Construction Journal of the

NYHRR

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Page Last Updated: February 19, 2011

Webmaster: David Ramos

December 1 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Jay Held, Neil Henning
Work

Tonight I started off the night by painting the newly installed bench work for Terminal Stores. Jay and Neil dropped by and got more of the High Line put in while I continued to wire it. Jay started got more work done on the curved section by the AC unit. Neil put in most of my Caboose ground throws. A good night work done again.

Terminal Stores Bench Work Tonight's Crew Jay working on the High Line Neil Me The completed Ground Throws

November 30 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier
Work

I made a Home Depot run and picked up another sheet of 1/8" Masonite. The girls helped me cut the Masonite into strips for fascia. Craig came over to help me cut the Homasote to cover the section of the bench work for Terminal Stores. I glued it down and clamped down tight. I will hopefully get it painted tomorrow.

November 24 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Jay Held
Work

Today I finished putting up some sheet rock on the isle side of the mechanical room. Jay came over and put in some more trackage on the High Line while I put the first coat of paint on the new wall. I also put in some needed feeders at 28th Street. It seems that I missed the crane track and the trackage on Twelfth Avenue. We test ran 28th Street with the new Erie S-1 (308). We found some trouble spots and started correcting them.

New Wall Jay's Work New Feeders 28th Street

November 19 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Neil Henning
Work

Today I finished installing rail along the elevated portion of the High Line. Using the RotoZip I cut the slots in the bench work for the turnout mechanisms. I then moved on to the Spear and Company siding when Neil dropped by. Neil put in all of the throw bars on the High Line so far. I was able to finish the Spear siding and put in most of the right hand main's turn. I started putting in couplers and got a few more put in. Neil also brought over two more Proto 2000 car kits for me. A good days work!

Neil Completed High Line Turn Spear and Company

November 15 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Ted DiIorio, Ralph Heiss, Jay Held, Neil Henning
Work

Last session of the round robin group for me until the end of March. I will still be working on it Tuesdays and Fridays on my own. I had a good turn out tonight. We got a lot done. Craig and Ted built the next Mole cabinet. Jay worked on the High Line while Ralph put electrical tape on the High Line sub bus. Ralph and I put up the bench work for the NYC Terminal Stores and the remaining sections of fascia. Neil came down with six more completed car kits (I still need to put couplers on them) Neil then took over for Jay on the High Line and Ted ad Craig took one tuning 28th Street and the Spear and Company turnout on the High Line. Scary Ted also made an appearance!

Cabinet Jay Ralph Neil Neil High Line High Line Curve Craig Ted and Craig Spear and Company Scary Ted

November 14 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Tonight I cut the lumber for the new mole cabinet.

October 25 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Built 6 car kits for the railroad and added them to the inventory

October 22 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier
Work

Tonight Craig and I worked on extending the DCC sub bus for the high line and working on a bug hunt.

October 18 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Ted DiIorio, Ralph Heiss, Jay Held, Rob Purcell,Wayne Shortman
Work

Big Crew tonight! Ralph and Tom Cut the hole in the wall to put the Freezer out of the isle. Wayne and Craig built the first of two Mole cabinets. These cabinets will hold the fleet of cars that are to circulate through the layout. Rob worked on constructing the F&C Wagon top B&O car kit. Ted and I began putting in the drops for the High Line. Lots done and a lot to go! On the research front I found a listing through the NYC-RR group of the sidings on the High Line. Now I have names to go with the photos. I also learned that the NYC called the High Line the following: 30 Street Branch, West Side Freight Line/Avenue Job/Viaduct. Thanks to JRF on the NYC-RR Yahoo group!

Tom Freezer Cabinet Makers Mole Cabinet Crew Jay Rob Scary Ted with Flyiing Saucer

October 16 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

With tonight's rainout of the Mets in the NLCS I decided to get some more clean up done as well as putting together one of the Hump Yard Protectors. I also finished spiking down some of the rail on the High Line.

Hump Protector Hump Protector Hump Protector Hump Protector

October 14 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Today we went to Timonium train show and I was able to pick up the decoders I needed. After getting home I installed 4 of the 5 as well as programming them. I also discovered I need to pickup several LED to put in as head lights on the locos. The fleet stands as follows:

  • 2 RS -1 NYC (one needing to be repainted)
  • 3 S-2 2 NYC, Lehigh
  • 1 S-1 NYC
  • 1 DES-3 NYC
  • 1 S motor

September 30 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

The last day of the month today. I have been working since the 25th on painting and putting rail down. I have most of the section that is attached to the wall next to 28th Street. I also painted the S1 that I picked up from Wayne for the NYC. There was also an major upgrade to my internet service that was installed under the Morgan Post Office, I now have Verizon FIOS. Very fast and a little cheaper than Optimum Online!

Fios Double Crossover going in Double Crossover in Train on the main and the siding

September 25 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

The NEW double crossover jig arrived from Fast Tracks today! I could hardly wait to get home and build one. I will be needing four plus one spare when all is said and done. I built the first one in around three hours. It looks great.

