Daley Train Log
Page 7
I think I will focus on my model train layout this morning. Barring unexpected problems I should be able to clean the entire mainline track, including the reversing loop section. Then I will run CN 6700 over the mainline. Assuming that works I will form a 4 car consist and try running that over the mainline.
Now to make a fresh cuppa and head down to the layout.
9:10 am
This is taking much longer than I anticipated. But it is enjoyable time. While cleaning the mainline track near Wild Rose I noticed that the windmill in the nearby country house needed repairing. Done. Also the lady hanging out the wash needed new shoes so she would stand erect. Done. But more important, the shed for the grain terminal at Wild Rose was off center. It turned out that the real problem was that the spout on the side of the terminal beside the mainline was too close to the track and this involved having to move both the grain terminal and the siding tracks about 1/4" further away from the mainline track. Done. But this took about 45 minutes. The mainline track has now been cleaned past Wild Rose.
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attaching spout to elevator |
repaired windmill and woman |
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Wild Rose |
Wild Rose |
Now to continuing cleaning the mainline track to Black Diamond.
11:20 am
I finished cleaning the mainline track around Black Diamond. I then tried running the diesel locomotive CN 6700 but it was shorting out on one of the switches. This took a few trials before I tried removing a couple of nails that were holding down the track. This was the problem. I do not fully understand why this causes a short, but had noticed this once before. Perhaps the nail head is just a bit to high and the locomotive makes contact with it?
I then successfully ran CN 6700 to Black Diamond, thru the reversing loop, and back to Coaldale. I followed this with a run of CN 6700 & CN 6708 to Black Diamond , thru the reversing loop in the opposite direction, and back to Coaldale. I am now ready for my first train.
Finally I set up a consist of 4 cars: 6708 - a B-unit diesel locomotive (not powered) plus the original 3 cars I put together when I first began this hobby, 501417 - a 40' boxcar, 210048 - a 40' refrigerator car, and 78213 - a caboose. This train left Coaldale at 11:10 am, giving a loud blast on the horn as it left the yard. It arrived back in Coaldale 18 hours later (aka 11:18 am) without mishap. This was the first actual run of a train under DCC on my layout.
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CN 6700 & 6708 on trial run |
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My first train under DCC entering reversing loop |
My first train returning to Coaldale yard |
This has been a very successful morning! I still have lots of work to do, but I have been able to verify that the overall layout appears to be operational under DCC.
The next task will be to clean the mainline track that goes through Queenston, Prairie Dog, The Channon & Pine Ridge. Then to test it: first using CN 6700, then 6700 & 6708, and finally with the same 3-car consist that I used this morning.