Track Work
It's been a busy time in the Foster household over the last two months. Helen had back surgery in early November so I had to take up the role of housefrau while she recovered. But it has been equally busy on the GSD. In my last brief post in early November I had built Dartmoor on the Heywood Branch, including the Glenelg River Tresle.
Since then I have completed the VR mainline up to the point of entering the staging yard at Heywood, completed the Millicent Branch, including the Tantanoola siding, Snuggery and the Apcel Paper network trackage. The local switching panel and Cobalt switch machines still need to be installed.
Snuggery Station
Apcel Paper
On the SAR, the trackage now extends west to Wirrega, Bridgewater is in, and trackage to Upper Sturt is laid and powered.
Bridgewater
Framing
I have commenced the final section of framing for the centre island to support Wirrega and Murray Bridge.
Wiring
I was having difficulty installing Tortise and Cobalt switch machines from under the layout. The best laid plans to install them with the table tops upside down just didn't work for my 'evolutionary' approach to track planning. In discussions with GT, he suggested I use M3 bolts from the top of the base board thereby avoiding the muck around of trying to install small screws upside down, with associated swearing. I quickly designed up a drilling template for each type of switch machine, 3D printed it and "viola", easy installation. Of course machines are prewired, so no soldering upside down with associated burn scars on the forehead. (How do I know this?)
It has never been so easy to install these wretched machines, particularly in awkward spots..
Control Panels are proving a problem.
Earlier in the month I set Ron Solly a Challenge. The Millicent Branch is a 'Dark Section' relying on Train Orders delivered by Staff Exchange to control train safety. I asked Ron to design a circuit where operators can take control of a section by 'holding the Staff' electronically. I am please to say within 24hr not only had he designed the circuit but both he and Ray Brownbill had built me relay modules to drive the system.
Ray’s Relay Module
Rolling Stock Maintenance
Over the Reporting Period I installed a number of Decoders and replaces cracked wheel gears for mates in Auscision and Powerline SAR 830's, Trainorama VLine S Class, Trainorama CR CLP's, Austrain VR T Class and Auscision AN G Class. I really enjoy working on the these models as I can lose myself in the task. Some are bears to get apart, but that's all part of the challenge.
I have a Trainorama 930 on the rack at the moment, one of mine, that keeps shorting out. Haven't found the issue yet, but I will get it. I also noted the rear bogie on my Trainorama S Class often picks points, a bit of work there methinks.
3D Printing
I arced up the Elegoo Saturn 2 Resin Printer over the period and continued the development of the SAR Y wagon. I am pretty happy with the detail so far. I have also printed wheat bag loads. Of course I can't be totally happy until I get the thumbs up from Bob Bevan, who chided me for putting wheat bag loads on my OBf wagons.
The SAR Stone Hopper project is ongoing. I have had some challenges in the drawing which is proving frustrating to overcome but
The FDM printer has been flat our printing Tantanoola and Snuggery Stations, Tunnel mouths, and DPDT switch mounts for the facsia.
Train Control
Not much to report here. I am not happy with the way I have set up the DCC command centre. Its in an inconvenient position and difficult to get to. Need to rethink it.
It never ends......... luckily. Hehehe!
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