Jig The first fixture Another view

September 23 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Jay Held
Work

Jay and I spent a couple of hours today getting some rail down. It's going slow. But at the end of the afternoon Jay got the first section of the inner or left main down. I was able to connect where Neil left off and connected the outer or right main to the first crossover. I was also able to get some more spiking in along the shelf section of the High Line.

Leaving Staging The Curve The New outer main

September 21 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Ted DiIorio, Neil Henning, Wayne Shortman
Work

Last night (the 20th) I fixed up my airbrush and painted the High Line ties black. I used Golden airbrush paint available at Pearl Paint and this stuff is a dream to work with. Much better than the "craft paint" that Craig uses. Nice even finish. I got some good news from the people at Hand Laid Track, my double cross over was shipped two weeks earlier than promised. Thanks! Neil started laying more rail on the High Line from the Morgan Post Office on. I worked on a different section of the High Line cutting in rail and allot of turnouts! Wayne stopped by and put feeders in at the Morgan Post office and later started building cars for me. Ted dropped by and Helped me run Command Bus wire for the High Line and at 28th Street. I spent some time showing Ted how to make the command bus wire crimps. We finished off the night by putting up some fascia.

Newly painted Morgan PO Neil on the High Line Wayne and Ted Crew HL Siding Another View of the siding

September 16 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I started on Friday night putting ties down and I finished most of it today. I also got another #6 turnout built and I connected it to the crossover that Neil built on Thursday night. I need one more and 2 double crossovers as well as a temp yard built to begin operations late next month!

Approaching the straoght away The straight The next Curve A look back

September 14 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Neil Henning, Wayne Shortman
Work

The day started off with me ordering a No. 6 double crossover jig from the people from http://www.handlaidtrack.com. I did this since my revised plan will call for at least 4 of them. It should be here in early October. I also ordered more UTP panels from Flying Scotsman Hobbies. They have a great price and the DON'T rip you off in the shipping cost! Craig repaired some issues over at the Morgan Post Office. Tom made a bunch of tie strips for me to put down. Wayne cleaned up 28th Street and took over foe Tom on the tie strips. Neil built four No. 6 turnouts and connected them together for my crossovers. I put down some rail and allot of ties! Until the weekend!

Craig Neil Tom Wayne Ties for the Crossover The Crossovers S Curve Morgan PO Approach

September 9 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Today I finished the tracks at the Morgan Post Office. I was also able to put down more ties on the High Line. After a few weeks of waiting I finally put in the section of code 83 flex track to connect the staging yard with the mechanical room run. Craig delivered 3 more castings of the 28th Street freight House. I left them in the car while we went to Harold Werthwein's operating session today. Surprise they warp. I talk to Craig and we think we maybe able to fix them.

Morgan Post Office Front Morgan Post Office Rear High Line ties Staging Connector Freight House Castings

September 7 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Ted DiIorio, Neil Henning
Work

Tonight the first rail got laid on the High Line proper. Neil built a hand laid (no jig) #6 Curved Turnout. I laid a #6 and one siding in the Morgan Post Office. Ted and Craig put together much needed turnout tie strips and regular tie strips. Craig also brought over another newly cast section of the Freight House and told me he had poured three more section.

Neil putting in the #6 Curvered turnout Neil putting in the #6 Curvered turnout 2 Curved #6 Turnout Morgan Post Office Morgan Post Office Craig Ted Second Section The Crew

September 4 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I started laying out the tracks for the High Line after painting the Homasote. I printed out a bunch of tie plans from www.HandLaidTrack.com. I went over to Craig's house for a Labor Day BBQ. Surprise Craig pulled the first cast section of the 28th Street Freight House! Craig also was able to make 2 more molds for 28th Street. The truck side and the second rail side (shaft way) mold. No I need to pick up some more resin.

Morgan Post Office To Staging Crossing The Crossover 28th Street Casting

September 3 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Jay Held
Work

Jay came over today and gave me a hand painting the High Line superstructure and the sections I put together yesterday! Next the section will be attached and marked for ties and rail.

HL_1 HL_2 HL_3 HL_Siding HL_Benchwork

September 2 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

With the big rain today I cut out the next three sections for the High Line. I glued up the Homasote to the 1/4" plywood. Tomorrow painting!

HL_01 HL_02 HL_03 HL_04 Car On the High Line

August 31, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Neil Henning, Ray Louis, Rob Purcell,Wayne Shortman, Jeff Ward
Work

High Line is high balling! Tonight the first section of plywood and Homasote made it to the elevated section of the High Line. A new crew member was brought down by Craig. Welcome to the group Rob Purcell! Tom worked on completing the cross beams on the High Line while Neil and I cut the 1/4" plywood and the homasote. Ray started off the night by using the DeWalt saw to mill down the existing 3/4" plywood that was attached to the wall by 1/4" Jeff came down to see the layout for the first time and check out the progress. Wayne and I applied the plywood and Homasote to the High Line while Craig and Ray went on a bug hunt of the turnouts at 28th Street. Rob and I prepped the new section of bench work for paint. The guy left around mid night and I then cleaned up the place!

