now. Re-arranged some wires and now to decide what kind of lift bridge to install there. Will replace the backdrop with either removable section or hinged section.

Two types of bridges come to mind and were seen in the Chicago area as well as New York and New Jersey and up to New England.

Photo of layout:

Addendum to Progress Report 8/27/11

2011-08-30T12:23:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to add I am going to document the track, blocks, OS sections, turnouts etc. and commit first to paper and then on the computer. In reviewing my block, OS, and turnout numbers they don't mean much without walking around the railroad or looking at a map or a linear track plan. Previously I had labeled everything along the layout, so just have to walk along and record the track and turnouts to match numbers to the actual thing. That will make further wiring and troubleshooting easier. It is a pain to do but needed. So down to the basement.

Jay

August 27, 2011

2011-08-30T12:22:00.000-04:00

Received ten pairs of trucks for our ten coal cars that I purchased without trucks. Two pair have metal wheels so they are ready to go. The eight pair I will have to replace the plastic wheels with metal ones. Also need to add couplers to the cars. Not bad for $25 including shipping. $2.50 per pair. Retail is $8 per pair.

Corrected a couple minor wiring problems and now all of the main line turnouts except four are hooked up to the computer. I also added those Global Variables to the Visual Basic program. Hope to add a subroutine to the program that will allow the local turnout toggles switches to operate the actual turnout using the program. This will be the first actual change made to Bruce Chubb's program to fit this layout. As you may recall Bruce furnished me a boiler plate example program to start from. It has to be customized for my railroad.

Warren expects to begin plaster rock carving next Wednesday in the mine area. I also need to locate some more track to finish the mine trackage.

Jay

August 24, 2011

2011-08-30T12:20:00.002-04:00

This week we worked on the railroad Tuesday and Wednesday. Warren added a good bit of hard shell to the mine area. I motorized the new switch (East Tipple) but had to use a 3 foot push rod to reach it and have the switch machine reachable for maintenance. Also ran Cat5 from the SMC12 (digital switch machine controller) near Gary over to SMINI #3. Tested it with JMRI and all the turnouts in the mine area are working from the computer. This wire can control a total of eight switch machines. Installed eight feet of fascia on the East side of the mine area. The fascia helps to define the edge of the layout better than a bunch of "L" girder ends. Also re-mounted the plug in panel for the corded DCC Pro Cab.

Jay

August 19, 2011 Proposal to Improve Progress on the Railroad

2011-08-30T12:18:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Laura and my wife I have made some decisions to improve the railroad's progress. Basically I am dividing the railroad into areas to be complete on at a time. Beginning in South Bend (the Eastern
end) and going toward Chicago I am identifying scenic and/or operational areas. For each of those areas I am making a list of the basic steps to be complete to bring each of these areas up to a
reasonable level of completeness. However, with most model railroads completion is generally never actually done because there is always small details that can raise the level of completeness. Following are those areas I have identified so far starting at South Bend going westward to Chicago.

1. South Bend Terminal including rail yard, station, commercial buildings, and the theater.

2. Michigan City Shops including electric engine shops OR turntable & roundhouse, small station shelter, grain dealer, and scenery between back door and shops area that blocks the continuous run tunnel.

3. Port Area including docks, warehouse(s), refinery or truck terminal, the SS South American (cruise ship) and a oil tanker, ore ship, or merchant ship, and lighthouse.

4. Area from Power Plant East to Beverly Shores undecided treatment

5. Tipple/Coal Mine/Coke Furnaces area including operating tipple, mine, possible Coke Factory, river, and company town for miners. This area is under construction by Warren Hart.

6. Warren's Gap almost completed. Needs ties painted and weathered, ballasting, more trees, and addition of valance.

7. Gary Station Area including two highway bridges to hide tunnel entrances, station structure and platforms, scenery and backdrop, and possible Electric Engine Shops and Overhead construction. This maybe the Eastern end of electric overhead on the railroad at least for the foreseeable future.

8. Gauntlet Bridge area including interchange under bridge West to the current duck under access to the water system utilities. Need a small town and/or industrial area.

9. Amusement Park area including lift bridge to replace duck under, amusement rides, and end of CTA (Chicago Transit Authority Elevated) westward to the Calumet River bridges. If the Amusement park isn't build then this area with most likely be a heavy industry e.g. Steel or Oil.

10. West of Calumet River bridges including Kensington Station, a double slip switch, westward to McCormick Building and continuous run hidden track. Also includes 30+ feet of CTA elevated tracks.

11. From McCormick Building westward to the West end of the line at Randolph Road Terminal of the South Shore, the Illinois Central, the West End of the CTA on an elevated structure above the IC tracks.
Includes Randolph Road Highway bridge, SS underground station, Elevated Station, Big city backdrops and building front, extensive station platforms, small electric service shop, extensive overhead, and the Prudential Insurance Company's "air rights" building. (Going to build the Pabst Blue Ribbon working Neon Sign instead of the Building.)

