Changes for the Western Pacific staging yard

The west end Western Pacific staging yard had been in limited operation as being just a return loop since March.  I had replaced the wye control function of the non-operating DS64 with my own circuit but still could not use 3 of the 4 tracks.  Recently I built and installed the circuit to control the yard ladder.

With the new controls, the control panel also got some changes.  In the old scheme the track selected LEDs used a common return.  With this new scheme each LED is connected to its own track on both rails so additional connections were needed.  Removing the unused occupied LEDs freed up those connections in the control panel.

As I always run the trains in the same direction in the staging yard, I replaced the toggle switches which had controlled both the yard ladder and wye turnout with push buttons.  Then push buttons were added for independent control of the wye.  Those changes are pointed out in blue in the photo below.

So now this staging yard works the same way as the lower level staging yard but without the automatic function.

Removable coal loads for Micro-Trains hopper cars

Some time ago I added a unit coal train to the operation of my layout.  The SP trains would have been carrying Wyoming coal from Ogden, Utah to San Jose, California.  From there it would have gone out on locals to at least two cement quarries to be used it in their kilns. 

On this layout these trains run through without any interchange. It seemed unrealistic for them to run loaded in both directions so I wanted an easy way to remove these loads so they could be empty in the eastbound direction.  

The loads that come with the Micro-Trains hopper are good looking and fit snugly into the car and cannot be removed without picking up the car.  The loads weigh 10 grams, with the empty car weighing 18 grams so a lot of the weight is in the loads. On the bottom there are three rectangular bulges. 

First I wanted to make sure the empty cars would be not be too light and would run OK on the layout so I ran a train of 9 empty cars with several mechanical reefers on the back around the layout a few times and this seemed to work well.

I removed the center bulge with a coping saw then smoothed out the area with a sanding stick.  I originally thought those bulges might contain some metal weight but apparently it does not and the 10 grams is all plastic.  With one of the bulges removed, the load weighed in a 8 grams.

Using a sanding stick I sanded all of the outside edges until the load fit loose enough so that it fell out when the hopper car was turned upside down.  

Some 5/8 inch wide metal strip was cut into lengths.  The corners were rounded and the edges were filed smooth.

The metal strip was attached to the center area of the bottom of the load with E6000 adhesive and clamped until set.  The 2 grams lost with the removal of the center hump was made up with the addition of the metal strip and the load was back to its original weight of 10 grams.

Now with the help of a magnet, the loads easily be removed when the west bound coal train reaches the west end staging yard. 

The 2023 N Scale convention - Part 4

There was also a T-Trak layout at the 2023 N Scale convention.  Not nearly as big as ones I've heard about being at conventions in the east but was the first one of any size I've seen in person.

Below are some pictures of a few of the T-Trak modules showing what kind of scenery can be done in a small space.  Notice that the camera angle is more looking down.  That is because these modules are set on tables that are about 30 inches high.  These first two are single size which don't allow much length to include any turnouts.

This module appears to be a double sized which allows more length to include turnouts.

It was really great seeing 3 different modular layout standards side by side and to see the public interaction with each type of layout.  Here are some of my own observations.

FreemoN - Uses code 55 track which is what I use on my own home layout.  As the layout tends to be single track with multiple junctions and balloon tracks, not as many trains running so a viewer is likely to look more at the scenery and the scenery on this layout was realistic and very well done.  This layout type is great for serious modelers to run some realistic operations.  Also I believe these types of modules may be more easily integrated into a home layout.

T-Trak - The low height is great for viewing by children or for someone seated or in a wheelchair.  It's also a good way for children to get started in the hobby.  Uses Kato Unitrack which is also great for beginners. Someone could also use these modules as a home layout.  Uses double track as a standard so allows for more continuous operations during public display.  Personally, I don't like the low height but if used in a home layout could be set on shelves at any desired height. 

Ntrak - With 3 tracks and set at a 40 inch height this layout type can provide lots of action and seemed to draw the most attention from the visiting public.  Modules can get a bit harder to handle for older modelers but with some ingenuity this can be overcome.  Not as easy to be used in a home layout, I know this because years ago I tried it.

The 2023 N Scale convention - Part 3

 N Scale layouts at this convention included 3 Ntrak, a really large FreemoN, a T-Track, a Disneyland display, and a static vintage Lone Star layout.   As this was the first time I have ever seen a T-Trak layout of any size and the first really large FreemoN layout, I'm going to feature those here.

FreemoN:  I spent quite some time wandering around this layout late one evening enjoying the realistic scenery.  A few of the modules I recognized as being from the local group in the Bay Area but most of them came from other areas and were new to me.

The scene is from a module set that I recognized as being from the local group in the Bay Area.

I did not see all that many trains running on this layout but that could have been because it was after hours.  

Lots of the modules in this layout had some really well-done desert scenery.

This particular module of Afton Canyon I am sure I've seen in a magazine somewhere.  These are the same BLMA bridges as the one I have on my layout in the Palisade Canyon.

In the next post I'll show part of the T-Trak layout.