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Sacramento Model Railroad Historical Society, Inc.

 

Copyright © 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Sacramento Model Railroad Historical Society, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.

This is the occasionally-updated weB LOG of what's going on in our various construction tasks.  Yes, now it's a BLOG.

May 2011

Less than two months to the NMRA national convention in Sacramento.  The troops have rallied!

Here's our punch list:

Red:  Must be accomplished    Green: Need to accomplish, but not critical/nice to have done
Yellow: Completed projects    White: forget about it!

Oakland Mole

1)                  Install backdrop.

2)                  Paint backdrop.

3)                  Install tracks.

4)          Wire tracks.

5)          Test tracks.

6)                  Paint tracks.

7)                  Ballast tracks.

8)         Install switch motors.

9)         Install new yard panel at east end.

10)              Place correct buildings and light them if needed.

11)              Finish up with scenery.

 

Oakland Industrial

1)         Install backdrop.

2)                  Paint backdrop.

 

Desert Yard

1)                  Install backdrop.

2)                  Paint backdrop.

3)                  Repair tracks       Done

4)                  Paint tracks.

5)                  Ballast tracks.

6)                  Do basic scenery.

 

Martinez

1)                  Finish painting backdrop.                   Done

2)                  Place correct buildings and light them if needed.

3)                  Install station platform.

4)                  Install road crossing.

5)                  Finish ballasting tracks.

6)                  Finish up with scenery.                       Almost Done

Suisun Bay

1)         Repaint the backdrop.

Mikon

1)                  Repaint backdrop?

2)                  Place new track crossing, will not work.        Done

3)                  Place correct building “tower” and light them if needed.

4)                  Place signals?

5)                  Paint tracks.

6)                  Ballast tracks.

7)                  Finish up with scenery.

 

Sacramento

1)                  Fill in all holes around the tracks.       Done

2)                  Repaint tracks if needed.

3)                  Ballast all SP mainline tracks. Done

4)                  Ballast all WP mainline tracks.           Done

 

12th Street Yard

1)            Repair tracks if needed.                      Done

2)            Fill in all holes around the tracks.       Done

3)            Ballast all the 12 street yard tracks, assigned to Inman.

4)            Work on roundhouse area/detail, assigned to Fritz.

 

R Street

1)                  Place correct buildings, and light them if needed “this is on going”.

2)                  Work on building the roads.

3)                  Fill in all holes around the tracks.

4)                  Repaint tracks if needed.

5)                  Ballast tracks.

6)                  Finish up with scenery.

 

Marysville

1)                  Repaint backdrop.

2)                  Place correct buildings, and light them if needed.

3)                  Fill in all holes around the tracks.

4)                  Repaint tracks if needed.

5)                  Ballast tracks.

6)                  Finish up with scenery.                       Almost Done

 

Keddie wye area

1)                  Finish Scenery

2)                 Install Bridges and finish laying/wiring track by 6/1/11 

 

Keddie Yard West End

1)                  Repaint backdrop.

2)                  Fill in all holes around the tracks.

3)                  Paint tracks.

4)                  Ballast tracks.

5)                  Place correct buildings, and light them if needed.

6)                  Finish up with scenery.

 

Keddie Yard East End

1)         Have been looking at new track plans for better operations.

 

Quincy

1)         Test tracks.                                          Done

2)                  Fill in all holes around the tracks.

3)                  Paint tracks.

4)                  Ballast tracks.

5)                  Place correct buildings, and light them if needed.

6)                  Finish up with scenery.

 

Reno

1)                  Install backdrop.

2)                  Paint backdrop.

3)                  Fill in all holes around the tracks.

4)                  Repaint tracks if needed.

5)                  Ballast tracks.

6)                  Place correct buildings, and light them if needed.

7)                  Finish up with scenery.

