What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[Roy]

George, The way I understand it is if you go the 3D printer route, don't forget you need a 3D CAD model (drawing) or prototype members that would be scanned. Scanning photographs are a possibility I guess but you would need a zillion. You probably know this but just in case T

If the beams and connecting plates are similar, why would you need a zillion, John?

[G3750]

My problem would be imagining that I could build a bridge like that.

Roger, I've no shortage of guts. Ability...

[G3750]

Updated 12/5/2013:

The weather did cooperate last night. I think we got to 57 degrees, although it was misty / raining. I managed to get the bridge floor painted, although I did not get to the track support members. I will have to paint them another time. The paint was applied with a small roller. At first blush this morning, it looks OK. Lighting in the garage was poor. I will inspect the bridge floor more carefully this evening.

Also spray-painted a number of Crow River highway overpass components with a camo color (surprisingly decent simulation of concrete). Most of these were touch-ups. Didn't get to all of them and some will need touched up again (hard to see in the bad lighting). I plan to do those tonight at a friend's spray booth.

I also didn't get to the construction crane components. I will try to get to those tonight in my friend's spray booth.

The opening in the weather immediately slammed shut. Temperatures falling today into the low 40's with rain. Rain / snow mix expected overnight.

More when it happens.

George

[rogruth]

I heard snow and ice coming for your area.GOOD LUCK.

[G3750]

Updated 12/7/2013:

Back on Thursday, I did get some painting done on the (hopefully, maybe) temporary bridge floor (shown below). Needs a few touch-ups as I was working in a poorly lit garage. This is a 7' maple plywood board. I didn't get the track supports down, but it's an indoor paint & primer mix that should be safe to use indoors (I'll check that prior to attempting it).

Bridge_Floor_001_.JPG (93.67 KiB) Viewed 4540 times

On Friday, I used a friend's paint booth to spray paint a number of Crow River overpass components.

George

[G3750]

Updated 12/9/2013:

Today it felt like having your nose pressed up against the candy store window (look but don't touch). Lots of stuff to work on, but domestic and parental duties interfered. To wit:

• My five new DZ-2500C switch machines arrived. They need programming, but there was no time available to get the Command Base, DZ-2001 Data Wire Driver, and 15 VAC power supply set up. I need to get these programmed, tested, and verified before I go through the grief of putting them back on the layout.

What I did get done was:

• Cleaned up (removed flash and sanded) some additional Crow River overpass components. They are ready for painting later this week at my friend's paint booth.
• Researched and designed the "penthouse" structures on the roof of the Strip Steel mill building. From the photographs I took in the fall, I was able to determine the correct proportions of the structures. Now I have a good idea how to construct the roof properly.

Inching forward.

George

[rogruth]

Waiting-------
But I understand.

[G3750]

My problem would be imagining that I could build a bridge like that.

Well Roger, apparently the bridge vendors (I talked with 3) all seem to be afraid of building such a bridge. Or don't think they can do it for a reasonable price.

I think it is within their capabilities EXCEPT for my desire to have the girder lacework face the proper direction. All of these guys use some sort of laser cutting machine or CNC machine to do a bridge side in one pass. My requirement seriously disrupts this approach.

So, I'm going to give some deep thought to the 3-D printer approach. Maybe I'll farm out some girders to Shapeways and see how they do.

This truly sucks.

George

[J. S. Bach]

My problem would be imagining that I could build a bridge like that.

Well Roger, apparently the bridge vendors (I talked with 3) all seem to be afraid of building such a bridge. Or don't think they can do it for a reasonable price.

I think it is within their capabilities EXCEPT for my desire to have the girder lacework face the proper direction. All of these guys use some sort of laser cutting machine or CNC machine to do a bridge side in one pass. My requirement seriously disrupts this approach.

So, I'm going to give some deep thought to the 3-D printer approach. Maybe I'll farm out some girders to Shapeways and see how they do.

This truly sucks.

George

I have a through girder bridge that was done in layers using what I think is thin Masonite and I suspect that it was done by one of those that you contacted. I know that it is layered because they are peeling off. There is nothing wrong with their workmanship; this was a quick "lets make a sample for tomorrow's show" piece that I was able to buy. A little glue and it will be fine.

[jlong]

I built a truss bridge 30 years ago that was 24" long. I cut the lacework from strathmore bristol board and glued them to bass wood. Everything was shot with black hot rod primer when completed and it looked good. It was tedious yes. But after making two or three members, I picked up a systematic approach and things went quickly. To do it again? For a 6 ft bridge. Egad. It would take 3 months at the age I am now with the very little free time I have now.

[G3750]

Updated 12/14/2013:

Yesterday I got my DZ-2001 Data Wire Driver in the mail (I now have a spare). This afternoon, I hooked it up to my spare Command Base and programmed the 5 DZ-2500C switch machines (Nos. 17-21). All took the programming perfectly. I set up my test environment (K-Line PowerChief 120F power supply at 15VAC, Command Base, and terminal strip) and did the programming all in about 1.5 hours.

Sw_Machine_Pgm_001_.JPG (81.95 KiB) Viewed 4431 times

Here's switch machine No. 19 after successful programming.

Next step is to get them back in place on the Hidden Staging Yard.

George

[rogruth]

Maybe we can see some more of your layout soon.???

[G3750]

Maybe we can see some more of your layout soon.???

Roger, I'm trying. The week has been an exercise in frustration and futility as missing pieces, bad weather, and unexpected tasks popped up on me. I'm hoping to get some more painting done and then focus on construction of the overpass.

I appreciate the good thoughts.

George

[rogruth]

George,

I'm ready and would guess that others are ready to see your work when you are ready to show it.
Maybe next year?

[G3750]

Updated 12/17/2013:

From the "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back" department:

I started re-installing the new replacement DZ-2500C switch machines on the layout last night and encountered some bizarre behavior.

http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/biza ... tmcc-issue

I'm not really sure what's going on, but I've got e-mails out to the manufacturer and some gurus. If I don't hear back from anyone, I'm going to install the next switch machine in the string (no. 19) and see if the problem "jumps" to it. This is very strange, but there has to be a logical reason for it.

George