Weekend Update for Sept. 15-18, 2023

[Paul S.]

Please update us what you've done on your model railroad this week/weekend. This weekly thread is intended for us to post snippets about our layout/project progress, rather than be a substitute for our layout-build or project threads. Think of this topic as a mini update on what you've accomplished during the week/weekend.

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So fellow RMRers, what have you been up to this week?

[Russ C]

Over the last two days I seriously delved into using JMRI to program the sound decoder in 3142, my 4-6-0 tender engine. I absolutely love the ease of configuring the decoder (Soundtraxx TSU1100) to suit me and closer sounds to the real thing. And bumping up the reverb gives a great sound.
For those wondering what I used, the normal JMRI free upload to the laptop, connected to a Digitrax DCS52 using the supplied cable. The loco ran on a set of DCC Concepts Rolling Road rollers.
Next is to rework my 2 freight engines, one with a Soundraxx TSU1100 + Keepalive, the other has a QSI Titan. The goal is to have all 3 set the same for double heading.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5oQ92SO1fQM

[Russ C]

I've found it easier than doing the CVs using just the throttle/command station. And now that I know what functions I use the most, it makes sense to have them in the F0 to F9 range. With this JMRI I can do this now.

[Allen]

That's good for you Russ!
Yup Decoder Pro is an awesome tool once you figure it out. Which really isn't that hard.
Another nice feature is the fact that you can export your roster list to keep a back up and if you ever need to reprogram a chip, you sit it on the programming track and flash the chip, a few seconds later, your chip has been restored.

I lost my main roster a few months ago, but had an older roster which wasn't full, but I started working with it and once I got one chip set, I could just copy that file to another similar loco/chip and fine tune just the speed tables without having to mess around with ALL the CV's for every loco.

It's a very nice program...

[Russ C]

Yes, it certainly is Allen. I'm going to do exactly that, the configuration I set up will be a baseline for my other locos, just needing address change and minor changes for speed matching.

[Allen]

Wrapped up the ballast between Ruston and Winnfield tonight.
https://realisticmodelrailroading.ne...6141#post26141

[john_plsn]

I added a couple more thin coats of water(resin) to my creek. I was afraid the mostly black water was becoming a bit out of place so the last layer had a bit more brown in it. The reflective quality I was looking for came out good. I plan to touch up the entire module so there is still quite a bit of work to do. There was damage from a trip to Portland in 2015(?) that needs to be repaired.

[Paul S.]

That came out really well!

[Allen]

Like Paul said, I think it turned just fine. The reflectiveness is nice.
Maybe I'm jumping the gun here and you are already planning for this, but where the resin is creeping up around the edges, I've seen others brush on a narrow bit of thin glue and sprinkle on a very light amount ground foam to help cover up the "creeping". Gives the look of weeds along the shoreline and rocks.
Just a thought...

[john_plsn]

I'm with you Allen. The shore lines will need some attention as it does not look good as is. That also goes for the creep in the current shrubs I have in place. I may create a coved backdrop just to capture a blue sky color in the reflection rather than the rafters of the garage.

[craigtownsend]

Two things happened this week railroad related.

First I started cutting ties for turnouts and setting up track lengths for all the various pieces. I thought I had more spikes on hand but I'll see if I can't make it last for 3 turnouts. When you put 4 spikes on each rail connection it eats up spikes fast. I probably could get away with just 2 but I find the 4 spikes holds better and I don't have gauge issues later.


Second then the CFO let me go to Lowe's unsupervised for a non railroad project... we now have the materials on hand to finish the latest extension.

[craigtownsend]

Oh she knows as she's in charge of the budget...

I keep trying to convince her that because it's a outdoor layout any funds spent on the actual layout ( not the trains, buildings but construction and track) is technically a landscaping project and therefore should be excluded from my train budget. 😂

She knows anytime I go to Lowe's or any other hardware store there's an additional "train tax" added.


She's also into quilting so it balances out in the end.

[Paul S.]

Good news on both fronts, Craig!

Four spikes to a tie -- that's worth the effort visually and for maintenance.

[craigtownsend]

Not 4 spikes per tie, 4 spikes per rail/tie interface.. Most of the ties have 16 spikes total.

[N Scale Brad]

Been keeping busy both inside the train room and outside. Just posted an update on the layout thread.

https://realisticmodelrailroading.ne...6169#post26169

[Alan B]

Piddled around with some ground cover around the new grain elevators. After some fine tuning, I did some more switching, and found a point I missed.