Category Archives: Uncategorized

4/21/21 CSME members who are interested in DCC documentation for our layout can review this narrative.  It is NOT a requirement to run on the layout, however, if there are problems, it can often help to define exact locations to assist in troubleshooting.  This is written as the DCC wiring system is being designed andContinue reading “DCC Documentation”

4/16/21 Some months back we requested a visit from the fire department and they sent 2 representatives over to have a look at our paper plans on the floor. We asked for suggestions regarding the layout and proposed open houses. Among other things, they  advised that we needed a floor length fascia around the south helix. George has been workingContinue reading “What’s With the Blue Tape?”

4/6/21 Today’s report will be mostly pictures since it’s spring and there’s lots of ranch work to be done. To be sure, progress continues on the layout. Specific scenery details are being added, DCC power districts are being defined and refined, and DCC components are being ID’d so purchases can be authorized. If you visit theContinue reading “Prepping for the Golden Spike”

3/31/21 Developing a DCC system for large layouts requires a great deal of thought. Randy, Gene, and myself sat down Monday and Tuesday mornings, put our heads together and developed a plan. This plan was based on maximum operability of the layout or, in other  words, the heaviest, best use during an operations session. We wanted to take advantage ofContinue reading “Pterodactyl Screams”

3/26/21 Doug, ever the inventive scenery guy, embarked upon a clandestine mission to pour Woodland Scenics Water Stuff into Eagle Creek and Cove. The pictures speak for themselves. Figure 4, however, is very interesting. It shows liquid-liquid interfaces of 3 liquids of differing densities. The most dense cloudy stuff is on the bottom while the clear, least dense catalyst floats on top.Continue reading “The Stuff”

3/23/21 We would like to thank all of you for your continued support and cheerleading.  When a Progress Report is issued and you take time to respond to it, to get in the spirit of the report, to compliment the work and workers, it is noticed.  It is also greatly appreciated.  It means that someoneContinue reading “Ties, Rail and Barnacles”

3/21/21 Last week was particularly important in regards to several items of interest. First, we actually started running trains – well at least test trains. You can review the previous post for a first hand glimpse of the excitement gripping workers during test runs. These test runs were based on the availability of DCC power on the track. We started atContinue reading “Golden Cork”

3/16/21 Low Water Hogan, longtime hog head on the SP&S and somewhat famous for being quite the throttle jockey, leaned out of the window of the big 700 and soaked in sounds of staccato exhaust bouncing off cliffs and hills. He had her workin’ hard with full tonnage on the 1.4% grade out of Philomath. He knew full well that a stretch of 1.7% was comingContinue reading “Kink at High Bridge”

3/9/21 Sometimes we have to engineer parts of the layout on the spot. We call an engineering meeting, evaluate the options, figure in the fix, and get to work. From time to time the fix is complicated enough that a drawing or sketch is in order. An example is where the top of the helix has to cross severalContinue reading “The High Bridge”

3/2/21 Gene Neville reports that when we lay in the remaining helix track and he makes a few more patches, the mainline will be complete. That is exciting news. It means we can start running test trains once we stitch the electrical together. Of course, when “test” trains start running, actual “work” slows down considerably.  WeContinue reading “The Schnabel Test”