 

Other

 

1)                  Vacuum, hand clean, and run magnet car over all sections of track

2)                  Re-install Plexiglas at Sacramento and Mikon

3)                  Paint new fascia green after scenery is completed

 

 

February 2011

Construction and maintenance has resumed on the standard gauge layout.  We are focused on projects to complete in anticipation of the July 2011 NMRA national convention coming to Sacramento.  Some highlights:

  • Completion of lockout switch controls for Marysville branch
    • Work was completed 2/9/11 and then we found a recurring problem with the lockout interface to the Tortoise switch machine.  This had been noted/ignored over the past year or so and seemed to be related to adoption of the JMRI PanelPro software and abandoning our Visual Basic code base; it turned out to be a design flaw in the interface board that is corrected (fortunately) by soldering two jumpers and adding two leads off the print side of the circuit board, utilizing an extra pair of contacts in the 4-pole relay.  Discovery 2/11/11, now 15 existing installations to modify.
  • Switch 253 Del Paso had been a mystery problem under PanelPro control; now resolved (error in the i/o database) and we have full dispatcher control for lockout and normal/reverse controls.
  • Repair Oakland 16th Street (hidden yard) dual control panels.  2 panels allow parallel control either inside the 'pit' for the yard operator or outside the pit for mainline crews.
    • Over time defects have crept into a very unique 2-panel yard control system that utilizes IC logic (NANDs, NORs, JK flip flops, etc)
      • Found broken bus lead affecting 5 switches - repaired, 5 switches returned to operation
      • 'Shotgunned' the IC's and replace all, more problems disappeared
      • Think we found one TIP120 transistor shorted that controls a relay for track power on/off control
  • 12th St Yard and Roundhouse Sacramento being prepped for scenery and ballast
  • JMRI PanelPro development and C-MRI hardware integration continues adding more inputs and outputs to the system
  • Oakland Pier re-build underway - new track plan being installed
  • Building construction/maintenance
    • Investigating what it will take to apply epoxy floor paint
    • Front porch re-build design and pricing underway
  • Keddie wye scene
    • Prepare bases for the bridges' towers
    • Scenery
    • Install towers and structure, lay bridge tracks
  • Signals
    • Need to catch up on repairs to mangled searchlight signals

October 23, 2010

PanelPro software is coming right along as we learn the intricacies.  We are using layout editor at this time to build up the logic for CTC operation.  Points of success:

  • Occupancy Detection now changes track segment (blocks) to red color - with this working we need to push into direction of travel calculation and relate that to approach-lit signals and the ability to put markers on the schematic that trace the movement of a train.
  • Using LOGIX, two control points (switches 253 Del Paso Jct and 263 Keddie) have been set up so that the switch position sensor provides feedback and signal aspects are changed according to the route of the switch motor/points.  The aspects do not change until the motor has moved the points all the way to the stock rail.
  • Lockout by CTC of local switch control, illuminates the amber LED on the trackside panel; during dispatched operations you can remotely lockout and then control turnouts on-screen.
  • Quad video card installed in the computer (thank you Joe) and three 15" LCD flat panel monitors now provide our view of the railroad, allowing us to stretch the drawing/schematic across three screens.

 So much more to do.  Standard practice is to keep the most recent saved file in a common directory location; when changes are made they are saved to a new file name (change the date text in the name) and the prior version file is moved to an archive folder in the directory. 

August 29, 2010

Our C-MRI control system is mostly 'back together' now - a few i/o cards were repaired (a few integrated circuit chips and one transistor replaced); we also changed out some of the combo 25/5 V power supplies in favor of separate units.

We started using the J-MRI project's PanelPro software as an alternative to the Visual Basic code that had been written. 

A few signals are out for repair. 

The Keddie wye scene is now getting ready to grow scenery and bridge work; wiring for signals, switch motor control, and track power has been moved/extended; shortly we will have the signal repeater panel mounted up on the wall behind the scene (out of camera range) for the engine crews to observe.

Quincy has switch machines and wiring for track power has begun.

Layout of the revised Oakland Pier has also started.

August 3, 2010

We have completed track installation at the Quincy scene - now to install switch machines and wiring followed by scenery.

March 30, 2010

We moved our radio UR-91 receiver and UR-92 transceiver panels up to the T-bar ceiling more or less centered over the layout to improve throttle communication in crowds.  Time will tell, but this should help during open houses or just when we have a lot of members rail-fanning or 'working'.

The switches are finally done in terms of wood ties and styrene shimming, so work can commence on Oakland Pier.

February 21, 2010

More than half way through soldering up switches (15 out of a total needed 27).  Saturday 2/27 will be a work day, 9 AM start - need a small crew to work on gluing on wood ties and adding the styrene shim material

February 12, 2010

A respite from construction is ending - at least for those of us involved in building twenty-seven (27!)  #8 and #6 switches for the next push to remodel Oakland Pier and West Oakland.  Work is being done off site so as to not interrupt running.  Ahh, the smell of vaporized rosin flux!

