Op session no.7

We had a great visiting crew last weekend for the largest operating session, yet. Nine operators put the railroad through their expert paces. Some minor hiccups, but nothing catastrophic, so I will count that as a success.

Most (all?!) played the Brakeman! game with the newly created action figures:

The Brakeman! game is about modeling the actions of the train crew. If there is an action like throwing a switch, uncoupling or coupling a car, unlocking a gate, etc., there must be one of the crew on the ground within an uncoupling tool's length in order to perform that action. In conjunction with momentum and braking in effect on the locomotive, this slows operations down a lot.

Following are some candid shots from the session:

Keith Jordan and Lance Mindheim debate the merits of something. I think we decided the world would survive.

Tom Pearson repairs several cars in place while Denny Taylor and Larry Sternberg switch the Docks Job. Jim Diaz and Kirk Baer work the Float job. 

Chuck Hitchcock and Tom Lawler figure out the HBS yard - the hardest job on the layout...?

Maneuvering the slip switch ladder in the middle of the HBS Yard. 

Kirk eyes the next move while Jim drops float cars in the float yard.

At Maxwell House Coffee Plant: "I'm pretty sure that car goes here." "Are you really sure?" "My brakeman doesn't want to walk all the way over there unless you are sure."

Denny guides Larry to the American Export docks.

"Maxwell House has too many outbound cars for this little 44-tonner." 

Paul Dolkos weighs in on the serious discussion. 

Later that same day... the yard crew at Tommy Holt's was Kirk, Keith and Paul. The GGM, AP, EXP trick in the schedule went really smoothly. No switching on Diner Siding (Tommy was looking), but eastbound trains did depart through there to keep the B Lead clear. It was a really smooth session and everyone left with all of their fingers and toes.

Op session No.6

A quick recap of op session no.6:

Mike Barrett at 27th Street clears the car float, then fills it up again.

The Harlem Station after Barrett's completion of work before he moved over to 27th St. 

Steve Jackobs heads out of the yard to switch the HBS industries.

David Petersen (left) and Steve Jackobs (right) dropping their pickups in the HBS Yard.

Barrett, Jackobs, Petersen were on shake down duty operating the new 27th Street Lehigh station, Erie Harlem and the HBS industry jobs, but no yard this time. This was a last minute gig that conflicted with a large train show an hour away, so I didn't expect to get a lot of takers, but I needed to have trains run to find some more problems before the next session. The original idea was to have a stress test since I can now handle 11 people, which is what I was gearing up for the following weekend.

No big surprises, and mostly it confirmed work load balancing and how much time it takes to complete jobs. After this is was back to work on converting another locomotive to battery power, adding a car float and a bunch of battery charging for the next session...

Reworking the 149th

I finished reworking the bench work on the 149th street yard several weeks ago, but I forgot to post results. I replaced the 15 ply Baltic birch with 2 layers of 3/4" foam, which reduced the weight considerably. I also added a new fascia board around the entire perimeter. I also built a make-shift storage cradle for it to make it easier to move around. I got a large spade bit to bore some weight reducing holes in the 1x frame members. I haven't reconnected the wiring.

I'm pleased with the results, but it is still too heavy and awkward to move by myself. I think I am going to start from scratch with a 2 or 3 section frame that can be separated and stored under the HBS when not in operation. The track plan is great fun to operate and worth this effort to get it right. I'm learning, too, and my mantra is "lighter is better."

I moved most of the HBS peninsula today (see last post) and countersunk some leg bolts I missed originally that were causing gaps in between modules.  I also cut shelf supports/ leg braces and started installing them. It stiffens up the legs well, and I'm looking forward to the storage space. 

There is still a lot of organizing to do, but there is progress on finally getting the room in a more comfortable shape. Went through 20 years of magazines including MR and saved 4 articles and a handful of issues for reference. The rest went into the recycling bin. I figure at this point that I will either get the DVD collection, or simply do an Internet search when I want ideas or how to articles on something. I freed up a whole lot of space, and I feel lighter. Lighter is better.

Deconstruction

I'm trying to clear out the layout room for upcoming guests and general well-being. To do this, the next step is getting the 149th in a more mobile and storable condition. 

The deconstruction of the Erie 149th Street Yard

Wires removed, track lifted mostly intact on black floor underlayment, outriggers for new fascia board installing, and the dense 15-ply Baltic Birch plywood being removed. The adhesive caulk used to secure the underlayment and track popped right up with only a modicum of effort. 

Had to quit for the evening before finishing since tomorrow is an early morning, but I made good progress. I'm thinking 3/16" Gatorfoam over 3/4" extruded foam insulation board on top of the existing pine framing. (See modelrailroaddesign.blogspot.com for discussion of options.) This is a combination of expediency, bricolage, and good ol' laziness. (It was expediency that led me to use the densest plywood in the world the first time around.) 