Crew 1 Crew 2 Crew 3 Jeff Ward The Connection The Turn The Sidings The Next Section

August 28, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I got home for work to night and I got the work bug! I started off by building another turnout for the High Line bringing the total so far to three code 70 fast track turnouts (2 left, 1 right). I also began installing the cross sections that connect the bents together, I got about half way when I decided to call it a night. I also went on a bug hunt and found that the three way turnout in staging is not DCC ready, I also tested 28th Street with S-2. I found that one turnout needs work as well as the wiring needing to be completed.

View of 30th Street with the New Higih Line substructure The Turn Between 11th and 10th Looking down the top of the High Line The Soap Siging The Steel siding The Sidings near the High Line

August 27, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier
Work

Today Craig stopped over and helped me cut the rest of the cross pieces and up rights of the High Line supports. After Craig left I got the rest of the them assembled and installed. I also took the time to clean off 30th Street. Just a quick note: Craig dropped off the first of the 350 foot car floats on Wednesday. We need to size it up be for finishing and detailing.

Throat Soap Enter HL 30 1 HL 30 2 HL South Turn HL Steel HL North

August 26, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Ray Louis
Work

Ray came over and we got some of the High Line support system up. Following a suggestion from Tom I drilled hole in the bench work and the supports. Then I inserted a wooden dowel to fasten the support to the bench work. This allows for the supports to be easily removed to be painted and detailed.

A view from staging A view heading to staging A view from the 39th Street trackage The High Line Turn

August 24, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Ray Louis
Work

Ray and I cut up a couple of 1" X 3" into 1/2" x 1/2" strips and 1 1/8" x 1/2" strips. Construction on the stand in High Line supports started tonight. Craig was tapped to perform the actually construction tonight. Craig was able to get 21 of the 27 built! Tom put the flex track down along with feeders and sub bus on the High line connector to staging. Ray got nearly three more Humps in while I built two more #6 turnouts. Ray snapped a photo of the wiring jungle that is under 28th Street

Craig Craig Putting HL Suuports Output Tom Tom2 Staging Approach Ray Humps Wiring

August 22, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Ray Louis
Work

Today was a bonus session! Ray came over for cake to help celebrate my daughters 11th birthday. After the festivities Ray and I put a couple of hours in on bench work and turnout controls. Ray worked on another turnout on 28th Street while I made more tie strips. I used up 1000 ties. I had gotten most of the bench work that I put up on the 17th painted so I decided to build the section of removable bench work that goes from the upper High Line staging to the High Line. I had done most of the cutting done last week with Neil so it was just a matter of putting it together. Ray finished working on the turnout just as I about to attach the homasote! A good nights work!

Ray Starting on the turnout Ray under the Layout A view from staging Leaving Staging To the High Line

August 17, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Ralph Heiss, Neil Henning, Wayne Shortman
Work

Ralph came over early and we broke out the table saw and we began to cut up plywood and Homasote for the High Line turn and the Morgan Post Office. Wayne came over and worked on soldering the drops on 28th Street. Neil got a few more turnouts working smoothly. Ralph and I built and mounted the Morgan PO section and the High Line turn. We also got a section of the Hump Protectors up as well. I will get these sections painted be for next session!

Ralph Wayne Neil 2 High Line Turn Morgan PO Hump Protectors

August 13, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Neil Henning
Work

A short work session. Neil came over for an hour and helped me cut some lumber on Friday. I mounted the High Line staging yard over the mole yard. I needs a brace or two but is for the most part finished. I need to stop off at Radio Shack and pick up a two pin connector for the lift out section of staging, I got the High Line portion that is up painted and marked for rail and ties. I was also able to run the bus wire. I need to start building some Fast Track turnouts for the High Line this week.

Staging High line 1 High Line 2

August 10, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Neil Henning, Ray Louis, Wayne Shortman
Work

Another big crew tonight and more work has been done.  I started off my night by laying the staging yard for the High Line.  I also made sure that my Carvel Flying Saucer supplies where in place for tonight!  Wayne attached the plywood to the wall that will support the lift out section of the High Line staging.  Craig dropped the feeders for the staging and connected the wiring bus.  Neil, Ray and Tom concentrated on putting in more Hump throws at 28th Street.  Tom built most of the remaining throws while I built the mechanisms.  Wayne also soldered some of the drops from 28th Street to the main sub bus.  Wayne also spiked down the Atlas code 83 flex track to the lift section of the High Line staging and Craig later attached the power drops and a sub bus.  As the night wound down I was able to cut some 1/8” plywood that will become the foundation of the 28th Street float bridge.

