What's happening on your layout?

[Colbert]

Today is Chattanooga day !

 

[John from Indiana]

What's happening on my layout? Something happened and I have a direct short that is throwing my power panel's circuit breaker. It hasn't run correctly since I tore out a lot of track and added some. DCC layout (and I don't have a clue what I'm doing). I have 6 Tony's Circuit Breakers; but my power panel circuit breaker blows first. I don't have any trains on the track so I don't have a clue. I disconected 3 circuit breakers on the right side of my layout and it didn't trip the panel circuit breaker. I've got a funny feeling the problem is under Joanstown (14-feet of hidden track with a faulty turnout that I made into a single switch going to the right)...I hope it isn't that. I've been painting a neglected slider on our porch and it is killing me outside in the sun and humidity. I really not in the mood to trouble shoot it now; but I think I have it narrowed down to the switch

I have disconnected the track wires going into and out of Joanstown. No current going through the tracks under Joanstown. I took my Voltage meter and set it to continuity. I put the leads prior to the disconnected rails and after going in and before and after the rails coming out...sure enough it rang out continuity meaning somewhere I have a short (I think). Still doesn't rule out a wire misconnected in that section of track...I forgot, two tracks going in and two tracks coming out. One of the track showed continuity (the one that I diverted a faulty turnout) while the other didn't. I know DCC as well as how to breath under water (I don't know Diddly). I have taken my shop vac and tried to clean out the track under Joanstown before, I will try it again. Maybe something fell off of something as is lying over the tracks...I kind of doubt it though. I’m kind of at my wits end of this problem. It's a short and I can't reach it without destroying Joanstown. I can't run any trains because it is part of a continuous loop. Probably shouldn’t work on now, worried about Joan’s condition and I’m not really thinking straight…Catch 22: if I don’t do something I will fill sad and if I do something, I’ll probably mess it up

 

[John from Indiana]

Today is Chattanooga day !

Today is also National Tooth Fairy day...I don't have any teeth left anymore so that's a moot point

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Getting things back together for another "just runnin" op session this Saturday, the 24.
I've been tryin to debug the signal system in part of my layout. A few tracks are showing occupied on the Train Controller Silver computer screen but there are no trains on the tracks. I've swapped out the block detection cards, (BDL168) with two other cards on hand but the problems persist in the same sections. Several of them still show occupied even when I disconnect the section feed wire from the card. The DT5 tool card doesn't light up but the screen shows occupied, and the signals respond in accordance with the screen, not the board.
I'll just have to run the op session like that while the other two sections are working properly.

 

[Rico]

Only the seed plant switcher is moving today, union guys on strike.

Meanwhile I’m busy cleaning up one hekuva mess after taking some bad advice on using liquid laundry soap to dilute white glue instead of dish soap. I was told it wouldn’t suds up but unfortunately it turned the glue into a rubbery silicone consistency.

 

[Canalligator]

I just finished rewiring for DCC. Well, except for the two DCC-unfriendly turnouts that were shorting, I’ve removed them. Replacements are on order.

 

[Rico]

Yikes those pole pounders can be deadly weapons!
After tipping one on the top of a post (ouch) I now rent a gas powered one.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Yikes those pole pounders can be deadly weapons!
After tipping one on the top of a post (ouch) I now rent a gas powered one.

"tipping" one? What does that mean?

 

[Rico]

"tipping" one? What does that mean?

Bringing the pounder up a little too high and catching the back edge of the pipe on the top of the tee post.
Then pulling down with all your weight and tipping the weapon towards your skull.
A quick trip to the ER and seven staples later a trip to the rental store was in order!

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Ahhhh, ha, ha, ouch!!!!!

 

[Patrick]

First time I've seen this thread.

Dust Bunnies multiplying on my layout currently.

Hoping to change that when I get done with PT that is now scheduled until January.

 

[santafewillie]

I’ve used these for years and never “Tipping”? One but have had sore hands and arms.

Likewise here. I'm short so I do good to raise it high enough to get it on the post to begin with!!!

 

[Mopac Junkie]

This has kept me busy lately amongst other things. My mods to get this crane installed in my son's Walthers Car Shop. For some reason Walthers doesn't offer parts to do this but they are included in the Walthers Rail shop which is the same dimensions. I plan to add lights and more details to the interior. I cut the roof in half to make it easily accessible.

 

[Mopac Junkie]

This is another area that I've been spending some time on. The fence is Walthers corrugated fencing. It took me two kits to do this area. The overhead pipe rack is an old Tyco signal bridge that I had. I used some model sprues to make the piping. Lots of Walthers products in this area.

 

[Rico]

Great looking industry!
I see you have the Walthers tank loading platforms, I started scratch building some and finally said screw it and just ordered them. They’re at the post office right now so will pick them up Monday when I return from Duck Mountain.
(last camping trip of the year)

 

[Bruette]

Nothing is going on now, but Christmas is coming.

I'm hoping to improve last year's family room Christmas layout.

I can't wait to hear the trains running and the smell of Hot Chocolate smoke.

 

[PMW]

Nothing is going on now, but Christmas is coming.

I'm hoping to improve last year's family room Christmas layout.

I can't wait to hear the trains running and the smell of Hot Chocolate smoke.

Ah yes, I remember Christmas is Bruette’s time of year Looking forward to seeing what you do!

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

I managed to get a few things done over the past week or so. With the exception of some light weathering I intend to do on the corrugated metal roof, I finally completed the machine shop on the Old Colorado City section of my layout, and I also spliced in another turnout on the OCC end to provide an alternate exit/entrance for the turntable. I've also been painting in a very large number of trees on the mural on the Cripple Creek end. I'd post some photos, but I've yet to take some new ones.

 

[Mopac Junkie]

I'm still plugging along teaching myself how to ballast and scenic. For a first timer I'm pleased thus far.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

those look like some pretty tight turns on the yard there Mopac.