More Helix Progress

Got track and roadbed laid a bit further today. I need to solder in some feeders so they are in place before I start to add additional sections of the curved subroadbed into the helix.

Did remember to take some pictures as I worked.

Good view of the approach track with cork down.


Where we go from the approach track to the helix proper


Crossover completed. I originally wanted a double track to double track set here, but once I figured out what I needed for space for that sort of special track work, I realized less is more.


Fix chunk of flex gluing; once again I am using code 100 in the helix for the utmost in forgiveness. It is also cheaper that Code 83 as well, which is nice when you realize you are going to use up a 25 piece box for a single track up the helix...

Helix Approach Track

Working on getting the helix approach track in place. I'm using 1/4" plywood, laminated together to give me 1/2" thickness total for stability as I work to get the track from against the wall, swung around 180 degrees and connected to the helix.

Here's a picture of a complete piece; cut from a single sheet of plywood with help from Dick M. (Thanks for the help and use of your shop!)



Actually got a bit more that 180 out of that; ended up trimming it back to make it fit. Now I am working on tweaking the supports for this benchwork (need standard 3/8" washers instead of fender washers due to clearance issues). Hopefully I can get that finished up this week and start laying roadbed/track late this next weekend.

Sent out emails for the next Op Session in April; already have 4 signups.

Helix 2

Now that the main level is complete, it was time to start thinking about expanding the railroad up, up and away!

A second helix kit had been purchased from Ashlin designs at the same time as the first; only difference is that this kit is made to go up 15 inches versus 11 inches on the first kit.

Lots of thoughts were thought about how to support this second helix, sitting, as it has to, above the existing helix/reverse loop area.

First attempt as pieces of plywood, screwed into T shapes for stability:


This path has a couple of problems, all directly related to the fact that they were screwed into the lower helix supports, which turned out to be neither plumb, nor level, in any direction. A discussion was made about the possibility of disconnecting from the lower supports and pulling them away to have them free standing, but the reverse loop was a physical limitation, so this plan was scrapped.

The new plan was to use 3' pieces of all thread rod (3/8-16) and metal strapping to provide a support structure, as such:



Close up of all-thread/strap and Helix support area. Wood blocks are used to space the Helix support parallel to the all thread:


Giant 3/8 bit used to get holes into places where standard bits fear to tread: (amazing what you can get at Lowe's)


Jig used to make get the spacing correct for the metal strapping (which featured pre-punched holes on 3/4" centers):


Now, just have to get benchwork for an approach track setup and working and then progress can continue. I'm happy with the all thread solution and it is very flexible when you realize you need to move the helix up another 1/4 inch since cars don't clear the level above them in one place you never checked...

Next Ops should be in April; hopefully the helix is moving well along by then. Also have a project going to get more signals and fast clocks onto the railroad.

5th Operating Session Recap

It was an interesting session with a few ups and downs, but all in all, we did fairly well.

I had 5 folks come and crew the railroad:
Wayland
Charles C
Dick M
Keith P
Doug B

This was the first session without help from the Division Assistant Supervisor/Chief Mech Officer. Doug and Keith P ran Acca Yard, Dick dispatched while Wayland and Charles were the road crews. Your host tried to play hostler and run trains, with limited success.

Ran a fast clock for the dispatcher only which seemed to help according to the Dispatcher, but there need to be visible displays throughout the railroad. The superintendent has that for action.

The computer running the JMRI panels crashed 3 or so times, prompting a PC swap mid session. The panel didn't transfer correctly to the other PC, so lots of icons were wrong, making it very challenging for Dick, but to his credit he stuck with it and made it work. The new monitor
looked good and put an end to having to scroll one way or another to see the entire panel.

Signals were mostly correct, but there is a need for some sort of Yard override so trains just don't show up in the yard, blocking anything southbound from leaving.

Traffic is way unbalanced, but that is probably more my fault than anything else. The outbound cars to the NS interchange have somehow disappeared. They aren't on track 5 as per SOP and they surely aren't on the interchange track, as I got a call from the NS supervisor asking where his inbounds were.. Oops!