Crew working on 28th Street Everyone sans Craig Hums at 28th Street Turnout Gang Ray Craig wiring staging Craig High Line staging

August 3, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Neil Henning, Ted DiIorio, Ray Louis
Work

Tonight I had a full crew!  I started off painting the new fascia in Staging and a section that will go in the mechanical room.  Neil and I ran the Power bus to 28th Street along with the Cab bus.  We also ran the Cab bus to the staging yard.  Now all the UTP are connected and after trouble shooting with Craig they all work.  Craig worked on the DCC system doing some of the connections to the NCE system.  Ray worked on the Turnouts and got some more working and new ones connected.  Ted soldered all of the drops in Staging to the sub bus while I soldered the drops in the mechanical room to the sub bus. Neil put down the decking material that I bought at the National Train Show in Philadelphia.  We capped off the evening with Carvel Flying Saucers as Ted and I got the fascia installed in the mechanical room.  After everyone left, I fitted a new section of fascia to the water section of 28th Street.

Staging FasciaCraig Ray Scary Ted Neil Just Decked Decking Close Up Peir with Decking Mechanical Room Fascia New Fasica in Water Section

August 1, 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Tom Callan, Neil Henning
Work

Tonight Tom and Neil came over. Tom assembled more of the Hump Yard throws and Neil put in all of the throw bars on the 28th Street yard. I put out two more UTP panels as well as putting up another section of fascia in the staging yard. I got one more throw in on 28th street and had problems putting in the second throw in. Hopefully Ray will be here Thursday night.

Fascia in StagingFirst Hump Yard Throws at 28th StreetUTP and Throws at 28th Street Hump Protectors

July, 30 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Today I built covers to protect the Hump Yard throws. I got about three built but they still need to be painted. Moving along after Ray was over Friday night I think I see how he got the Hump Yards to work I tried tonight and I was able to get it to work as well on the one turnout I connected.

Completed 30th Street Fascia Turnout Covers East Switch

July, 28 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Tom Callan, Neil Henning, Ray Louis
Work

I took a trip to Home Depot where I picked up 100 feet of bus lines (100 ft red and 100 white) as well as a 4’ x 8’ x 1/8” sheet of Masonite,  and a package of  ¾” screws.  I cut up the Masonite into fascia blanks.  Tom and I setup and painted the remaining fascia for the New York Central’s 30th Street Yard.  We also cutout the slots for the NCE UTP panels both on 30th Street and 28th Street.  Neil Drilled all the holes for the Hump Yard Purveyance throw while Ray fixed two of the throws for the yard lead and the first turnout.  I re-attached the UTP panel at 30th Street as well as the power cutoff panel.  Neil and Tom ran the bus lines for 30th Street and the staging yard.  We are chugging along to my goal of operating in October! 

Ray Hard at Work Ray and NeilNeil Making holesTom and Neil Tom Building Humps

July, 27 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I had to remove all of the fascia and I got them all painted. I need to make a Home Depot run to pickup some Masonite to complete the fascia insulation. I reinstalled the fascia now sporting it's Navy Blue paint. I put back the Hump throws that I had up. Bad news, the one that worked with the Atlas turnout no longer works. The modified one still works fine. I installed four more of the Hump Yard Purveyances. These where much more difficult to put in but once again they work!

Fascia with Humps installed Tubes Connections

July, 25 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Tonight I decided to see if I could get over the hump in setting up the Hump Yard Purveyances. The firs turnout fixed and working was the throw that will control the Atlas turnout heading either to staging or to the Yard lead.  After a few minuets of futzing with it I finally got it to work, next was the turnout that Neil and I had so much problems with this past weekend.  Using some soft Brass tubing and some 040 piano wire I made my own cable.  With no play in the tubing the turnout worked perfect!

FirstTubing Connection

July, 23 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier , Neil Henning
Work

Tonight Craig and Neil dropped by.  Neil and Craig put up some of the facial. Craig finished up soldering up the 30th Street yard for DCC and Neil and I worked on the Hump Yard Throws.  We did not have much luck with them tonight.  We did get on to throw but not consistently. 

Humps

July, 20 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Tom Callan, Neil Henning
Work

Cool work tonight and last night.  Last night Neil and Tom came over and help me install an 18,000 BTU air conditioner into the layout room!  Big difference in the feel of the room tonight!  Tom and I install a number of the turnout mechanisms.  I add a new feature that I picked up from Harold Werthwein, a return spring. Most of the turnouts on 30th street are now just waiting for the throw mechanisms. Also tonight I had the first train to leave staging and enter 30th Street via DCC power!

AC Throw Mech Installed Throw Mech Throw Bar First Train

July, 16 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I got some work done today.  I put in a new light over the mole staging yard.  I also finally connected (after 5 years) the last can lamp. After that I put up a small section of sheet rock up to prevent cars from falling into the all.  I also got three more turnouts fitted with the gizmos I came up with.  I need some springs to provide closure force.

July, 13 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Neil Henning
Work

Craig came over with Neil tonight.  Craig got a good chunk of the wiring done for the throat of 30th Street.  Neil put down the plywood decking on the pier for 28th Street and he marked out the supports for the high line. I got most of the leads dropped for the mole staging yard while Neil put the Caboose ground throws in.  I was also able to cut in the re-railers and do the final tie in of the mechanical room tracks.  I need a de-humidifier!  Tomorrow night I work on the turnouts!