This listing covers the main structures and scenic details of the eleven major areas. Not mentioned are 120+ signals for all OS sections and blocks. Crossing gates and lights, two local panels,
completion of the computer signal system (CMRI), and the physical CTC dispatchers control board. Also the painting and weathering of ties, ballasting of tracks, telephone poles, overhead electric, people, vehicles, and the required Outhouse. Also all fascia installed and painted black, all valances installed and painted, and Plexiglas barriers in front of each fascia to protect from derailments and kids
hands.

At this point I am documenting the details about each of the areas as to what needs to be done item by item. Next week I will begin to work on #1 at South Bend and then work Westward from their. Warren will be working on #5 which is a large area and will take some time to complete.

Jay

August 18, 2011 Lack of Progress Report

2011-08-30T12:12:00.000-04:00

Warren and I spend two+ hours Wednesday trying to get the signal system up and working. Same thing in the past, system won't sync with either computer program. Finally yesterday afternoon with some help from a friend in PA who is experienced with the CMRI system, I was able to determine low voltage to the RS485 convertor card was the problem. We had used a 12 position Euro barrier strip to supply voltage to various components by making a bridge out of wire so that we had three sets of terminals, for 5 volts, 12 volts, and common. Apparently this homemade bridge had either dirt or a corrosion problem and reduced the voltage from 5 to 1.2. So in the future I will use a different method (to be determined) to set up buses for voltages.

So that day was a waste except that if the system fails to sync in the future I will know where to look!

So digressing to the purpose of this email… Lack of Progress Report. I am looking for suggestions from any and all of you as to how to make more progress on the layout. Even if you have never seen the layout and are just a member of this yahoo group, you are welcome to chime in.

Things that come to mind, in no particular order:

1. Additional work sessions beyond Wednesdays including weekends

2. A carefully drawn up pert diagram showing what needs to be done to get other jobs done. For example correcting all track problems before applying ballast. Or painting ties before applying ballast.

3. Concentrating as a group on small portions of the layout and complete those portions as much as possible to complete in scenery, building, track works, signals, vehicles, weathering, and figures (people) rather than jumping from project to project. But splitting the work up based on interests and ability.

4. As in 3 above assign a small portion to one person to complete by themselves. Like warren is doing basically with the tipple and mine area.

5. Convert the railroad to a club of sorts and solicit members.

6. Serve drinks and snacks at work sessions…

7. Etc.

If you have any thought please share them no matter how outlandish. Brain storming is effective and good for the sole.

Jay

August 13, 2011 Two New Photos

2011-08-30T12:09:00.000-04:00

Just added two photos of after the change and one before the changes to the mine
area. This change provides closer access to the tracks and mine area.

August 5, 2011 Progress Report

2011-08-30T11:59:00.002-04:00

This Wednesday I worked by myself. Also worked some on Thursday and today.

Almost finished the wiring as a result of moving the second power district and associated SMINIs and DCCOD detectors. Finished adding the mainline roadbed along the two mine tracks. Have started putting down track but looks like I am going to be short some flex track. So I can either hand lay or buy more track. Not sure about hand laying in a hard to reach area. Also have added an additional L girder under the river area at the mine and East of the mine. Then removed part of the front L girder and cut back some of the joists up to the river bed so I can get in closer to everything. Also added some 2 x 4 legs where needed and removed one unneeded leg. This enlarges the viewing and walking area greatly. But we lose the trestle. So have to find another location for a trestle..got to have one wooden trestle. All turnouts are in and motorized and wired. So as soon as I finish laying the mainline track outside of the mine tracks, the mainline can be used from Chicago to South Bend again.

Jay

July 28, 2011 Progress and Coal Hoppers

2011-08-30T11:58:00.000-04:00

Re-wired half of the electronic board last night. Worked till 12:30 and quit. Other half to go and we will be back in operation. Hope to finish the West mine lead roadbed and finish laying tracks. Then mainline will be back in operation. Now to find another spot for a wooden trestle. Got to build one and got to have one!

Ten hopper cars finally arrived today from Maine. Will need to assemble (real easy) and then add couplers and trucks. So need to locate ten pair of trucks with or without wheels. If plastic wheels will replace with metal.

Now we have 17 coal hoppers. Would make a nice long train in O Scale.

Jay

July 26, 2011 Progress Report

2011-08-30T11:55:00.002-04:00

Today I removed the electronics panel that was under the mine/tipple area which contained two SMINIs and 24 DCCODs. It is now positioned to the right about 10 feet next to the basement steps. It is much easier to work on and access. Also it gets it out of the way of any changes that may be made to the mainline near the mine area and allows perhaps more room for viewing and operating the railroad as well as operating the mine area. Also will improve access to scenery and track construction. A decision will be made Wednesday as to how much and where the mainline is changing. If you can make it Wednesday would love everyone's input.

