What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[G3750]

Updated 5/6/2015:

Finally managed to get some work done on the layout:

• Moved the original cross-members in the river bottom benchwork module.
• Installed extra cross-members in the river bottom.
• Procured regulated 12VDC and 5VDC power supplies to replace the unregulated power supplies liberated from old computers.
• Ordered 100' of Yellow/Black 16 gauge 2-conductor zip cord for use with the 12VDC power supply.
• Ordered 100' of Red/Black 16 gauge 2-conductor zip cord for use with the 5VDC power supply.
• Wrapped and suspended the wire bundle that goes behind the central backdrop (under the Hidden Passing Siding).

George

[G3750]

Updated 5/8/2015:

Here are some photos to accompany the previous update.

First, the river bottom module and its new cross-members.

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Next, the regulated power supplies. 5VDC on the left; 12VDC on the right. Note that you can buy these new for very little coin. They are much safer than using unregulated computer power supplies.

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Wrapped and suspended the wiring bundle under the Hidden Passing Siding. This looks a lot better to me now.

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OK, now we need to make sure that the river bed module is actually level and properly positioned / attached to its legs (see Photo 1 for reference). In order to have the backdrop and bridge piers fit correctly, we will need to have the module level left to right and front to back. That's the logical next step.

George

[rogruth]

George,

Nice to see the photos.

[G3750]

George,

Nice to see the photos.

Yes, nice to actually get around to doing some work, too.

I am really surprised at the amount of remedial work I have had to do to get the layout ready for this bridge. It's taking forever. And every time I make a little progress, I discover something else that needs attention.

George

[webenda]

Next, the regulated power supplies. 5VDC on the left; 12VDC on the right. Note that you can buy these new for very little coin. They are much safer than using unregulated computer power supplies.

George, I am curious, what are you using 5 volts for on the layout?

Thank you for the tip George. I saw these at work in all the newer process equipment. They were not cheap when purchased from the manufacture of the equipment ($50-$100.)



Yikes! An electronic project box costs more than the whole power supply. These are inexpensive on eBay.

I can see using one of these to power all LED lighting on a layout. Most people run their LEDs at 0.020 amps (I run mine at 0.010A.) This little power supply could handle 150 LEDs.

For those not familiar with these power supplies, the voltage adjustment range is typically 4.75 to 5.25 volts.

Reference: http://cyjww.com/b/tag/spd-15-5

[G3750]

Next, the regulated power supplies. 5VDC on the left; 12VDC on the right. Note that you can buy these new for very little coin. They are much safer than using unregulated computer power supplies.

George, I am curious, what are you using 5 volts for on the layout?

Wayne, well that is an interesting question. I thought I had a use for it, but right now, it escapes me.

I also have a 3V power supply that is running a traffic light and my lighted telephone poles.

I just finished computing the load on the various supplies. I think I am OK.
For the 12 VDC supply, load is 48.68 watts.
For the 3 VDC supply, load is just 2.16 watts.

George

[G3750]

Updated 5/21/2015:

• The 100' of 16 gauge Red/Black zipcord and the 100' of 16 Yellow/Black zipcord both arrived.
  
• Wayne's question about the use of the 5VDC power supply got me thinking. I was originally planning to use the Yellow/Black zipcord for that buss. But since I have no accessories for it, I'm going to use that wire on the 12VDC buss. That will help me identify accessories more easily.
  
• I recently got a new job, which is very rewarding. Unfortunately, it's played havoc with my efforts on the train layout. So the work necessary to mount the backdrop remains undone. And my backdrop artist is currently under the weather.

That's all the news today.

George

[G3750]

Updated 7/1/2015:

Work continues to eat into my hobby time. I haven't gotten much done, as I am too tired after 10-12 hour days to focus on the layout.

• Found and ordered some 16 gauge Brown/Red zipcord for use on the 3 VDC bus. Should arrive tomorrow.
• Did do some clean-up of the train room in preparation for getting back to wiring the river bottom module. The 12 VDC bus will pass under module floor and power the lights on the bridge piers.
• Exploring ways to install the backdrop (yet to be painted by my artist friend who is having back problems).

George

[G3750]

Updated 7/4/2015:

• Decided that there floor of the module will be the surface of the Ohio River. Originally, I was thinking about creating a 3" high level of "water" and sticking fish, weeds, junk, Nazi U-boats in it. Fortunately, the fever passed and practicality reared its ugly head. I don't really think I could have pulled it off and have it turn out presentably.
  
• I did manage to get some very minor work done - installed terminal strips and a length of 12 VDC accessory bus between the pier locations. The leads for the slow flashing red LEDs are a bit short so I will have to attach pig-tails to them before connecting to the terminal strips. Here's a shot of the bus wiring for the piers.
  
  

  

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• I am giving some thought to the end piers (bridge abutments). These are under consideration.
  

  

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George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally, I was thinking about creating a 3" high level of "water" and sticking fish, weeds, junk, Nazi U-boats in it. Fortunately, the fever passed and practicality reared its ugly head. I don't really think I could have pulled it off and have it turn out presentably.

You passed on an opportunity to have an O scale Nessie or at least a scale plesiosaurus in ot's natural habitat - Ohio River!!

[rogruth]

Remember that the great John Allen of G&D fame had a brontosaurus shifting cars in a rail yard.

Could be all sorts of "stuff" in the Ohio River around Wierton and Steubenville.

[G3750]

Originally, I was thinking about creating a 3" high level of "water" and sticking fish, weeds, junk, Nazi U-boats in it. Fortunately, the fever passed and practicality reared its ugly head. I don't really think I could have pulled it off and have it turn out presentably.

You passed on an opportunity to have an O scale Nessie or at least a scale plesiosaurus in ot's natural habitat - Ohio River!!

I can still have its head sticking out of the water.

But yeah, I came to my senses.

George

[G3750]

Remember that the great John Allen of G&D fame had a brontosaurus shifting cars in a rail yard.

Could be all sorts of "stuff" in the Ohio River around Wierton and Steubenville.

Actually, Roger, do you remember a certain local sportsman called "something or other Jack"? I think he had a TV or radio show in the early-mid 1960's, perhaps on the Steubenville TV station. He was supposed to have caught a 5' long catfish around the piers of the Ft. Steuben Bridge.

Here's a photo of the area. My obsession, the PRR Panhandle bridge is to the left. The Ft. Steuben Bridge (automobile traffic) is to the right. It's eventual replacement, the Veterans Memorial Bridge, is under construction in the middle. This is taken from above the West Virginia side of the river.

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George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

But yeah, I came to my senses.

No fun doing that!

[rogruth]

George,

The catfish story is probably true.
In the mid 1940s a catfish of @ 6' long was taken from the Ohio near
the B&O bridge and displayed packed in ice in front of the city building.
My grandfather and I went to see this fish. He told me that every once
in a while a large catfish would be caught in the Ohio River.
I was impressed. I was probably about 10 years old.
Oh yes.This was at Bellaire, Ohio.