Third in series on using Arduino in model railroading. This session will cover controlling multiple servos with multiple pushbuttons with “brute force” SW methods then introduce more sophisticated SW approach. Ways to wire things together will be touched upon.
Not only have I been working on logging locomotives, but I have been adding some rod engines to my fleet. I even added one of those new-fangled diesel things! It seems that all model railroaders have the same problem, too many locomotives. I decided to join the crowd. Again, some of these engines were what I consider “basket case” repair projects. These have always interested me since they can either be used for spare parts or can be resurrected to operating status. I used to be able to obtain these locomotives for a reasonable cost off of Ebay. Over the years that has changed and now parts locomotives command about the same price as their fully functional counterparts.
Photo 7 shows my refurbished PFM 2-6-0 Boston & Maine B-15 locomotive. It was another “basket case” Ebay purchase. Someone tried to re-motor the locomotive but failed in their attempt. The drive assembly was a complete shamble. I installed a newer very small can motor along with a sound decoder and keep alive system. This locomotive has always interested me since it sports a highly detailed front snowplow. I changed out the front cast coupler for a working Kadee coupler on the plow. Doing so was an interesting task.
Photo 7
Photo 8 is my Boston & Albany Custom Brass 4-6-6 tank locomotive. Yet another “basket case”! The cab and boiler needed to be soldered back together (I can’t believe someone used epoxy to glue the two parts of the locomotive back together). It also had some driver issues. There was a short in just one of the drivers. It was located on the center driver and this type of short is a common problem, especially with this locomotive. The paper that is used as an insulator between the hub and wheel rim degrades over time and allows the passage of current. I replaced the paper with new friction tape and the short was eliminated. All the drivers needed quartering. When I purchased this locomotive, it came in pieces and was not put together, so I can understand the quartering issue. The front 4-wheel pony truck was not included, but I found a good substitute on a separate Ebay purchase. This locomotive has been a real challenge. It is still a work in progress since I am still tweaking that front lead truck. The back set of wheels hit parts of the main front frame of the locomotive. I have finally found a solution to the front truck problem but will require a complete disassembly of the locomotive to complete the work. Since I have just gotten the locomotive all put back together, I really do not want to tear it down! It also has a sound decoder and keep alive system installed.
Photo 8
Photos 9 shows my 0-8-0 switcher. This started out as an AHM import of a Rivarossi locomotive. As a plastic model with pizza cutter flanges on its drivers things needed to be changed. I bought this locomotive brand-new many years ago when I first started model railroading. This was from the good old days of code 100 brass track and saw dust scenery! This locomotive had lots of good aspects to it, so I wanted to make it be able to run on my train layout. To get it to that point a lot of work had to be done on this model. A new motor/drive system was constructed and installed. The flanges on the drivers were carefully ground down to follow RP-25 flange size. It had a sound decoder and Keep Alive capacitor system installed along with a sugar cube speaker. A new LED headlight was installed along with a LED flicker firebox light. Finally, a Tenshodo brass “clear vision” tender with booster truck was mated to the locomotive. This heavy locomotive will be used for switching duties in one of my railroad’s yards. I submitted a feature article for publication about the entire process of rebuilding this locomotive and hope to see it in print soon.
Photo 9
Photo 10 is a nod to all you modern diesel fans. This is my Oriental model of an Erie oil electric locomotive. This model was purchased many years ago and it sat in a box. It was in perfect shape. Originally it was to be cut it in half and used for a doodlebug project. I admit I really didn’t want to cut it in half, so that is why it sat in a box! As I was looking though my various locomotives for new projects, I opened this one up. I figured the Dry Gulch & Western needed to step into modern times! So, it now has a diesel. This one only needed paint, window glazing, lighting, addition of a sound decoder, and a Keep Alive system. I was able to use the original motor and driveline. This locomotive went from box to layout in less than a week. I have grown fond of this model since the locomotive was painted and detailed. The roof top vents and piping make it interesting.
Photo 10
There are several other rod locomotive projects that are still patiently waiting their turn for renovation. Currently on the work bench I have three 2-8-0 locomotives that are in the process of being refurbished. On one I have just finished installing the new drive assembly and motor. The boiler and tender have been painted. It is now ready for the installation of the decoder, speaker, and Keep Alive system. The other two are in various stages of driveline design or teardown. Yes, I do all these projects all while working on other projects on the train layout. It really does keep me busy and out of trouble! Next time I’ll begin my updates on the train layout. Quite a few changes have happened, new track has been added or adjusted along with a lot of new scenery.
Second in series on using Arduino in model railroading. The session will cover controlling a single servo with a toggle switch or push buttons, controlling a Tortoise with push buttons then move into controlling multiple servos and Tortoises.