Craig Neil and Craig Mech Room Neil 3Way Mole Me

July, 9 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Jay Held
Work

Craig came over today and we started working on the DCC system.  Craig put in the circuit breaker and began wiring up the drops to the 30th Street sub bus.  Jay also dropped and with his help we got the bench work built and put in for the mole yard.  Craig and I had a bug hunt on the layout and found the problem.  After doing some work on the T motor we got it to run.  First motive power move!  After everyone left I got the flex track down for the mole yard!

DCC Mole Drop Leaf 3 Way

July 7 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Tom Callan
Work

Most of the crew is at the National Convention of the NMRA in Philadelphia this week.  Tom came over and put in a hard night working on the turnout control mechanisms while I worked on the tracks that travels through the mechanical room.  A nice tight fit!

Tom Mechanical room tracks ready to go! Mechanical room Approach Inside the mechanical room

June 28 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Tom Callan, Neil Henning, Jay Held, Wayne Shortman
Work

Tonight started off with Tom stopping by and dropping of the Rix Rax throw assembly for me to try out.  Neil stopped by and spiked down the LAST of the rail that needed to be put down in 30th Street.  Jay and Wayne got the bench work built to connect 30th Street to the mole staging yard.  To my surprise a stud was not where it was suppose to be and now I have a re-design to do.  The back track will go through the wall into the mole and the front track will be the yard lead.  I got another turnout mechanism built and installed at 30th Street.  Neil and I transferred the High Lines foot print onto 30th Street yard.  After everyone left I cleaned off all the bench work.  All in all a great nights work!

Neil Neil spiking away Turnout throw Wayne and Jay Wayne Heading for the mole 30th Street Crossing to 30th Street Crossing Under The High LineTrain on Track 82 T Motor 28th Street The Layout

June 27 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I built a turnout mechanism that work smoothly. I used 1/4" X 1/8" Brass tubing and 0.72 brass rod. I drilled 3 holes in the tubing and soldered the rod through one end. I turned the rod down to fit through a small hole in the throw tie and screwed the tube through the center hole to the plywood skin. I then attached the Hump Yard cable to the third hole. I worked but need to be fine tuned. The main issue is how far away from the pivot screw does the Hump Yard device get attached? Stay tuned!

June 26 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier
Work

Craig came over tonight and we got a break in the weather. We cut up some homasote for the mole staging approach. I also got more of one of the sidings is. I need to take a break tomorrow. I switched work nights with Craig since I have to work Thursday night. I hope to get the supports into the mechanical room. I need to build a few more #6 turnouts.

June 25 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Neil Henning
Work

Neil came over tonight and we got three more sidings put it.  There is just two more sidings to go and then the staging yard goes in!

Putting Siding In New Siding Another view of the new siding Neil Working a long 2 More to Go

June 25 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work
OK, I should have gone to bed but I designed the Mole Yard for the New York Central and here it is! The stub track that stays in the mechanical room is for the operator to have room to work the yard. It stays at 49" while the yard lead drops 3 " to clear the electrical panel. Mole

June 24 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I worked on the railroad tonight and got the rest of the Soap Factory’s siding in as well as soldering in the rest of the tracks power drops.  I also think I got the design for the mole yard(s) flushed out.

Power Drops Soap Siding #0th Street and High Line Main Siding

June 23 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Jay Held
Work

This was an unexpected work night.  Tom and I mulled over the new water heater that is in the way of my staging yard.  The Town codes prevent me from moving it and so I have to get a different approach on the staging of the New York Central.  With Jays’ help we kicked around the idea for a mole staging yard.  This would require three tracks for each leg of the Central.  Now I’am left with working out the details.   Craig came over and put more of the Soap Factory’s siding in and Jay fixed a curve in the yard.  Tom and I spent the rest of the night putting in feeders for yard throat. A lot of work got done for a none work night..

Fixed Curve Another View of Fixed Curve Yard Throat Yard Water Heater

June 20 , 2006

 
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Neil Henning, Matt Klemchalk, Ray Louis, Wayne Shortman
Work

What a night!  Wayne and Craig got a portion of the High line put in. as Ray and Tom worked on the turnouts on 28th Street.  Neil and Matt where spiking rails down on 30th Street. While I got the desk and the rest of the cabinet pulled from the space. A good night’s work until the water heater started leaking.  Big wet blanket on the rest of the summer since now I’am told the chimney will need a liner. Well there goes my vacation!

Highline Matt New Siding Craig 30th Street Yard

June 15 , 2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Some light work tonight.  I add a new siding and put a few more spikes into the soap factory siding.  I also started putting the next siding in.  I also shot some video of a box car rolling along.

New VIDEO CLIP

June 10 , 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Ralph Heiss, Jay Held, Wayne Shortman
Work

The day started off with Wayne and I working one the new Hump Yard Purveyance switch machines.  We quickly realized that we need a little bit more engineering to make them work.  Due to the thickness of the bench work (3/4” plywood topped by 1/2 ” Homasote) the wire was bending without throwing the turnout.  Neil was able to get it throwing from the top of the layout and he built a bell crank that worked fine also.  Ralph got his feet wet laying some rails for the soap factory siding.   At this point the yard throat is complete.