September 30, 2009

A few of us wrapped up the night around 9:30 after completing the re-installation of track and switches on the upper loop (Keddie wye etc).  The mainline is back and we ran under DCC control.  A few items remain to be connected for switch control in the Keddie yard west ladder. 

Time to clean up the sawdust and debris. 

During the next few weeks as we return to running we will turn our attention to the C-MRI software for CTC and signal control.

September 12, 2009

Board of Directors approved a change order to the Keddie Yard, east ladder - two curved #10 left switches will be replacing conventional #6 switches to improve the geometry entering this end of the yard; additionally, a #6 right switch will be added off the mainline to provide a spur at the Keddie station -- all this before the end of the month!

Saturday work day:

  • !2th Street yard, Sacramento - mis-wired ladder switch fixed, soldered temporary wire-wrap connections that have been proven good
  • Marysville branch line - ran new switch power bus to this new area, connected lockout mainline switch; Tortoise machines installed under switches and control panels readied.
  • Scenery work proceeded on the Yolo Causeway.

September 4, 2009

Sacramento 12th Street Yard west-panel re-wire completed; need to 'tune' the new switches installed -- after that is completed we are all wrapped up on the change of the west leads.

Yolo Causeway track replacement will be underway tonight, starting with the west-bound main.

August 22, 2009 - 39 days and counting down...

Yolo causeway  and Keddie wye bridges still 'washed out' but have faith - we will have the mainline patched back together.

We successfully ran the west approach to 12th Street Sacramento yard after spending a few hours connecting track and switch wiring - much improved access through a new crossover to the trim lead track on the west end will be enjoyed by you yard operators!  A few more connections on the west yard control panel and we are done.

Friday night your webmaster ran a shortened consist of the 1941 City of San Francisco (10th contract if you must know) at speed over the new curved switch at West Oakland - the alignment and geometry looks good.  Nary a shake or a shudder as the four cars and E6A-B-B went flying down the rails.  More testing Tuesday with some long wheel base SP steam power will be our final qualification - then it's time to paint the track in anticipation of putting the deck in over this area that will form the base of the Keddie wye scene.

Notice that we are running DCC during these testing periods - finding the occasional "I forgot to cut that gap" and assuring when we return to operation we will not have to shake down any gremlins.

August 17, 2009

We decided to rework the Yolo Causeway structure -- the structure just would not allow leveling of the track, so we switched to aluminum plate about 1/4 inch thick with a laminate of wood on the sides, N scale sheet cork on top.  Work in progress.

Martinez industrial spurs are completed - switch controls mounted on fascia and we have test run through all the switches.

West Oakland curved switch replaced with one built on a switch template, providing more accurate geometry.

Jeff L.'s R Street plan was approved by the Board Friday night, August 15th.  If you are interested in fabricating buildings, now is the time to step forward and offer to help - contact Jeff, he is supervising this project. 

  • Buildings will include some interior (do not want to be able to look in the front windows and see out the back),

  • lighting on all levels, interior and exterior when appropriate (i.e., truck docks, railroad spur docks)

  • Structures will be set up to sit on a foundation that permits removal of the building without disturbing the ground scenery.

June 29, 2009

Next work session that was scheduled for July 11th cancelled - take a break, jump in the pool. 

Standard gauge layout should be taken out of operation effective Tuesday July 7th to resume construction tasks.  (See the white board for the list at the SMRHS)

We have found things like "forgot to put a switch machine back in" and "maybe we should cut a gap here". 

Sunday it was 109 degrees F ... keep an eye out for heat kinks!  Today the cold front moved in and we only saw 102 degrees.

June 19, 2009

Dog days of summer are here!  Standard gauge layout being resuscitated by heroic means.  Through the Fourth Of July weekend you will have a chance to help us test and debug new track and electrical work.  Bring down a train and be patient while we test run and find things to fix. 

January - May 7, 2009

Standard gauge will return to a lengthy construction period.  Kick-off meeting Friday, January 2nd, 2009, 7:30 PM.

2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month reserved for construction day as well as Tuesday and Friday nights.

We intend to work through at least the first half of the year on the following tasks with a return to running no later than the end of September.  Occasional train operation will be made possible in the interim period as construction allows.  If you participate on a work gang you will know when the windows for train running open (hint - step forward and help us). 

