Project: Model Trains
 
Learning:
The Journey of a Lifetime
or
A Cloud Chamber of the Mind
Journal Index

The following table is intended to provide a way for me to keep track of progress in Learning about model trains.

Date Added Model Trains (Version 2) Totally Revise Layout to Avoid Duck-Unders
2006.10.08 Description
Start
End
Done
2006.10.08 Redesign Layout      
2006.10.08
Decide to totally revise layout to avoid duck-unders
2006.09.21
2006.09.21
Yes
2006.10.08
Prepare rough sketch of new layout
2006.09.21
2006.09.21
Yes
2006.10.08
Create checklist of criteria for new layout
2006.09.22
2006.09.22
Yes
2006.10.08
Draw diagram of layout using EazyDraw software
2006.09.22
2006.09.22
Yes
2006.10.08
Remove all structures and track from version 1 of layout
2006.09.23
2006.09.26
Yes
2006.10.08
Build and install new tables for version 2 of layout
2006.09.24
2006.09.26
Yes
2006.10.08
Place ground cover on tables
2006.10.02
2006.10.02
Yes
2006.10.08
Read about classification yard track layout
2006.10.02
2006.10.02
Yes
2006.10.08
Place track for classification yard in Coaldale
2006.10.02
2006.10.02
Yes
2006.10.08
Place track for Black Diamond coal mine
2006.10.02
2006.10.02
Yes
2006.10.08
Place track for Queenston switching yard
2006.10.03
2006.10.03
Yes
2006.10.08
Place track for Pine Ridge lumber yard and The Channon
2006.10.03
2006.10.03
Yes
2006.10.21
Revise track layout for Black Diamond to make better use of a receiving track
2006.10.19
2006.10.19
Yes
2006.10.21
Revise track layout for The Channon to add an above ground coal yard
2006.10.20
2006.10.10
Yes
 
 
 
2006.10.08 Learn About DCC      
2006.10.08
Visit Trains & Such in Calgary
2006.06.12
2006.06.12
Yes
2006.10.08
Visit local model train club
2006.07.04
2006.07.04
Yes
2006.10.08
Visit Roundhouse shop in Edmonton
2006.07.21
2006.07.21
Yes
2006.10.08
Join local model train club
     
2006.10.08
Read "DCC Made Easy" by Lionel Strang
2006.06.12
2006.06.13
Yes
2006.10.21
Google the Web for DCC sites
2006.10.20
2006.10.20
Yes
2006.10.21
Visit local train show by the Southern Alberta Model Train Club
2006.10.21
2006.10.21
Yes
2006.12.30
Purchase locomotive that is DCC ready & sound
2006.12.30 2006.12.30
Yes
2007.01.01
Purchase DCC system
     
   
2006.10.08 Outer Mainline
2006.10.08
Clarify overall plan
2006.10.03
2006.10.03
Yes
2006.10.08
Test arrival track switching for trains entering the Coaldale classification yard
2006.10.04
2006.10.04
Yes
2006.10.08
Tack down track for Outer Mainline
2006.10.15
2006.10.15
Yes
2006.10.08
Run a test train (5 cars) on the Outer Mainline
2006.10.19
2006.10.19
Yes
2006.10.08
Wire Outer Mainline for Power Districts
2006.10.15
2006.10.08
Tack down Outer Mainline reversing loop
2006.10.15
2006.10.15
Yes
2006.10.21
Add an Atlas Twin controller & wire for the reversing loop
2006.10.20
2006.10.20
Yes
2006.10.21
Run a test train on the Outer Mainline reversing loop
2006.10.20
2006.10.20
Yes
2006.10.08
Build an Outer Mainline control panel
     
2006.10.08
Wire Outer Mainline turnouts to control panel
     
2006.10.21
Add foam bed to Outer Mainline track
2006.10.30 2006.10.30 Yes
2006.10.21
Run a test train on Outer Mainline track
2006.10.30 2006.10.30 Yes
2006.10.21
Attach foam bed & track to tables for Outer Mainline track
2006.10.30 2006.10.30 Yes
2006.10.21
Run a test train on Outer Mainline track
2006.10.30 2006.10.30 Yes
         