Now, a few pictures, graciously provided by Wayland and Charles, as I was so busy that I didn't take a single snap!

Yard crew brief (needed to be a bit more definitive here)


Amtrak P98 (with Engineer and Conductor) overtake merchandise freight between Colonial Heights and South Richmond


Dispatcher hard at work:

4th Operating Session Done

The 4th Operating Session of the Richmond Terminal Railroad is complete.

In attendance we had 4 new operators and 3 "old heads" returning; this was the first session with the yard job as a separate position and I think that part of it worked out well.

Dick M - Dispatcher in training
Keith S - YM
Jerry R - AYM (new operator)
Bob B - Yard Job (new)
Mike K - Road engineer (new)
Mike P - Road engineer
Phil T - Road engineer (new)

The railroad ran fairly well, though we were a bit behind schedule in the beginning since it was probably a bit too informal at the start. I think next session, I'll try to pre-brief everybody better and maybe start using a fast clock to give a reference point on where we are on the schedule.

Follow ups for next session:

Assigning folks to jobs - should I ask for job preference for individual jobs before the session, assign people as they sign up or something else? I'd like to hear what you think about this.

Waybills. This is where I'm not sure what I want to do; I hope my operators will give me some feedback on the current system and I can figure something out.

I will update the dispatcher and yard master's train sheets to put all the information in one place on the sheet; also, I will change around and make sure there is a listing of industries on the railroad for reference. Maybe this is something I can tape to the back of the small clipboards that crews can carry with them?

Signal cheat sheet - same idea; maybe on the back of train instructions or taped to the back of the clipboard?

I'll try to get all the instructions put up to the website here.

Turnout control in Acca: I'm going to investigate changing over some of the bullfrog turnout controls to the blue points; I've got 1 blue point down on the NS interchange track and really like it. As time is going along, the bullfrogs just don't seem to cut it.

Also need to figure out a way to give the yard crew a paperwork area to keep the waybills off the railroad.

Signals - I will work on getting more signals setup and I'll either put a mirror or repeater so everybody can see the signal leaving staging heading north toward Acca.

I have a couple of things to tweak for the dispatcher on the panel.

(And yes, a few pictures will be forthcoming)

Rick

3rd Operating Session in the books

Every time I think I have it figured out, I realize I haven't the foggiest.

At least there wasn't a hurricane.

Big thanks to:
Mike P, Mike G, Wayland, Dick, Doug and Scott for coming to run trains.

Things that worked:
Track (mostly; I've got some Atlas turnouts to fix)
Digitrax
Crew
signals (mostly)

Things that worked, but not the way I wanted:
Operating scheme and waybills (OOPS!)
Scheduling trains
staging the layout (Didn't do enough of this)

Lessons Learned:
This is like sight reading music, but on an instrument you barely know
Waybills need to be truly 4 cycle
Train sizes need to be stated so that locals don't get sent out with 10 cars for 5 spots
All crews/trains need instructions for what they are expected to do (got this halfway)
A better brief before starting is required at this stage of the Ops game
The yard crew needs to start 10 minutes early

So far, I've tweaked the schedule a bunch and updated instructions. I've started changing waybills (only 150 more to go!) and I'll get the layout back to where it needs to be for session number 4.

Now, the pictures:

Yes, that is a caboose in the middle of a bunch of cars on a local. Not exactly how I envisioned this working. (or listed in the instructions..)


Culprit of same:


In his defense, he DID get everything where it needed to go.

Yard crew on the right; with Doug at the left wondering how I talked him into running the internal yard local job.



Last two crew members talking about the now problematic double crossovers that nothing will go through without a reset. Ended up being a point power issue as the Atlas switches have worn to the point of not making good electrical contact. Jumper wires are in order here.



Everybody said they had a good time, so I won't argue. :)

Progress and Pictures...

Couple of pictures before I get to documenting the 3rd Operating session.

Yard tracks evened out:



Track going down in the Department of Defense Depot area:



Chief Mechanical Officer working a new addition to the fleet:



Additional power from GE on its test run: