What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[G3750]

Updated 1/28/2015:

OK, for those of you keeping score at home , switches 17, 18, and 20 are working. Drops for all 5 switches have been added to Switch Bus #1. I still need to install the switch machines for switches 19 and 21 on the layout; they are already programmed. I didn't have my reading glasses with me so it was very difficult to see adequately.

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I am very encouraged by the wiring clean-up activity.

• A large number of switch feeder wires are going away.
• Excess bus wire (that I used before seeing the light) is being removed.
• Much better and more frequent wire labeling is taking place.

In short, I am improving my techniques and work. It feels pretty good.

With adequate light, I think I can get the other two switch machines installed tonight. And later in the week I want to tackle the wiring rat's nest on the eastern side of the bridge. The result will be a clean Switch Bus #2 implementation and (hopefully) continued excellent TMCC and push-button operations. There are 9 switches, including two cross-over pairs, assigned to Switch Bus #2. Switch Bus #2 also supplies power to a Pennsy signal bridge and two Pennsy 7 light position signals.

George

[G3750]

Updated 1/28/2015:

Finally!!! All 5 switch machines are working via both push-button and TMCC (CAB-1)! Working under the layout was a royal PITA, but it's done!

George

[rogruth]

How about the PRR signals? I'm sure they will be functional in some way.

I hope these can be seen during 2015.

[G3750]

How about the PRR signals? I'm sure they will be functional in some way.

I hope these can be seen during 2015.

Roger,

The signals have been working for years. Here's the breakdown:

• Two (2) PRR 7 light position signals controlled by turnout positions
• Two (2) PRR 7 light position signals controlled by isolated rail sections (block occupancy signals)
• Two (2) PRR Signal Bridges with 2 signals each - these are controlled by isolated rail sections (block occupancy signals)

The signal bridges used isolated rail sections on the old bridge. When the new bridge is installed, I will isolate those sections again and hook them up to the signal bridges.

George

[rogruth]

Very good.

I'm waiting to see it all together.

[G3750]

Very good.

I'm waiting to see it all together.

Well Roger, the plan is to have the backdrop in place, the bridge installed, and trains running again by April. Obviously, if it happens sooner that would be even better. There is still a ton of work to meet that deadline, though.

I plan to take lots of photos or maybe a video when the time comes.

George

[rogruth]

Waiting to see.

[G3750]

My next focus is on the wiring rat's nest just east of the bridge. This spot was ground zero for all the track feeders to the legs of the now gone double cross-over. With the feeders gone, there should be room to connect a loop for Switch Bus #2 here. That loop will serve all the switches (9) on the eastern side of the layout. A conduit will run from the DZ-2001 on the western distribution panel to this loop. Conceptually, Switch Bus #2 will look like a long rope with a lariat on the end.

All this makes the wiring bundle under the Hidden Passing Siding much smaller and cleaner. The Switch Bus wires that went to the Hidden Yard are gone. The track power feeders that went to the west side of the bridge are also gone. Once Switch Bus #2 is dealt with, I will re-wrap and secure this wiring bundle.

I expect this to be 1-2 evenings' work, barring any surprises discovered. I still have to label the Switch Bus #1 work while it is still fresh in my mind. Might get to that tonight.

George

[rogruth]

Yes,get the wire labeling done soonest.

[G3750]

Updated 1/31/2015:

Here are some photos of the wiring and labeling I've done over the past week.

Photo 1 shows the re-sectioning of Switch Bus #1.
The 3 sets of suitcase connectors carry the TMCC signal (white wire), AC (red), and Common (black) to switches (left to right) 19, 18, and 17. John Long - the white wire at the bottom of the 1x4 is a ground plane (no tinfoil hat required! )

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Photo 2 shows some the origin of Switch Bus #1 at the DZ-2001 on the Western Distribution Panel.
Note the label reading "Switch Bus 15VAC". This is for the pair of wires coming from the transformer (a K-Line PowerChief 120F not in the shot). To the right of the label is a small green printed circuit board attached to the bottom of the Lionel TMCC Command Base. That is the DZ-2001 Data Wire Driver board. The wires from that board go up to the 6 position barrier strip. That's Switch Bus #1 connecting from both directions - it completes a loop.

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George

[Steamfan77]

Nice neat wiring George. Very organized. I look forward to your progress.

Andy

[jlong]

George, nice setup. No TIts Up unit.

[rogruth]

Looks too neat to me.

Think of all the fun and frustration you'll be missing when you need to fix something.

[G3750]

Looks too neat to me.

Think of all the fun and frustration you'll be missing when you need to fix something.

Yeah, just when you thought it was safe to go back under the layout....

I removed a number of track feeder wire pairs as a result of eliminating the double cross-over on the bridge.
While working under the layout, I discovered that the labels I so carefully created and applied 7-8 years ago have lost their adhesive and are falling off. I will have to redo about 40 wire pairs (about 120 labels). I'm not happy about that.

Here are some photos.

This is the Eastern Power Distribution Panel. Power District 2 is light about 5 connections. Yes, those are ex-magic light bulbs (they're normal now after the exorcism ) and used to simply indicate power to specific districts.

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Here's the area in question. You can see the Eastern Distribution Panel to the right. Note all the disconnected wire pairs on the ground in the middle. Off camera to the left is the eastern approach to the PRR bridge. All track feeds for the bridge will come from the Eastern Panel.

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George

[G3750]

Updated 2/5/2015:

I'm making slow progress re-tracing wires and re-labeling them. I've found a product called "Glue Dots" that has peelable double-sided strips of glue that I'm using to re-attach the Avery paper labels to the Waytek plastic ID plates. I'm trying to do this for attached ID plates under the layout. What a PITA! Next layout has to be at least 4' off the floor, so I can get around on a wheeled chair / stool. Adequate lighting under the layout might also be a good investment, but I'm not sure about that. Good chance that will be located in the wrong spots - Murphy's Law.

I'm also updating my spreadsheet of Power Districts and their connections. The double cross-over had a bunch of track feeder pairs. These came from the Eastern Distribution Panel to their own barrier strip just under the eastern end of the bridge. With the reduction in connections, I may be able to remove that barrier strip and possibly another. That will simplify the wiring runs and reduce clutter in that area. The same general spot is where Switch Bus #2 will be attached, so reclaiming that real estate will be a good thing.

I need to get the track feeders for the bridge installed - one for each of the 2 tracks. Those will be on the eastern side of the bridge. There will be 1 insulated control rail on the bridge connected from the eastern side. That will be on the northernmost track (Track 1 as the Pennsy would number them North to South) and provide input to the Westbound signal on the Weirton side of the bridge.

There will be 1 insulated control rail on the bridge connected from the western side. That will be on the southernmost track (Track 2) and provide input to the Eastbound signal on the Steubenville side of the bridge.

We'll see how far we get this weekend.

George