Yard 1 Yard 2

June 6 , 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Neil Henning
Work

Tonight Neil and I where able to put in two more new sidings art 30th Street.  The new sidings are meat handling track and the dump track.  I was also able to replace some more ties, After Neil left for the evening I put in one more set of rails and I put in the partial ties the three siding that trail off the layout.  I was also able to start work on the New York Central High line.  I should be able to add it in but it will mean that the plans for the B&O will have to be dropped.  I will post the updated plans soon!

Meat Sidings Yard Throat 1 Yard Throat 2

June 5 , 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Neil Henning
Work

Tonight, Neil and I laid a good portion of the rail for New York Central’s 30th Street yard.  I was able to correct some tie issues that needed fixing.  The drop leaf bridge was also completely railed. I also photographed the slots that we maid for the turnout armatures.

From Staging SB Looking East Dropleaf 1 Dropleaf 2 Slot

June 3 , 2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

A very good day at the RPM in Connecticut today! When I got home there waiting for me was the Hump Yard Purveyance package. I also received from my good friend Russell Fiero a New York Central S-3 electric!

S Motor S Motor 2 Hump

June 2 , 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Neil Henning, Jay Held , Ray Louis
Work

Tonight we got a lot of work done.  All of the new turnouts for the New York Central where gaped and then laid down.  The dropped bridge was painted tied and the first rail was laid down.  Ray was able to re-do all the turnouts on 28th Street for the new Hump Yard Purveyance devices (they cashed the check today; I hope that they will ship shortly).  Jay was a big help tonight.  He brought down 2,000 more ties from MRPO for me.  The New York Central has use over 3,000 ties not including these.  Neil worked on the track work as well as Jay.  I hope to have my first operating session in October! I worked out a new staging yard plan as well as a new addition to the layout.  I’am planning on adding the New York Central High Line. 

DL1 DL2 DL3 NJ RH RT TO

May 31, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I was able to get down most of the ties that I will need to get the New York Central built sans the staging yard.  I still need three more turnouts, 1 left and 2 rights.

May 26, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Jay Held, Neil Henning, Ray Louis, Wayne Shortman
Work

This was an interesting work session.  We decided to move the water heater to get the staging yard in for the New York Central.  Neil and Wayne produced 3,000 ties in tie strips.  We got them all down but it looks like I need a few thousand more to go.  Craig finished up the diamonds.  Ray worked on the electrical systems for the 28th street yard.  Tom and Jay got some work done on the drop leaf connecting the New York Central to the 28th street section.   I built 5 more turnouts during the week.  I need three more to finish the Central and about 5 more to build the staging yard.  Until next session

May 21, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Today started off with the construction of the printer cart for my 5Si. It now fits under the layout. I was able to put together a few more #6 turnouts bringing my total to 5. 16 more turnouts to go for the Central’s of the layout. Jay and I worked on the New York Central’s bench work. We where able to get the angled portion built and skinned with homasote. After Jay left I got the last portion of the bench work built that is not in the mechanical room. I will get it painted Monday night and tracks should be going down by the end of the week.

May 18, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Neil Henning
Work

What a big day today. I got a major portion of the New York Central decked and covered with homasote. I also gave the walls another coat of paint as well as painting the new bench work. I had picked up a Fast Track #6 turn out jig a few weeks ago and I put it to use tonight. WOW this is the way to do it. Two turnouts finished after all the bench work was completed. Fast Track jigs are available at http://www.handlaidtrack.com. Excellent product! I also redrew and made some changes to the New York Central pulling it closer to the operator and spreading out the tracks that I decided to keep.

Craig got the first of the diamonds completed. Craig wants to finish the second diamond before he gaps them. Neil got more of the turn outs wired and he started gaping them as well.

The NCE DCC system came in as well! I’am looking forward to it being installed very soon! By the way Flying Scotsman Hobbies is the best place to order DCC from. I ordered the 1) Power House 5 Amp Starter set, 1) Cab05P, 1) NCE P515 power supply and 3) UTP panels on Friday. It arrived on Monday! That is fantastic service.

So ends a long day!


May 11, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Ted DiIorio, Ray Louis
Work

I got some of the walls painted with concrete paint on Wednesday night. I was ready for some new bench work to begin this Thursday night. Ray and I built a large portion of the bench work and we got 8 feet of plywood down. We had to stop when I ran out of leg bolts (need to run to the Lowe's tomorrow). Ted did a great job getting the feeders that ray put in last week soldered. I need to do some cleaning and painting done for next week’s session. I am hoping to get the homasote down and painted and putting ties down for the New York Central. I am going to need a lot more ties!