Video of previous session is on an unlisted YouTube posting. Email Ted Becker for the link. rail.bird@att.net
4dpnrOrganizer MountVernon is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Arduino Session, MV Clinic Special Edition Time: Mar 22, 2021 04:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
I have volunteered to be the Librarian (for lack of a better term) of the Fast Tracks tools that belong to the 4th Division. I had occasionally heard that there were jigs available, but getting to use them was another matter.
Anyway, I’m working on changing that. The first thing was to see what inventory we have. Now that I have them… there are fewer than I thought. We have four HO Code 83 jigs and some point form tools. I would like to increase that inventory.
Are there any 4D members that might wish to sell or donate some Fast Tracks tools to the division?
If you are interested you can contact me at: 206-963-7929 (mobile) larrylsloan@gmail.com
I do work a full-time job and usually don’t answer calls from numbers I don’t know-but leave a message and I’ll call back. Or text…
Eastside Virtual Clinic will be held on THURSDAY, March 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM (lobby opens at 6:45 PM ) PDT
Our next Eastside Clinic will be held virtually on ZOOM this Thursday, March 18, starting at 7:00 PM with our virtual lobby opening at 6:45 PM. I would like to extend an invitation to all the 4th Division to virtually attend next Thursday. So be sure and save the date for the March Eastside Clinic this Thursday, March 18 at 6:45 PM! The log in info for the clinic is below.
The Eastside Clinic is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting: Topic: Eastside Virtual Get Together Clinic for March 2021 Time: Mar 18, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Our Clinic this month is titled “How to Shoot and Edit a Model Railroad Video”. Our clinician this month, Burr Stewart, will provide an overview based on his recent work, of editing 4DPNR videos and a series of operations videos on his own layout. He plans to give us a tour of the equipment he uses, planning for the shots, simultaneous shooting, and some of the steps involved in editing and publishing videos to YouTube.
After the Clinic, there will be an opportunity for other folks to show off their latest model work in our “Show and Brag” event.
Mount Vernon Virtual Clinic will be held on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 7:00pm. Meeting opens at 6:30.
The topic this month is Mike O’Brien showing the progress he has made on his new layout in Northern Idaho. Mike has taken a unique approach to developing the backstory for his layout and it is interesting how he has worked that backstory into his layout.
Topic: Mount Vernon Clinic for March 2021 Time: Mar 15, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
A Nominating Committee has been appointed to receive nominations for the upcoming election of the ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT and two DIRECTORS.
The duties of these positions are as follows: The ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT shall perform all duties assigned by the Superintendent and serve in the Superintendent’s absence. DIRECTOR. Serve as the direct representative of the members. Act in the best interest of the members In the management of the Division.
The Board of Directors currently meets 6 times a year generally in the area of Tukwila or Kent. These meetings last usually for about two hours. We have been meeting virtually over the last year and that may continue.
The current holders of these positions will be asked if they wish to continue and if so, their names will be placed on the ballot together with any others who come forward and are qualified. If you know of someone interested and willing to serve, or if you wish to nominate yourself, contact one of the Committee members:
Al Lowe al@allowe.com Bill Messecar santafe-mail@comcast.net Dennis Terpstra dennis@dterpstra.com
Join the 4DPRR for our March 2021 Zoom layout tours on Saturday March 13 at 10:00am. This month will feature Clint Brown and John Wilcox.
Clint Brown’s HO scale Texas and Great Northern Railroad is in a 3 car garage featuring lots of action around fabled Tower 55 in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Clint’s railroad features interchange in a central yard for 4 different railroads. Clint mixes a good description of the prototype with how he has modeled the area. Its something completely different than our northwest experience and Clint is glad to share his southern drawl and description of railroading in Texas (from Lacey Washington!)
The second presentation on Saturday March 13 will feature the On30 modelling work of John Wilcox. His layout in a one car garage is completely sceniced with logging, mining and waterfront scenes typical of the northwest. His diorama work (separate from the railroad) showing railroad structures and typical back woods locations such as stores, repair garages and other buildings add to the presentation.
To join the meeting, follow the Zoom info below:
Topic: 4DPNR Layout Tours for March 2021 Time: Mar 13, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 880 7418 3792 Passcode: 792349 One tap mobile +12532158782,,88074183792# US (Tacoma) +13462487799,,88074183792# US (Houston)
Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 880 7418 3792
The March 2021 SV&W Clinic will be “The Railway that Ran by the Tides” a history of the narrow gauge Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Co. presented by Oysterville resident and railroad enthusiast/modeler Mark Clemmens. The IR&N was a 36” gauge railroad that ran along what is now called the Long Beach Peninsula from the mouth of the Columbia River to the northern terminus at Nahcotta from 1888 to 1930. It was the longest lasting narrow gauge railroad in Washington and one of the most unique lines in the nation at the time. Join us on Zoom for this special presentation.
6:30 meeting open for chit chat
7:00 presentation followed by question/answer period
8:00 (or whenever done with presentation) Show and Tell if you have something
Topic: Whidbey Clinic March 2021
Time: Mar 10, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