2006.10.08 Outer Mainline Switching Areas      
2006.10.21 Coaldale      
2006.10.08
Tentatively lay down Coaldale yard track (including grain terminal)
2006.10.04
2006.10.04
Yes
2006.10.08
Run a test train on the Coaldale yard track
2006.10.04
2006.10.04
Yes
2006.10.21
Add foam bed to Coaldale yard
2007.01.05
2007.01.05
Yes
2006.10.21
Nail foam bed & track to table
2007.01.05
2007.01.05
Yes
2006.10.21

Add uncoupling magnets to Coaldale yard

2006.10.21
Run prototypical train operations in Coaldale yard
   
2006.10.21 Black Diamond
2006.10.08
Tentatively lay down Black Diamond yard track
2006.10.04
2006.10.04
Yes
2006.10.21
Revise Black Diamond yard layout
2006.10.19
2006.10.19
Yes
2006.10.21
Add foam bed and uncoupling magnets to Black Diamond
2006.10.21
2006.10.21
Yes
2006.10.21
Run a test train on the Black Diamond yard track
2006.10.21
2006.10.21
Yes
2006.10.21
Run prototypical train operations in Black Diamond
2006.10.22
2006.10.26
Yes
2006.10.22
Nail foam bed & track to tables
2006.10.26
2006.10.29
Yes
2006.10.22
Run prototypical train operations in Black Diamond
2006.10.29
2006.10.29
Yes
2006.11.03
Spray paint ground cover and building with black paint (aka coal dust)
2006.11.03
2006.11.03
Yes
         
2006.10.21 Distillery Row
2006.10.08
Tentatively lay down Distillery Row yard track
2006.10.04
2006.10.04
Yes
2006.10.21
Add an end-around capability to Distillery Row track
2006.10.20
2006.10.27
Yes
2006.10.21
Add foam bed and uncoupling magnets to Distillery Row
2006.10.30
2006.10.30
Yes
2006.10.21
Run a test train on the Distillery Row yard track
2006.10.30
2006.10.30
Yes
2006.10.21
Nail foam bed & track to tables
2006.10.30
2006.10.30
Yes
2006.10.21
Run prototypical train operations in Distillery Row
2006.10.30
2006.10.30
Yes
   
2006.10.08 Inner Mainline      
2006.10.08
Clarify overall plan
2006.11.01 2006.11.01 Yes
2006.10.08
Wire Inner Mainline for Power Districts
2006.11.03 2006.11.04 Yes
2006.10.08
Nail down track for Inner Mainline loops
2006.11.05 2006.11.05 Yes
2006.10.08
Run a test train on the Inner Mainline loops
     
2006.10.08
Build an Inner mainline control panel
     
2006.10.08
Wire Inner Mainline turnouts to control panel
     
         
2006.10.08 Inner Mainline Switching Areas
2006.10.21 Queenston
2006.10.08
Tentatively lay down Queenston yard track
2006.10.08
2006.10.08
Yes
2006.10.21
Add foam bed to Queenston
2007.01.04
2007.01.04
Yes
2006.10.21
Nail down track for Queenston
2007.01.04
2007.01.04
Yes
2006.10.21
Add uncoupling magnets to Queenston
2006.10.21
Run a test train on the yard track for Queenston
2006.10.21
Run prototypical train operations in Queenston
2006.10.21 Pine Ridge
2006.10.08
Tentatively lay down Pine Ridge track
2006.10.08
2006.10.08
Yes
2006.10.21
Add foam bed at Pine Ridge
2007.01.04
2007.01.04
Yes
2006.10.21
Nail down track for Pine Ridge
2007.01.04
2007.01.04
Yes
2006.10.21
Add uncoupling magnets at Pine Ridge
2006.10.21
Run a test train on at Pine Ridge
2006.10.21
Run prototypical train operations at Pine Ridge
2006.10.21 The Channon
2006.10.08
Tentatively lay down The Channon yard track
2006.10.08
2006.10.08
Yes
2006.10.19
Add elevated track for a coal yard in The Channon
2006.10.19
2006.10.19
Yes
2006.10.21
Add foam bed at The Channon
2007.01.04
2007.01.04
Yes
2006.10.21
Nail down track for The Channon
2007.01.04
2007.01.04
Yes
2006.10.21
Add uncoupling magnets at The Channon
2006.10.21
Run a test train in The Channon
2006.10.21
Run prototypical train operations in The Channon
   
