R&IT Projects - Walsh's suggestions

[Mike Walsh]

First & Foremost: Clean up the layout.
There are a lot of barren patches of ballast on the layout. A lot of the ballast seems "toned down" after years of exposure to our basement conditions. Perhaps it'd be worth it to clean up the layout with a new layer of ballast (soak the old ballast, vacuum up, etc).
In addition to the above, our ground turf has a heavy layer of dust, which might look cool, but our layout looks very B+W when you look at a dusty layout. Vacuuming the layout scenery would be a very good idea. If we lose turf to the great big dust-sucker of doom, oh well, we go back and re-patch, or even give the whole layout a brightening layer of turf.

Second & secondmost: FIX the R&IT Power
The R&IT power has slowly but surely made its way into the R&IT repair shops, or the RIP tracks, and it has been there for quite some time. Our Alco C424's have not returned from the paint shop (awaiting draft gear, along with other things?). Our SW1500s have not seen action as of late (not that i know of). We have an MP15DC on lease from Middleton Leasing, currently sporting R&IT colors. The GP9s have not been seen in years. Let's fix our R&IT power, and kick our leased power (CSX, NYSW, BNSF, ATSF, UP, LA&L, etc) out of the railroad! It won't take much, but time and some funds to bring these locos back. Let's be thankful they don't require scale costs of alco 251 primemovers, etc...

#3 -- Brewery
As others said, raise the back building. Blend it into the existing brewery. Bring everything together as a whole.

#4 -- Subway
The Subway has not been worked on in YEARS. While I understand that Scudderville was a big focal point of the R&IT, it is more or less done, with some projects currently undergoing construction (bridge). Let's go ahead and start working on the subway. It wouldn't take much to bring it back into presentable condition. We can also re-install the signals that go here.

#4 -- DCC
Digitrax DCC controllers continue to be broken through continuous use of club members, also in part due to incidents (accidentally dropped throttles, etc). Let's get them FIXED now, before we need them again! We were spread pretty thin at the train show in terms of throttles.

that's all i can think of for now... I propose we tackle these projects after the winter break. Let's enjoy the two weeks (plus break) before we do anything in the club room.

[Eric Kruppenbacher]

As for the engines most of the power is working fine. We ran them during the show.
Only the switchers tend to act up. They weren't run during the show but they were run last quarter at some point. John consisted all 3 of them and did a coal drag with a good amount of success.

[Otto Vondrak]

Walsh- all are good suggestions. Allow me to comment?

First & Foremost: Clean up the layout.

I'm on board there. I can see about 10 years worth of dust settled on the trees in front of the yard. I agree with Walsh, let's vaccum up the dust. If we lose some turf and scenery, then that stuff wasn't glued down well enough to start and needs to come up anyway. But before we go sucking everything up, let's make a plan to work on a small area at a time. It took five years (yes, five years) to produce enough trees to cover that area in the first place. Part of that was that no one likes to make trees, it can be a tedious process. But it f we have a few "Assembly Line" nights, we can produce enough trees to replace what we take up. Also, some of our modeling methods have improved since 1999, so I'm open to new ideas and techniques.

Regarding the ballast, I'm not sure I want to soak and remove it... I know there are areas that need to be restored, but I'd rather not disturb stuff that's already stuck. If there are some specific areas, let's see if we can assess that together.

Second & secondmost: FIX the R&IT Power

Been suggesting this for years. We have a master roster and there are suggestions for motive power that R&IT should have, such as four GP40's or GP38's, two GP9's or GP7's, and three switchers (currently they are SW8's or 9's, painted by Joe Werner back in 2002, I think). I suggested replacing the SW's with the new MP model. Mr. Middleton did an excellent job with his privately owned 7422 (Which we used to switch Goodman Street and Red Onion, thanks for letting us use it)! I don't mind the "visiting foreign power" on the layout, as everyone will want to use their favorite engines from time to time (lol, all the time)... but I wouldn't mind seeing more R&IT home road power. The Alcos are fun, too. Maybe we need to simply start over with the bad order units and try again.