I think I'm going to explore the more space age semi-monocoque designs that Joe Brant introduced to the conversation over at my other blog for future construction of pocket terminals. For now, I want to get done and get back to the HBS construction. 

Pictures of process:

Bay Transportation, Suzy Q, and soldering iron

Last spots these cars will see for awhile

Cleared of everything 

Underlayment comes up easily

Just a few spots where the adhesive hung on tight

Completely cleared

Track still attached to the underlayment transferred easily in two pieces. WIth any luck, I can just transfer it back to the new base.

Outrigger spacer blocks for new fascia perimeter board.

Glued, not screwed.

One can never have enough clamps.

Plywood removed reveals lightweight (comparatively) framework.

Momma clamp and baby clamp - everyone got their pads on wood today.

Wordless Wednesday

Scenery Plan

Preliminary area plan for landscaping. I failed to indicate that the dashed line is a chain link fence. Some of it is on concrete pony wall (bottom, or south side), some on the ground (I think the rest of it).

Lots of concrete at Harlem Station! I hadn't really noticed, but I guess with all of the LCL going into trucks, there needs to be an all-weather surface to keep the freight moving.

This quick sketch of a scheme is based on an equally quick interpretation of the aerial photo from 1956 and various photos. As always, please feel free to share with me any information you might have on this subject.

The freight shed is gone by my modeling date of 1959, and the new freight house expanded to cover the tracks to make an indoor unloading facility. I'm not keen on covering up all that layout area, so I'm either A) going to back date this terminal to early 50s or B) stay accurate and build just the walls of the freight house extension and lose the 'cute' freight shed building.

At this point, I would bet on 'B' if I were a viewer of this blog. (Remember: all wagering is for entertainment purposes only.)

PoNY Marine Shops Deliver Carfloater™ Prototype

In July of 2012 the PoNY RR Marine Shops proposed an operating carfloat service for interchange operations between pocket terminals. Today the Shops delivered the first working prototype for sea trials in the Port of New York.

Built using an old Metro Shelving TV cart, this first prototype of the Carfloater™ is manual drive with 4 large diameter swiveling rubber casters. The top portion that holds the car floats is constructed of lightweight pine 1x4s and oak 2x2 uprights, and it is affixed to the metal cart top with clamps. The upper portion is adjustable at the moment while the marine standards for the layout are being developed. The temporary float bridge at 149th (the white foam core) will be replaced with a Frenchman River float bridge that is to be installed "soon."

The large cart casters allow the float to easily navigate the carpet, and it is smooth enough that there is no fear of toppling the cars during careful movements at this point. A system for securing the cars on board needs to be developed. Later, the float carrier portion will be wider and modeled as harbor water, which will provide a place for sideways toppling cars to land instead of falling all the way to the floor. This prototype is designed to allow for up to a 36" long car float, and a locking mechanism will be developed during the testing period securing it for transfers.

All I need is a place for the Carfloater™ to sail back and forth to. In the operating scheme, traffic will be dispatched from Jersey City (this is a recent change from the originally planned modeling of Croxton yard) where there will be three lift bridges - no waiting! Jersey City could be thought of as a working staging yard, as this will be the main connection to the rest of the Erie and the United States. Until that is built, this gives me some push to start on the next pocket yard.

Sea trials are scheduled to begin later in the week and continue throughout the summer months.

Existing 149th car float slip.

An old Metro Shelving TV cart, some scrap lumber, screws and a few clamps are the only ingredients.

The temporary foam core float bridge is the only grade at the 1-4-9. A rail on the near track popped up from the ties shortly after installing and has been a rather rude bump while servicing floats. I'm looking forward to the new float bridge as much for eliminating the bump as for getting rid of the white foam core.

The existing car float landing is a piece of 1x4 cantilevered from the bench work providing a precarious perch for a wooden car float model. This 5 minute Jerry-rigged solution has actually worked pretty well.

The upside down float stand being drilled and screwed.

Two oak upright posts with a 1x4 serving as a car float pad. Clamps secure the posts allowing for height adjustment during sea trials and to the cart since this won't be a permanent member of the marine roster. The stand actually made a pretty good work bench while constructing the float carriage, so it may be re-purposed afterward.

There is a little warpage on the top piece simulating how the harbor can get a little choppy on windy days...

The existing float bridge track is laid to match the first float I acquired. You guessed it, this doesn't match the Frenchman River models' standards. Not sure if I simply can't use this nice scratch-built float anymore or if I try to modify it. My fear is that the eBay gods will be getting an offering at some point.

View from downstream. There is plenty of length for a three foot float.

Looking down the sights.

Overhead view of the 6-car scratch-built (by others) float. This is actually a pretty good size for the 149th street operations. Having 2-4 more cars to unload and load on a larger float might get tricky due to track lengths in on shore.

Desk Cleaning = Project Progress?

In order to clean off my work bench, I had to finish a couple of projects. Usually one will say that other way 'round, but this week my goal is actually to clean my work area and the progress on any models is only beneficial collateral at this point.