2006.10.08 Assembly of roadside structures
2006.10.08
Complete Oil Tank kit
2006.07.10
2006.07.26
Yes
2006.10.08
Complete Oil Loading Platform #1 kit
2006.07.15
2006.07.18
Yes
2006.10.08
Create oil refinery diorama
2006.07.26
2006.10.08
Complete Oil Loading Platform #2 kit
2006.10.08

Complete wooden trestle kit

2006.07.30
2006.08.13
Yes
2006.10.08
Complete UGG grain elevator
     
2006.10.08
Complete coaling tower
2006.12.06    
2006.10.24
Purchase hay bales. 'nodding head' oil pump
2006.10.24 2006.10.24
Yes
2006.10.25
Paint hay bales & place on layout
2006.11.02 2006.11.10
Yes
2006.10.25
Assemble 'nodding head' oil pump
     
2006.11.05
Complete grain storage bin
     
2006.11.05
Complete water tower
     
         
2006.10.08 Maintenance of Rolling Stock      
2006.10.08
CN 7847 Alco RS-3 diesel locomotive operational
2006.08.11
2006.08.11
Yes
2006.10.08
CN 665489 40' flat car, CN 501417 40' steel box car, G.A.T.X. 22691 36' tank car, CN 78213 steel caboose all operational
2006.08.11
2006.08.11
Yes
2006.10.08
CN 500899 40' wood boxcar, CN 322660 3-bay hopper, BAOX 635 40' single dome tank car all operational
2006.08.12
2006.08.12
Yes
2006.10.15
CN 522360 40' stock car, CN 473966 box car operational
2006.10.15
2006.10.15
Yes
2006.10.16
Update Filemaker Pro data base for model train maintenance
2006.10.16
2006.10.16
Yes
2006.10.21
Assemble CN 5930, an SD40-2 diesel with the NAFTA logo
2006.10.21    
2006.10.21
Assemble six 100 ton quad hopper cars & cover the Union Pacific logo on the sides
2006.10.21 2006.11.15 Yes
2006.10.22
CN 1706 GP7 diesel locomotive operational
2006.10.22 2006.10.22 Yes
2006.10.22
CN 79793 "Old Timer" wooden caboose, CN 74009 Pte St Charles caboose, CN 123411 41' gondola, CN 461010 wooden box car all operational
2006.10.22 2006.10.22 Yes
2006.10.24
Purchase 200 ton crane with CN logo & place on layout
2006.10.24 2006.10.25 Yes
2006.11.01
Dust off, check couplers, and place on layout all remaining rolling stock; update data base
2006.11.01 2006.11.02 Yes
2006.11.02
Dust off and lubricate all diesel locomotives
2006.11.02    
2006.11.04

Lubricate CN 76, clean wheels - operational

2006.11.04 2006.11.04 Yes
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 1706, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 7847, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 6707, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 6708, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 7985, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 9408, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 2010, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 4346, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 7824, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 6707, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 8502, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 5506, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 9156, clean wheels

     
2006.11.05

Lubricate CN 9162, clean wheels

     
2006.11.02
Dust off and lubricate all steam locomotives
     
2006.12.31 Buy and trim coal loads for 100 ton quad hopper cars 2006.12.31 2007.01.02 Yes