May 5, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier
Work Lumber run! Craig and I picked up 5 sheets of 3/4" plywood and 3 sheets of 1/2 " homasote. We spent the rest of the afternoon cutting the plywood for the New York Central section of the railroad. This week we should start the bench work.
May 4, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Ray Louis, Neil Henning
Work

Tonight the last of the turnouts in the 28th Street yard have been nearly completed. Neil finished the bulk of the turnouts leaving me with the guard rails and the soldering to be done. Ray and I tore down the old paneling prepping the walls for the back drop supports. Craig started work on the twin diamonds between the New York Central and the Erie while I put in the first of the New York Central 12th Avenue line. I also finished up the preliminary design for the 30th Street yard. Ray started putting in the power leads for all the turnouts. We got a lot done tonight!

April 27,2006  
PARTICIPANTS Neil Henning, Ray Louis
Work

Neil and Ray came over and we got some work done tonight. Neil got a few more turnouts ready for me to solder. Ray and I put in the dolphins south of the 28th street float bridge. Ray was able to start fine tuning the turnouts that have been put down already. After everyone left I started working on the turnout for the team track. We also started cleaning out the space that will house the NYC 30th Street yard (well part of anyway).

April 23,2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Neil Henning
Work

I started off the evening by attaching the car float support to the hinge I put in over the weekend. It needs to be puttied and painted. Neil and I got the dam built for the envirotex pour next week. Craig stopped by and finished putting down the ties for the yard while Neil put in a new turnout. After everyone left I sanded and stained the new ties. I was also able to put down the rails for the second siding on the 29th Freight house.

April 21,2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Jay Held
Work

I started off the night with a Home Depot run. I picked up two hinges, for the car float support drop leaf. Jay came over with his new saw from Micro Mark. It’s a lot smaller than it looks like in the catalogue but works just fine. Jay and I cut the 1/8” plywood to skin the pier. The saw worked out great and we finished the work by 10:00 PM. Jay and I also put in the supports and shelf for the DCC system. Craig came over and put in tow and a half more turnouts. They need to be soldered but are pretty much done. I stayed up after Craig and Jay went home and spiked the two new sidings that Craig’s turn outs connected. I also attached one of the new hinges and started sanding the plywood for the car float support. Long night but we got a lot done.

April 18,2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Just got some work done tonight. I put in the remaining cross supports on the pier and did some clean up. I also finished putting in the remaining rails down for the 28th street Freight House. I was also able to put in the first team track and soldered all the rail joiners and the remaining power drops. My next projects are the twin diamonds on 12th Avenue, the pier, the New York Central trackage and of course the water.

April 12,2006  
PARTICIPANTS Tom Callan, Jay Held, Neil Henning, Ray Louis
Work

Wow! This was my first Wednesday night session. It was my turn on the round robin with Craig and Jay. We hit the half way point on the turnouts! Neil put in three turnouts tonight. Tom came over and started the putting in the power drops. Jay stained most of lumber needed to finish the pier. Ray put all the pile caps on the pier. I continued to spike down more of the sidings as well as helping Neil with the three turnouts. I also got a major portion of the drawing for the 29th Street Freight House. Coming soon WATER!

April 10,2006  
PARTICIPANTS Neil Henning
Work

Neil came over tonight and worked on the turnouts for the 28th Street Freight house while I worked on the pier cross supports. All cross supports are now done and the pile caps are next. Neil finished the turnout!

April 9,2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I started putting in the supports for the pier pilings up. In between waiting for the supports to dry I filled in the ties left over from Ray on Friday night. I also got a cross support in from the leg led to the older set. I need to put a cross support going from the back of the bench work to the front.

April 7,2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Ted DiIorio, Ray Louis, Neil Henning, Mike Sicurella
Work

What a crowd tonight. Neil was over early and we built and installed the next set of leg supports under the water section. I have given the water an additional coat of paint on Thursday night as well as putting up the sea wall and placing the 28th Street Freight House Parts on styrene sheets. Craig and Ray worked on the remainder or the switch ties as well as finishing up two more turnouts. Craig also got the frog started for the next turnout. Mike Sicurella came over along with Ted DiIorio. Mike started cutting and staining the deck planks for the pier. Ted Started off the night by painting the new legs black then helping me finish off the pilings. Neil and I worked on getting in the pilings and cutting them to size. Neil got all of them in!

April 3,2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

I started by finishing sanding the water area. After I finished the sanding I picked up the paint from Craig that he used on his water. The first coat is finally down!

April 2,2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Slow night tonight. I filled in the cracks on the water section and filled a major gap between the two pieces of plywood. I also finished up spiking Track 1 on the 28th Street freight house. I also tuned up the Caboose Ground throw (202). Neil told me he finished the first wall section on the master model. Things are moving along fine.

April 1,2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Today I finished the turnout the is West of the three way turnout. I also started spiking down the the first track next to the 28th Street Freight House.

March 31, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Jay Held
Work

Today Jay came over and we clean off the “water” area of the layout. We then sanded it flat (well close to flat) and laid out the pilings for the float bridge approach and the Lackawanna Pier. Next step is the putty the cracks in the “water” areas and paint the water. Craig came over and tuned the three way turnout and completed most of the next turnout on the ladder. These turnouts are really close. The points are hitting right next to the frogs. The first siding of the 28th street freight is ready for completion. I started working on the approach turnout to the ladder three way turnout.