  • R Street Sacramento - track is in, switch machines going in (6 left to go), controls are going in; first run happened Tuesday 5/5/09 testing DCC and switch controls.
  • Yolo Causeway trestle repairs Re-doing w/aluminum plates
  • Martinez - track and switches are down, wiring and switch controls still needed 8/16/09
  • Sacramento 12th Street Yard re-alignment - track and switches are in; replacement control panel showing new alignment on the way at which time we can complete the wiring.
  • Sacramento Roundhouse - turntable replaced, garden tracks installed and wired; track power selector panel being built off site; need to re-build roundhouse structure.
  • Sacramento shops - Deferred to next construction period
  • Keddie wye - realignment of west Desert Yard lead on lower level now complete; after test-running on the new track the scenery base for the wye can go in.
  • C-MRI software and electrical, signals - two training classes held; S-MINI module built up and awaiting demonstration panel fabrication so we can continue training sessions that will dive into inputs, outputs, and software coding.
  • Marysville branch line - track and switches are in; switch machines and wiring remaining to be done.

June 2008

Standard gauge down for first two weeks for construction on these tasks:

  • Install Sacramento roundhouse and tracks
  • Move/replace curved switches
  • Feather River canyon scenery continues
  • De-bug some C-MRI and electronic issues
  • Davis station is built-work on scenery details

February 2008

Standard gauge down this month for some short construction projects:

  • Install Davis siding and wye tracks (3/1/08: track, switch machines and wiring are in, final controls connection will be completed by 3/8/08)
  • Move Sacramento turntable in preparation for the prototype roundhouse under construction
  • Install 3-section girder plate bridge on Feather River (mile post 278.81 to be precise)
  • Signal system work - extend detection west from Del Paso on the SP mains  
  • Ballast track from Martinez cross-over's to west yard limits of Sacramento passenger yard 25%
  • Running maintenance - switch machines 

August 12th, 2006

Thanks to a break in the usual summer heat, we have made some progress on the standard gauge line.  The Portola turntable is in and running; the Portola roundhouse exists as a foam-board mockup with CAD drawings in HO scale providing the 'look' pasted to the skin of the foam board.   

Work has resumed on the Sacramento turntable garden tracks filling in the sinking land (just like Central Pacific had to do with Sutter's Lake (see recent article in the Sacramento Bee).   Maybe there will be a brass locomotive that floats to the top in a hundred years or so? 

The C/MRI (computer operated detection and control system for signals and switches) has been purchased and the software development is nearly complete with the installation of hardware I/O (input/output) lines coming in at a slower pace (more physical work than software coding).  

As expected, summer construction slowed way down.  We are rolling up the tarps and cleaning and testing the layout (to be completed at the end of August) with a first-run introduction to operations slated for Friday night, September 22nd. 

March 11th, 2006 update

We are planning on bringing the standard gauge line back to running one month early - at the end of March we will have a massive cleanup and cease saw dust generation.  During April we will work on signals installation on the WP mainline and C-MRI software coding/debugging.  We will also be creating new training modules for the various jobs on the railroad and running interested members through training/qualification.  Our first spot of finished scenery (east Oroville - Table Mountain - James) is now coming together and looks like a "Kodak moment".  

Tentative plans are to run the layout through Open House on the first Saturday in May, then shut down for another ~6 weeks to get one more jolt of construction done before the summer hits.  We'll then back off and operate the railroad for a few months and enjoy the fruits of our labor!

January 3rd, 2006 update

Okay, we took the summer off and ran trains.  So here's the new list of objectives effective immediately on the standard gauge through April 2006.  We are shut down for most of the time, with some test running as needed.  Members should be bringing tools not trains during this period to help out.  We hope to have some DCC clinics to assist members with locomotive installations during this period.

Electrical

o       Electromagnets

o       Repair in Oroville

o       Install in Sacramento Passenger tracks

o       Install in Portola prior to track installation  

o       Install in Haggin Yard 2nd ladder

o       Build control panel for Portola

o       Build 2 control panels for Haggin (replace single ladder panels)

o       Signaling – get ABS mode completed

o       Install CMRI nodes 

o       Install EDA detector modules 

o       Build signals 

o       Build up CMRI code 

 

Track

o       Complete building 8 switches for Portola (6 left, 2 right)

o       Install yard and turntable tracks

o       Install turntable

o       Build 18 switches for Haggin Yard 2nd ladder (13 left, 5 right) 

o       Install 2nd ladder

 

Research

o       Complete Oroville research, make decision on industries to be modeled and locate on spur tracks.  (Pre-requisite to scenery task.)

o       Print out “R” Street track plan 1:1, make decision on track design & industries. 