The projects in question are two Erie paint and decal jobs. The first is an Erie scale test car kit from Walthers that is no longer available. I found this one on eBay for pretty cheap after letting several go to much higher bids than I finally got this one for. I then ordered the decals from Prime Mover Decals, and Paul sent out this plus another set of HBS 44 tonner decals for no. 700 that is already painted. The kit went together easily, and the decals went on really well. I used number 03440 which matched the style of the Walthers kit dead on (the only thing missing is a small sign board on the railing on the brake end of the car which I can easily add). I happen to have photos of two of the Erie fleet. You will notice that 03441 is of different design, and weighs only 62,000 lbs versus the 80,000 of 03440. '41 seems older, and the notes that Paul provides indicate that '03440 and '03443 were built in 1934 and were the newest for the railroad. He also notes that the wheel bearing style is different - but I can't make out what it is at this point. This can wait until it is shopped again, and I will add the signboard to the railing, too. Kadee no.5s seem to work well - I just need to weather them and paint the red around the couplers.

The Prototype

Older version? test car.

The other project is the painting and decaling of the JJLModels HH660 which is a Proto 2000 S2 epoxy resin modification kit. The only hiccup was my hood was a little bent on the end, but I've managed to almost completely straighten it out just using some heat from a soldering iron. The decals are old Champ brand, and I tore the first regular Roman "ERIE" I tried to apply - it just disintegrated - so I had to go to the alternate extended typeface which seems to match the photo I have of no. 302 at the floats at Jersey City. That was lucky.

It is a tight fit for the QSI sound decoder - 10 lbs of you know what in a 5 gallon locomotive. It is still glossy from the decal process, but the Dullcoat is on the way. The sound is great, and it is a good performer, and it is officially in the rotation for Harlem Station. Other locomotives currently in the rotation are nos.514, 529 and 417. Not all are weathered, but they are all sound equipped, which is my baseline criteria. Weathering will happen in a group sometime in the future.

None of these locomotives actually served at Harlem Station. I'm working on the ones that actually did: no.20 , a boxcab that I need to re-motor and/or just install a decoder, no.26, the now infamous Bachmann 44tonner that I can't get to play nice with either a LokSound micro or Micro Tsunami, and no.320, a Proto 2K S1 that needs to be renumbered and decoder-ized.

And situation normal, I haven't cleaned off my work bench, yet, which was my goal this week. Funny how other stuff always gets done before what is on my list. I find it hard to complain today, though, because I'm going to go fire up the HH660 and bang some cars around the harbor front at 149th St.

More old locomotive photos

Boxcab no.19 at Jersey City, NJ June 29th of 1958 looking pretty darn sharp. According to Phil M. Goldstein's freightrrofnyc.info, no.19 was scrapped in November of 1958 at Meadville, PA. Looks too good in this shot to be scrapped only a few months later.

I have gotten a really good cross-section of Erie locomotive photos that I am interested in having on my layout, so I may branch out to try to find some shots of the other railroads in the Port of New York area later on.

Besides the obvious usefulness of having these photos to be able to model the locomotives accurately and realistically, I find the little stuff found in the photos that have nothing to do with the locomotive proper to be of great value. These things can go a long way towards increasing the depth and richness of the modeling experience by providing insight into the details and context of the railroad one is modeling.

For instance, in the photo of no.19 above, there are several small piles of sand around the tracks from locomotives trying to get some starting tracking I presume. This is probably at a place where either road locomotives hook on to the trains at departure tracks or possibly some particular shunting location at the end of a classification area, etc. The photo above is from Jersey City, and if I knew the yard better, I could tell where this is by the building in the background.

I've modeled these sand piles before on Chuck Ellis' railroad in the yard and at passenger stations that are on grades, etc., but I had kind of forgotten about that particular element until seeing this photo. That makes it worthwhile to browse through the books and photos every once in a while to remember these already known elements and to find new ones. Cataloging these photos I have and applying tag words to their files makes it easy to find everything taken in Jersey City, for example, for either quick reference or browsing collections. This may seem like a chore, but the act of organizing allows for dedicated time to focus on the photos in a directed way that can yield deeper understanding and information about the photos themselves because of the increased attention and purposeful scrutiny.  This can make for nice collateral value from the research process.

No 614 in Buffalo, NY 12 February 1960. Besides the general locomotive information, the structure of the power poles is a good bit of modeling information.

No.707A looking smart outside Maybrook, NY, 24 February 1960. Look how and where the snow has clung to the coupler and pilot.

DL&W no.404 at East Binghampton, NY 12 April 1957. A bit of surprising info is the old Erie logo on the car behind this Lackawanna locomotive. It seems that it is late to have that logo (which was around from pre-1900s to around 1930s perhaps) still showing up in the late 50s. My guess is that it is an old wood reefer, but I bet someone else can identify it more definitively. The obvious direct take-away is that there is room for old equipment on a layout.