What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[G3750]

Updated 3/10/2013:

• Got a lot of my work area cleaned up. Have two work surfaces ready to go for projects.
• Completed my DC accessory buss drawing. I am using 2-conductor disconnects (with 12" black & red leads) to attach the buss drop to the accessory (house or structure). Inside the accessory will be the terminal strip that distributes power to all the house's lights.
• Organized a second storage box for electrical components. Found 2 DC fans driven by 12 volts that I can use to cool down components or power supplies if need be.
• Cleaned up a number of work spots on the layout.
• Sent requests off for photos of the Mill Administration Building and the Quality Control Lab structure.
• Installed the 2 MTH floodlight towers in the proper (hopefully final) positions.

Got a few things done, not a ton, but some forward progress was achieved.

George

[G3750]

3/14/2013:

More baby steps. Got the Accessory Motor Controller that I purchased at a previous York (sucks ) mounted on the Western power distribution panel. The lighting under the layout was very bad, preventing me from connecting the wiring. I'll get that done tonight. Looking forward to the weekend with the hope of finishing the Standard Slag wall pilings. That will have to be done with the module in place on the layout.

Like I said, baby steps.

George

[rogruth]

George,I got a cheap clamp on light with a big reflector that I use under my layout.
Might have come from WalMart.

[G3750]

George,I got a cheap clamp on light with a big reflector that I use under my layout.
Might have come from WalMart.

Yeah, I was in a hurry and trying to manuever under the layout with too many boxes in the way. I actually couldn't reach the light cord to plug it in. It was one of those "it should only take 5 minutes" jobs that you jump into and then can't finish before being interrupted for some domestic crisis.

I've got my father's old Navy goose-neck desk lamp and a string of rope-light under the layout - just couldn't get to it.

George

[rogruth]

I understand.

[G3750]

Updated 3/16/2013:

OK, we're moving a little here. Today, I managed to:

• Attend the National Historical Railroad Society show in Steelton, PA and pickup a 1953 PRR East-West train schedule. This will be useful both on my model railroad and at the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center (WAMCC).
• At the same show I picked up a Color-Rite Waterfall kit for $3. I will have a mountain, so this will work.
• Got the Accessory Motor Control powered up and connected on the distribution panel. I haven't programmed it yet and will not do so until the actual device is ready for use (a long way off).
• Put the Standard Slag module (access hatch) back onto the layout and started working on the steel pilings for it. I think it makes more sense to have everything in place before I cut and glue all the steel pilings into their final spots.

Nothing earth shattering, but it does feel good to make some progress.

George

[rogruth]

Any amount of progress always feels good.

Today I put a sign on a building.That's all but it's done now.It felt good.

[G3750]

Any amount of progress always feels good.

Today I put a sign on a building.That's all but it's done now.It felt good.

Good job.

Right now I am blocked for want of the correct wrench. I'm trying to cut the steel pilings that will go onto the Standard Slag module. Unfortunately, my Microlux table saw has a blade guard (that ends up limiting the length of cut it can make. There is a nut and bolt under the table that hold the guard in place. I want to remove it, but can't locate a small, open-ended wrench that will fit. So the whole project is held up for this! Went to Sears last night for a mini-set of open ended wrenches, but they didn't work. Micro Mark doesn't seem to have anything - I will have to call technical support for the saw on Monday to get a resolution.

George

[Neil]

Posted on wrong thread in error. Ooops .

[rogruth]

I kind of like the Scout set too. I'm looking forward to adding one or more of these sets to my collection
and looking forward to using he new remote on my command setups at Christmas. Command control on the
cheap, and cute to boot .

Neil,

Did you hit a wrong button?

[G3750]

I'm not that big a fan of the Scout set, myself.

"But that's not important right now."

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Anyway, I called MicroMark's tech support and got the wrench size. I also sprayed some Liquid Wrench on the bolt. I've been trying to loosen it without success. I will try getting the wrench tonight. This is really crazy! This stupid nut and bolt is holding up all kinds of progress!

George

[Neil]

Have no idea how my post wound up on this thread. My apologies .

[G3750]

No biggie. I had a good chuckle.

[G3750]

Updated 3/20/2013:

After what seemed like an incredible ordeal involving LiquidWrench, multiple English and metric wrenches, one trip to Sears, one trip to Harbor Freight Tools, a call to MicroMark, and patience (in very short supply around here ), I managed to get that stupid, #$% @^&* blade guard off my table saw. I think the final effort took an hour.

Tonight (no Penguins game on TV) I will try cutting the steel pilings and fitting a few into place on the Standard Slag module.

I never expected this to be such a fight to the finish!

More info as soon as I know it.

George

[G3750]

Updated 3/24/2013:

We did make some progress today. First shot is of Standard Slag. I have placed (but not glued) a foundation steel piling and then put 3 pilings on top of it. The foundation is new and raises the top of the pilings up to the correct height. The piling to the right will go (deliberately) behind the ones in the foreground. The point is to convey a bulging embankment wall.

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The second photo is of the wall that will go to the left in Photo 1 (currently bare pink foam). All the pilings sections are glued to a piece of cardboard which will then be positioned on the foam and glued. Again, I put a small "foundation" piece at the bottom of the wall. At the top, it will protrude above ground level and I can fill in the bank behind it.

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I am in the process of bending some of the pilings by placing them in hot water. I prop up the ends and then put a bucket of paint in the center to make them curve.

This last photo is of the inside of the Open Hearth Mill. I took it to help plan for the placement of the animation circuitry. As you can see, the two stacks go up through the roof. The area to the left under the platform (holding the stacks) is the probable location of the animation circuit board and the smoke unit. The speaker will probably go on the platform.

That's it for now.

George

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George