 

Scenery

o      Table Mountain

o       Oroville 

o       San Pablo bay ( Martinez to Davis )

o       Feather River “Honeymoon Tunnels” 

o       Paint remaining mainline track, ballast

 

Lighting

o       Xenon lights to illuminate lower level:

(Oakland Pier,  
West Oakland  ,  
Martinez  

 

July 16th, 2005 update

Construction resumes concurrent with running on the standard gauge; the plan is to keep Friday nights open for running, using Tuesday nights and Saturday work days to do low-impact construction projects.  Here are some objectives that will take us to the November open house:

  • Portola Yard - finalize the design and get the track in
  • Sacramento Passenger Yard - complete the retrofit of electromagnets
  • "R" Street - finalize the design
  • CTC and track-side signaling gets started
  • Oroville scenery
  • Lower level lighting

June 10, 2005 update

Our 4 month construction window concluded in early June with a number of accomplishments:

o    Haggin Yard track work - first ladder completed

o    Center Peninsula scene block completed

o    Oroville industrial spurs track work completed

o    Bieber setout track completed, temporary spur tracks extended off switches (6/25 work session)

o    Started track-side signals  

§      Existing detector cards were debugged and are being modified (changing out slow switching bridge rectifiers)

o    Lower level lighting – after experimenting with various lamps, we will be using Xenon 'hockey puck' under cabinet low voltage lamps on a dimmer switch.  Probably will implement a smart switch that can be run remotely using the Levitron Decora Home Control (DHC) products.  

11/7/04 Update

The standard gauge mainline is complete; we held our golden spike ceremony Friday, November 5th, 2004.  We now have the basic loop to loop track in and operational which greatly improves our ability to run trains for Open House.

Next phase is to start filling in yards and industrial tracks.  Top of the list will be Haggin Yard, located approximately in the middle of the loop to loop run -- objective is to have this done for the March 2005 Open House.

10/9/04 Update

Busy day, most of us worked 10 AM - 4 PM.  The switches at Keddie are installed and waiting for switch machines.  Track work is installed on the main through east Bieber; additional track east of this point is staged for alignment approval up to the junction with east Portola/Reno Junction.

Homabed road bed is laid in Bieber for the grain silo siding spurs and the passing siding; ready to sheet-Homabed the remaining surface in Bieber.  Electro-magnet uncoupling devices will need to be installed on the passing siding prior to track laying.

Narrow gauge work gang was working on the new work benches under the electronics loft and re-working some fluorescent fixtures over their layout.

8/7/2004 Update

We survived our July open house; got mainline track operating up to Oroville on the standard gauge line.  Push is on to 'close the loop' by November open house -- completing mainline through Portola and Bieber (which magically connect by a reversing loop).  We should also have the Reno branch well along by then.

5/1/2004 Update

Narrow gauge line has plans to expand their empire, including an SP interchange on a new shelf that will extend into our meeting room space.

Standard gauge line has been in sawdust and commotion since the March open house.  The subroadbed was topped out today at West Keddie -- this is the top of the grade for the layout.  The industrial spurs at Oroville are laid in and the Homabed is nearly finished for these tracks.  Bob has started work on three curved switches at East Haggin Yard, East Oroville and West James.

We have been pulling hard to build the mainline up to Oroville in time for our July Open House.

1/17/2004 Update

Narrow gauge line is busy and operating.  Standard gauge has started operating with track warrants.  

Benchwork construction for upper level of standard gauge started.

11/19/2003 Update

The busy weekends are behind us now.  Thanks to advanced coverage of our Open House weekend in the local Sacramento Bee newspaper, we were inundated with visitors on the 15th and 16th of November, most of whom donated to the society helping us move ahead with our goals and objectives.

The narrow gauge line ran both days with nary a problem.  

The standard gauge was able to run trains from Oakland to Sacramento and back.  The turntable controls were heated up Friday the 14th (just it in time) and 8 radial tracks plus the lead to the turntable were operational.  We were able to run point to loop, turning power and observation cars in Sacramento for their return to Oakland.