March 30, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Neil Henning
Work

Today Craig worked on finishing up the three way turnout. He filled the multiple frogs with solder and then cleaned them out with a cutoff hack saw blade. Neil and I put together another section of bench work. This portion of the bench work is for the Lackawanna Pier (68). I started off the evening by printing out the foot prints for the 28th street freight house and the 29th street freight house. Neil also completed more work on the master models for the 28th street freight house.

March 23, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Ray Louis, Neil Henning
Work

After being sick most of this week it was great to get some work done. Neil started off the evening by continuing work on the 28th street freight house masters. Craig started back up working on the three way turnout. Ray and I put in the bench work for the Pier section. At the end of the evening we checked out Craig's handy work and made some suggestions.

March 19, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Jay Held, Neil Henning
Work

Jay Held came over in the early afternoon. Jay was a big help making tie strips and helping me lay out the remaining stub tracks with ties. Neil came over and started putting down rail on the three way switch. Craig came over and picked up right where Neil left. Craig was able to put in the first frog on the layout as well as the first closure rail. I completed the bracing on two more of 28th street freight house. We should start putting in the details parts on this week. The layout is starting to jell. I also started the twin crossings on 12th Avenue. Well another day down!

March 18, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Neil Henning
Work

Well, what started out as a quick evening, turned into a late night work session. Craig worked on the ties for the ever more complicated track work at 28th Street. Neil and I worked on the beginnings of the master models for the 28th street Freight House.

March 14, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier, Neil Henning
Work

Tonight Craig came over to help setup the ties for the first and most important turn out on the 28th street layout, the three way! Neil came over with the bench grinder (loaner), to assist in the construction of the beast. Neil also cut the last section of homasote for this portion of the layout. We started around7:30 PM and went to 11:30 PM. This is going to be one tough coolie. Each point falls just passed the frog of the turnout before it. This is going to be a lot of fun!!

March 12, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work

Today I used the master drawing to transfer the plan to the bench work. I used a suggestion from Craig Bisgeier. I used a "pounce" wheel to trace the track center lines. Once the centerlines where traced I used chalk to make a faint line on the bench work. I then went over the lines with a yellow art pencil. Now it is the time to make and put down ties. I have a tie jig, that I got from Craig Bisgeier, but I need to make one for the turnouts. Using the ties I bought from MRPO yesterday with Neil Henning, I started making tie strips. I made about dozen strips and then I started putting them down. I started with the 29th Street section first (no reason). I will need some help getting the ties set for the double ladder. The tie jig picture here was made by Jeff Ward for Craig Bisgeier. Craig gave it to me to build my layout.

Update!!! I just finished the first bag of Micro Engineering Ties (1000).

March 9, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work I did not get much work done tonight on the construction of the layout. I did attach one section of Homasote to the Union section. I then spent most of the night re-drawing 28th Freight House based on some photo's I got from Jay Held on Saturday. I got the 12 and 11 Avenue Views drawn.
March 6, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS Craig Bisgeier,Ralph Heiss, Ray Louis, Neil Henning
Work

What can I say. They came, they sawed, and the completed!. We got a lot done. Ralph and I completed the main union section that ties the whole thing together. Craig began the evening by painting the top portion of 28th Street. Ralph and Neil cut some plywood (and a defenseless saw horse) to cover the pier section. Very cool a lot got done tonight. Ray and Neil created the bench work grid for the pier section as well as fix the banana shaped Terminal Stores section back to a proper rectangle. Craig, Ray and Neil acted as human clamps!! It will take me a few weeks before I have a crew over for the next session!

March 5, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work:

After picking up lumber on Saturday for Jay Held's layout I was able to build my own "L" girder bench work. I also bought a very inexpensive black paint at the local Lowe's. It's called Enterprise and it was $10.00 a gallon. I painted the "L" girder and the underside of the main deck. The paint covered well and dried pretty quickly. I'm looking forward to some members of the NJ Round Robin Crew coming over tomorrow (Monday Night)!

February 28, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS  
Work:

I got home from work and I glued the rest of the homasote down. After about 6 hours I removed the screws and the hold downs that I used to clamp the homasote I placed a copy of HO scale plans down on the layout. Can I call it that now?? I place some cars to check the spacing and see if I had to change anything! Looks ok so far! Have a look:

February 27, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS: Ileana
Work:

Tonight I cut out the Homasote to cover the 28th street grid. I glued and screwed in the 11th Avenue side and then cut and fit the rest of the section from the larger chunk of Homasote

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February 26, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS:  
Work:

Attached the plywood to the 28th street grid.

February 24, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS:  
Work:

I built up the first section of bench work. This is the section that will support the 28th street section of the layout.

February 20, 2006  
PARTICIPANTS: Craig Bisgeier, Neil Henning
Work: Picked up the first load of lumber for the layout today. Neil and I went to Home Depot and picked up 2 sheets of plywood and a sheet of 1/2 inch Homasote. We took the lumber to Craig's house and cut up one sheet of plywood into 2 1/2 inch strips.

 

Last Updated: February 19, 2011