Jay

July 24, 2011 Progress Report

2011-08-30T11:54:00.000-04:00

Gauged with PCB ties an old RH turnout kit. Laid down wood ties and installed the West switch leading into the tipple at the mine. Laid six feet of track towards the tipple. Will finish spiking down the turnout tonight. Painted about 100 feet of fascia with the Black paint. Also painted about 20 feet of valance. Will start installing Plexiglas/Lexan strips on front of the now painted fascia to keep the trains off the floor.

Downloaded a bunch of photos of WV mining houses of the 50s or so. Also some photos of typical WV swinging bridges as I want a swinging bridge across the river beyond the trestle for those miners who choose to walk to work. Being behind the trestle means that the trestle will have a 60' (15") section of plate girder bridge so one can see the river below, the swing bridge, and up the canyon.

Also planning a mining town left of the mine area. A road coming across the mainline just as it comes out of the East tunnel that winds down through the town and follows the mine tracks into the tipple area. This one lane road will provide a ledge on the aisle side of the mine tracks to prevent an engine or cars rolling over down into the river below.

When the trestle is in place it will have guard rails as it's only protection against falling off the trestle. Therefore mainline trains will have a restricted speed limit on the trestle.

As usual comments and suggestions are always appreciated and encouraged.

Jay

July 24, 2011 Protecting trains from falling on the floor

2011-08-30T11:52:00.000-04:00

I have always thought we should install tracks, wiring, etc. Before installing any scenery.

However I have come to the conclusion that some scenery should be installed before running trains other than an occasional test run to check electrical/electronic issues and to keep the rail clean. Some scenery in my mine is enough hard shell and protective Plexiglas/Lexan to prevent a pile of parts of an engine or car on the floor particularly in those areas where open grid construction is in use.

We are building a mine area and there is nothing more than laminated roadbed and track in many areas leaving unobstructed air between 45 and 60 inches from the concrete basement floor. Also about 80% of the layout is laminated roadbed and no scenery or hard shell. Some portions are homasote and plywood in yard and station areas as well as one town area.

Being in O Scale I need at least six inches of scenery along all tracks where it is not next to the fascia which can be protected with Plexiglas/Lexan barriers. For example one area along a cliff it will be hard to provide any protection. Maybe an access road along the tracks if space permits would look ok.

So would be interested in seeing what others have done either before final scenery or even with scenery in to protect our investments in motive power, freight and passenger cars.

Jay

Warren's Gap is almost complete.

2010-09-12T00:31:00.002-04:00

Here is a photo of a portion of Warren's Gap (named after Warren Hart my scenery guy). Still have to add more water under the bridge (not shown here) and trees on the mountain side. I painted the backdrop and added some trees as background to the "real" trees he will be adding later. The photo is labeled West but it is the East tunnel. Stay tuned.

Bringing this Blog up todate.

2010-09-06T23:51:00.002-04:00

I hope to bring thing up to date very soon. A lot has happened on the railroad and lots of changes. We currently have five people working on the railroad including myself. Also plan to post some photos or projects and completed projects as the railroad evolves.

2009-03-12T23:44:00.002-04:00

The Railroad Basement

2009-03-12T23:33:00.002-04:00

In 1999 we purchased this basement with a nice Cape Cod on top of it to keep out the rain. Before placing a contract on the basement, I walked off the perimeter and determined an available space of about 30 feet by 60 feet give or take a few feet. It was then that I knew I had to have this basement and I was sure Julie would like the Cape Cod on top of it. The photo above is the rear of the house. When I find the photo of the front I will post it.

Welcome to my blog

2009-03-12T23:06:00.002-04:00

On this site I will descrip in word and pictures the construction and later the operation of my O Scale version of the Chicago, South Shore, and South Bend. I intend to follow the prototype in most matters with the exception of scenery. My scenery will be a blend of Illinois/Indiana scenery with West Virginia and Western Maryland scenery. At some time in the future the railroad will operate using a full size CTC panel under control of a dispatcher. The electronic are basically Bruce Chubb's C/MRI running under Visual Basic. Also after 90% of the scenery is complete full overhead will be installed.

This interest in this railroad was the result of a very brief view of the South Shore after staying overnight in a really run down motel in South Bend in the early 60s. We got up in the morning and headed West towards Chicago. At a stop light I saw an overhead wire above the cross street. So I turned right on that street pulled the VW Bus over to the curb and got out with my handy Super 8 movie camera. Coming up the street was a big orange interurban car on it's way to Chicago. I shot about 2 minutes of movie film as the car went up to the light and proceeded on it way. After returning home I did some research and determined what I had seen. And that was my introduction to the South Shore. I have not visited the Chicago area since then but hope to get back in the near future.

My time period is 1970 for a number of reasons. In 1970 they were still running in the streets of South Bend where I first saw the railroad. Also they were still running electric freight engines and also some leased diesels from the Chessy System. And the big orange cars were still running. All of that changed after 1970.

So stay tuned and see how this all happens.