Three more weeks of construction will resume following open house; for the next three months we will halt track construction and run and operate the standard gauge line to flush out the 'gremlins'.  Next Open House slated for March 2004.  During the hiatus in construction, our members will be able to spend time on DCC decoder installations and getting their locomotives and rolling stock certified for operation on the layout.

8/30/2003 Update

The Southern Pacific passenger station tracks in Sacramento are nearly finished; the 135' Diamondscale turntable is being installed.  A curved cross-over has just been completed by Bob R.--just east of the passenger yard.  With that completed, the mainline now wraps around toward Haggin Yard.  The goal we have in mind is to provide the ability to turn power in Sacramento (thus the turntable work going on right now) -- by the third weekend in November when we will hold our 2-day Open House extravaganza.

7/19/03 Update

The long hot summer is dragging us down but we are pushing forward.  We ran an Open House last Saturday giving us workers a chance to remember why we are working on this -- to run trains, fix trains, buy more trains ... etc.

3/29/03 Update

Our big push to get the standard gauge functioning for our March open house was a success.  Basically we had point to point operations (not running trains in circles); with the double cross over in at Mikon, we were able to run from Oakland Pier to Sacramento.  Power was waiting at Sacramento for the return trip and the caboose was switched to the other end of the train.  We basically ran a couple through freights back and forth.  And the Zephyrette and "Thomas the Tank Engine" provided light passenger service.  DCC made it all possible!  And in the process our members had a great time ... and a lot of OJT (on - job - training) was accomplished on the finer points of running with DCC.

The push is back on for construction of track work.  We have started the grade behind Sacramento passenger yard that will connect to the upper level, headed for Oroville and points East.

Construction of turnouts is actually ahead of the track gang, so we have no shortage of work!

And the guys running the narrow gauge have the fine art of operations running -- and showed their stuff at Open House.  Good show guys.

Next Modeler's Open House will be on a Saturday in July (to be determined).  Probably NOT the 5th.  Stay tuned to our calendar page.

11/19/02 Update

Track gang has made it to Martinez, installed the double cross-overs just East of the station, and are headed to Davis.  Objective is to make it to Sacramento across the I Street bridge and into the depot (SP) by the end of the year.  That should give us enough mainline to start operating -- train orders and timetables, no CTC until later.

Even Thomas the Tank Engine has been infected by DCC ... made his first run at Open House on 11/16/02 under full warp speed and a Z scale decoder-- the di-lithium crystals did not disintegrate contrary to Scotty's whining (weak tribute to Star Trek).

10/19/02 Update

DCC clinic -- more converts swung over to DCC!  10 members participated in our decoder installation clinic ... most were able to finish up and run their engine(s) at the end of the day.  Follow up work will be finished one-on-one with each member.  Some were easy, literally plug and play, others took time to direct wire.  In all cases, no smoke got out of the decoders.

9/28/02 Update

Hand-built turnouts in #6 and #8 geometries are being installed.  Tortoise switch machines are starting to be installed.  It's now into the detailed work that requires patience and perseverance to get it right the first time.

New Board of Directors elected for fiscal year starting 1-October-2002.  

Welcome to new members David R. (junior), Ray B. (returning) and Tim G.

8/31/02 Update

Friday night, 8/30/02, we installed 12 feet of flex track and connected it to the block bus wiring.  Moments later we booted up the DCC command station and put a locomotive with decoder on the track -- NO SMOKE!  Another major milestone has been reached and we are proud to see how far this has come.

8/24/02 Update

The lower level sub-road bed was closed in today.  Homabed installation is moving forward, with the large sheets completed for the Oakland scenes.  On to the beveled road bed as the mainline progresses 'eastward'.

The first two switches are ready to be installed and the first stretches of mainline track spreading out from these two switches.  

The Digitrax DCC command station is installed including the radio receiver and one Universal Patch panel.  We are using PM-42's for short circuit protection and reversing loop control and those are pre-wired and waiting for the first tracks to be set down.  We will reach our goal for having the first block(s) up and running by the end of September!

8/9/02 Update

With the L-girder bench work completed we have been carefully laying out the flat yard/city scene areas as well as the 'cookie cutter'  sub-roadbed sections.  We are using 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood, a cabinet-grade of plywood (more veneer layers than standard construction grade plywood).  It comes in 5' square sheets, picked up in quantity from a local hardwood distributor (about $16/sheet).

