September 14, 2011

Work

Tonight I was able to finish up the new curved #6 leading into the new #6 Double Crossover on the St. John’s approach.  I was also able to put in the point ties so now the turnouts an awaiting gaping and power drops and switch machines.  I also put in the new section of flex track to connect the runner to the yard.

September 14, 2011

Craig Bisgeier, Ted DiIrio, Jim Fawcett, Ted Pamperin

Work

Tonight we started two new projects.

1) St. John's Park Improvement project.

The prototype had a double crossover just out side of the entrance to the terminal. Last night Craig Bisgeier ripped out the existing single crossover while I built a new (and last) double crossover to bring St. John's up to prototype. In order to install the crossover and existing #6 turnout had to be relocated and changed into a curved turnout. Craig was able to put in most of the ties in for that as well last night.

2) Fast Clock Project.

I inherited a Time-Lynx Fast clock from George Berisso's SP&S layout a few years back. George's layout was the first operating layout I ever had the privilege to operate on. Also this is a first generation Jerry Ballina Rail-Lynx product as well. The fast clock in now installed and operational. While we may have lost both George and Jerry they will never be forgotten. I hope in some way this will always remind me to thank my mentors and to appreciate the great people that I have met in this hobby! With that in mind: thanks Ted DiIorio, Ted Pamperin and Jim Fawcett for running the lines and installing the new clocks last night. I got them all running last night!

July 20, 2011

Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Ted DiIorio, Neil Henning, Ted Pamperin

Work

Tonight’s work night started off with Tom Callan trying out a new work sheet for 28th Street Yard’s Agent.  Neil and Ted Pamperin went over the next operating session’s paper work.  Neil re-worked the train crew’s instructions to try and give them more information to complete their jobs.  Craig and Ted Pamperin worked on gluing and cutting the test image of Terminal Stores.  I started working on the final rendering of Terminal Stores based on the test.

June 8, 2011

Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Ted DiIorio, Neil Henning, Ted Pamperin

Work

Today I picked up from the Post Office my new DCC Specialties circuit breakers.  This should fix the operation problems that the High Line has been having.  The older breakers also from DCC Specialties do not recover from shorts since I introduced Tsunami decoders into the RS-1 fleet.  I hope this fixes that issue once and for all.  Craig and Tom did the actual swap out tonight.  Ted Pamperin and Craig later worked on attaching the new flat print outs to insulation foam board and foam core.  Ted DiIorio and I re-number several cars in the fleet to remove duplicates out of the inventory.  Neil extended the old Stanley siding to be a new team track.  I also began ballasting the High Line tonight. 

May 28, 2011

Work

Today I hooked up power to the new Blue Point for the John T Stanley turnout. I then ballasted the new turnout.

May 27, 2011

Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Ted DiIorio, Ralph Heiss, Jay Held, Ted Pamperin

Work

Tonight’s work session was well attended.  We got all of the jobs on my list done tonight.  Ted Pamperin and Craig put together the Wabbit controller to control the two Tortoise stall motors that will control the 33rd Street Yard pocket track.  It now is controlled by a single toggle switch.  Ralph, Tom and I got the new Blue Point installed to control the new John T. Stanley (JTS) turnout.  This means I have to produce new maps and begin ballasting the yard again.  Jay Held cut out the new building I printed out for the back drop of the railroad.  These will be available as downloads soon if you would like to print them out for you own layout.

May 22, 2011

Work

Today I walked the High Line Park with my friend Craig Bisgeier and Greg Smith.  When I got home I decided to put in the John T Stanley siding.

May 20, 2011

Work

Tonight I worked on the layout.  I printed out a new 3d paper building flat for John T Stanley soap works.  I need to cut out a foam core structure to glue the printout to.  I also cut in the new “JTS” turnout at 33rd Street Yard.  I put in the ties and put in the power drops and tie them into the power buss.  I also painted the new turnout and the flex track I picked up on Monday from MRPO.  While I was waiting for the paint to dry I put in a few more sections of guard rails on the High Line.  It was a full night’s work.

April 27, 2011

Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan, Ted DiIorio, Ted Pamperin

Work

Tonight we got a lot work done.  I started off by building a sign holder for the Lifschultz sign and the Erie Railroad sign on top of the 29th Street Freight House.  Craig and Ted Pamperin worked on creating the new backdrop at 30th Street.  Tom Callan fixed a pinched guard rail on the High Line that was stopping the RS-1s dead in their tracks.  Later Tom helped me work on the pier for 27th Street.  Ted DiIorio worked his magic again and erased portions of road numbers from three new PRR box cars.  Neil Henning dropped off 8 new built cars bringing the fleet to 603.

March 21, 2011

Work

Today I stained the agent’s desks and the work/storage table under St. John’s Park Freight Terminal.  I now have to transfer all of the contents of the old table to the new desk.

March 18, 2011

Craig Bisgeier, Ted DiIorio, Jay Held

Work

Tonight I made a run to Lowes to pick up the supplies for the replacement of the table that I used under St. John’s Freight Terminal.  I wanted a new desk that would not protrude from under the layout and still provide me with a sturdy work area and storage.  Craig, Ted and I were able to get the desk built.  Jay Held salvaged rail from the original Morgan Post Office and repurpose the rail as guard rail on the High Line.  We got a lot of work done!

March 16, 2011

Craig Bisgeier, Kevin Katta

Work

Tonight’s work night Craig, Kevin and I replaced the old fascia on the High Line that ran from St. John’s Park Freight Terminal to the lift bridge.  This required the replacing of all of the actuators for the switch machines.  By the end of the night we got the High Line fascia finished.

February 18, 2011

Ted DiIorio, Jay Held

Work

More car maintenance! Jay and I went through some more cars to get them up to snuff.  Ted DiIorio was able to erase the last digit of my new RS-1 so now it reads as 8107.  I went over the track at 28th Street and repair an issue.  There was an alignment issue just before one of the frogs.  This generated a clicking sound and some derailments.

February 17, 2011

Neil Henning

Work

Car maintenance day!  Neil and I worked on getting the cars in shape.  I picked up 62 cars from Phil Chiavetta.  I put them on the railroad without standards testing them and there where issues at 28th street with some of the cars.  I also recently picked up a twelve pack of Pacemaker cars and assorted forty foot Front Range boxcars that I need to get running soon.

February 2, 2011

Craig Bisgeier, Tom Callan Ted DiIorio, Ted Pamperin

Work

Tonight Ted Pamperin, Ted DiIorio and I repaired Turnout L1 at 30th Street.  This was a really difficult turnout to work on because of its location.  After an hour she was finally throwing smoothly!  Tom pre staged 28th Street while Craig check out all of the turnouts for Friday’s operating session.

January 5, 2011

Tom Callan, Ted DiIorio, Neil Henning

Work

First work night of the New Year!  Tonight work concentrated on just getting the layout ready for Friday op session.  There is a lot of cleaning and staging tonight!