See the photos page for a shot from Friday, 8/9/02 of our progress.  We have completed the Oakland sub-roadbed and moved on to the center peninsula (cookie cutter mode) as well as the expanse of flat sheets that will go into creating the Sacramento SP passenger station and Hagin Yard and R Street scenes.  Leveling of the sub-roadbed is a critical first step to creating high-reliability track work, and we are making sure we have this right before moving on to the installation of Homabed.

Our first area of Homabed is now installed, using flat sheets -- laying them down, staggering the joints.  We are using yellow carpenter's glue, spread out with a fine-notched flooring trowel.  In order to keep the Homabed pressed to the sub-roadbed, we use a cable stapler (not the conventional square staples, instead it puts out *U* shaped staples)  with 1/4" dowel pieces to hold the staple above the surface.  After the glue dries, we pull the staples, recover the dowel pieces for the next section, and put a light coat of latex paint over the surface and exposed edges.  Following the completion of the painting, we go back over the surface with a random orbital sander to take out any high spots; finally we will finish it off with a coat of gray paint that will approximate the ballast colors.  At last it will be time for track work!

DCC equipment and under-track electronics are starting to go in in preparation for track.  Our goal to have a section of operating track under DCC control looks achievable by the end of September!  Don't look for long freights ... we have a society-owned Western Pacific RDC (the Zephyrette, of course!) ready to go as our first DCC-powered 'train'.

**Best Practice** Using CAD System for Design

We have definitely seen the advantage of doing the layout design with a CAD (computer aided design) program.  In our case we used Cadrail, by Sandia Software (http://sandiasoftware.com/).  Cadrail was chosen because of the technical capabilities to layout track geometries, do the elevation calculations, etc.   Result--accuracies achieved mean best use of materials stretching out our precious nickels and dimes.  

We have gone so far as to print the large flat-yard areas in 1:1 ratio on a CAD plotter (36" x 48" size sheets).  These sheets are then trimmed and laid out on the sub-roadbed to verify edges of bench work, location of switches, etc.  The cries of "you're off by 1/2"!" are frankly music to our ears!  At least we are not hearing "we need to move this exterior wall out a foot to make the track fit".

6/15/02 Update

Sub-roadbed has started on the Oakland extension; repair/rebuild of cantilevered supports for L-girders around the East and South walls is mostly complete.

6/8/02 Update

Drop ceiling would be done ... if only our local home improvement store would restock on the diffuser panels for the lights!

Today marks the beginning of the layout bench work.  See the Photos page for a shot of our start.  Members who are vicariously watching our progress -- jump in, the fun has begun!  Each Wednesday and Friday your help will get us 'down the track' a lot quicker.

5/26/02 Update

The drop ceiling should be completed by 5/31/02.

We have posted a new Project Schedule and Gantt chart for all members to review.  June 2002 will signify the launching of bench work, sub roadbed, track, switches, electrical -- now comes the time when we can have teams following each other as we lay rail eastward from Oakland!  

Our Digitrax DCC gear has arrived so we will be ready to go live as soon as the first stitch of track is laid!

4/20/02 Update

We have raised, through donations, the funding required to install a drop-ceiling.  Preparations are underway and we hope to have the job done mid-May.

Prep work on the walls is nearing completion and we are ready to prime and paint.

The old 'albatross' heater that stuck out like a sore thumb has been removed.  We plan to replace it with a horizontal furnace mounted in the crawl space above the main room.

Is this model railroading?  Or is it remodeling?

3/23/02 Update

Thanks to all who pitched in today.  Old front doorway is now blocked off; new mail slot installed next to new front door.  Electrical re-routed with provision for (1) entrance light and (2) lit EXIT sign.  Next step, attach furring strips to North wall and sheet-rock.  

2/23/02 Update

One of the critical moments in layout planning is when you transfer design to reality.  Today we worked on marking the outline of the layout.  Starting from one known corner or reference point, blue masking tape was used to mark the floor.  (See photos page for an idea of what it looks like.)

Any errors in the original survey of the room should show up when you transfer the footprint of the design to the floor.  We will now give the members a chance to see how the aisles and bench work fit into the room.  

Another task was accomplished, using a transit level, we marked a common level point around the room.  One marked level was done up on the wall (in the area painted as sky), another was then measured 36" down from that point and a mark put on the bench work framing that attaches to the walls.  We can always go back to these two levels as a reference point to verify elevations, grades, etc.

Our library has been relocated to make room for the front door that will be relocated during the next week.  Moving the door frees up about 18 feet of linear wall space -- soon to be Oakland (lower level) and Reno (upper level).

What's next?  Walls and ceiling need to be cleaned up, repaired and painted.

1/12/02 Update

Changes made to both upper and lower track plans after meeting on 1/11/02.

LOWER LEVEL

  1. West Oakland Industrial now has more industries for operations:
  • General Merchandise & Die (envisioned as building flat against back drop)
  • Scrap metal spurs … open piles with loader for mill gon’s
  • Fuel oil loading … tanks, prototype at Giant, between Richmond and Pinole
  1. Industrial siding ("Crocket"?) is shown as turnout only, no detail.
  2. Industrial siding turnouts on northwest end of center peninsula to be removed.
  3. Reverse cross over at east end of Sacramento passenger yard.
  4. Add cross over between Haggin Yard and Sacramento industrial turnout.
  5. Make Sacramento industrial single entrance; remove turnout on east end; add drill track where turnout was removed.

    UPPER LEVEL

  6. Oroville … remove two spurs across main from passenger station, slide industrial tracks east to fill the space opened. Work on plan to have main enter from west not parallel to fascia edge. In general it appeared the changes to spurs and setout track better for operations.
  7. Branch line turnout off main now oriented as back to back with the Keddie wye. Will bury the turnout in mountain scenery. Split backdrop into a Y to open access from underneath. Signals will have to be fascia board mounted (simple LED arrays). Electrical to rig a fouling point short stretch of track that is only powered when turnout is thrown to branch line.
  8. Reno was not shown correctly, needs to be corrected to most recent modifications.
  9. Bieber was not shown correctly, needs to be corrected to most recent modifications.
  10. No other changes.

12/29/01 Update

The City of Sacramento has issued a building permit for the installation of a new front door; this was one of the last major hurdles we needed to get over.  Moving the front door frees up approximately 17 feet of uninterrupted space on the North wall of the building -- space that will be used for the Oakland (lower level) and Reno (upper level) extensions off the reversing loops.

Buildings from the old layout are being packed away for storage.

A remodel of the electronics room has resulted in a small office space downstairs with all of the electronics moving upstairs.  

The CTC machine has been partially disassembled so that reconfiguration of controls and wiring behind the panel can proceed.

10/6/01 Update

BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Corporation has made a contribution to our society to go towards our roof replacement fund and we would like to publicly acknowledge and thank them!

9/22/01 Update

The CAD drawings are now being filled in with yard and spur track details.  

8/13/01 Update

Back from a road trip to photograph and 'sample' the Portola to Oroville scenery.

We did have a bit of excitement Friday at 1:19 PM after setting up our campsite near Lake Davis...a resounding thud and rolling ground led us to the conclusion we were very close to an earthquake.  

Saturday we spent the day traveling back roads and taking photos.  We should have some great photos of an eastbound UP train we caught while sitting on the bench overlooking the Keddie wye.  What a thrill that was!  

8/7/01 Update

We have started using RailCad for the layout drafting.  

RailCad drawings are now posted (you need Acrobat Reader version 5 installed to view the files).  You can print these out on legal size (8.5" x 14") paper in Landscape mode.  Links to Adobe Acrobat files showing CAD drawings:

5/27/01 Update

Three months down the road and here are the high points:

  • Electronics system board assembly approximately 70% complete.
  • Demonstration module underway that will provide a visual as well as operating microcosm of the project; now will include functioning trackside signals and analog or DCC operation.
  • Hand-built switches underway.  Just to get the mainline and hidden yard in we need approximately 60.  First clinic 5/26/01, next clinic 6/23/01 (open to public, sign up ahead of time, donation requested).  Design includes isolated frog, built up on printed circuit board ties, DCC-friendly.  These babies are smooth as silk when they are done, no wheel sets dropping into a frog.
  • A special run of hats are available for a limited time ... $20 donation and you get a hat as a premium.  Proceeds go toward the construction fund.
  • It was decided to let the schedule slide to start demolition after our November Open House weekends.  (New Gantt chart file has been uploaded.)
Our Library Resource

Our library has a solid collection of model railroading magazines that are available for reference and research. Trying to find the 1941 RMC article on that locomotive? Come down and use our resource. Magazines may not be checked out from the club.

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