#3 -- Brewery
As others said, raise the back building. Blend it into the existing brewery. Bring everything together as a whole.

Whoops, I didn't know we had to raise the back building. Or are we talking about the "American Hardware" kit? That's not part of the brewery, that's a separate structure. That project was just started, and Mr. Fox is working on that at the moment. The idea is to blend the 3-D structures into our 2-D backdrop. "American Hardware" (lol, we need to name this industry) will help provide that transition. The brewery is largely complete, we need to determine if we need any other structures on the warehouse side, and I heard some suggestions of adding piping, walkways, and other details. I'm all for it. If someone wants to help complete the Brewery project, let me know.

#4 -- Subway
The Subway has not been worked on in YEARS.

Part of that is my fault, I've been stalling as that Subway station was a pet project of mine, and I wanted to photograph it for an article before it was permanently placed on the layout. I'd like to have time to complete this project, which involves installing a phantom abandoned second track, installting the staircase and platform, and re-installing the block signals. What would it take to re-install the block signals? I think we wanted to move them ever so slightly closer towards the brewery so they wouldn't be right on top of the subway platform. Your thoughts?

#4 -- DCC
Digitrax DCC controllers continue to be broken through continuous use of club members, also in part due to incidents...

It's inevitable, accidental damage. I agree, let's invest and repair/replace the throttles. And folks, if you happen to break something by accident, just let someone know. We hate surprises, and we wont be mad if you tell us. We'll be mad if we find out you didn't tell us!

I'll add one, #5
the new Scudderville bridge
Rob Middleton has done an excellent job with the new kitbashed Scudderville bridge. Rob, what do you need to complete that project? I think it looks great, and it will be a great addition to the layout. Also, once we get that installed, we can re=install the signal bridge that protects CP 367. You thoughts?

I propose we tackle these projects after the winter break. Let's enjoy the two weeks (plus break) before we do anything in the club room.

I agree. All it takes is someone with an interest. Put your idea in writing and submit it to the eboard so they know what's going on. Let us know the scope of the work, what materials you need to purchase, if you'll be affecting electrical operation or track integrity. If someone needs help preparing a proposal, let me know. Also, if you want to tackle any of the Scenery stuff, just please keep me in the loop-- that way, we keep from duplicating efforts and someone else may already be working on the same thing you are.

These are all good ideas, thanks Mike for putting them in writing. We don't need to do everything at once, but there's plenty of work here for everyone, anyone who has an interest...

-otto-
alumni guy

[Matt Martin]

One suggestion I would have in addition to the locomotive maint. program would be to do a track and wheel cleaning project on club cars. I've cleaned a few wheels on some of the freight cars due to the dirt they pick up on the layout. Just a suggestion.

-Matt

[Robert Middleton]

I'll add one, #5
the new Scudderville bridge
Rob Middleton has done an excellent job with the new kitbashed Scudderville bridge. Rob, what do you need to complete that project? I think it looks great, and it will be a great addition to the layout.

It needs cross members at the very top(the zig zag thingys). http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 1&nseq=155 The kit has a few left over, but they're of a different size, as the styrene that they were molded in also has parts for other kits. It would probably work to use them; if they're in the back they would be less noticeable. After that it's just a matter of getting styrene I-beams to put across the deck, a flat piece to go on top of those, and concrete barriers(like what's on the overpass behind CP369)

[Otto Vondrak]

Hey Rob, great photo! The zig-zag thingys (trusses) may be available as Plastruct shapes.

http://www.plastruct.com/



Do a search in their catalog for "truss" and you'll see a variety of sizes come up. You may find something close to use. If they're facing away from the viewer, no one will notice a slight discrepancy. Despatch Junction carries many Plastruct shapes, as I think some other local hobby shops do. Check it out!

-otto-

[Otto Vondrak]

One suggestion I would have in addition to the locomotive maint. program would be to do a track and wheel cleaning project on club cars. I've cleaned a few wheels on some of the freight cars due to the dirt they pick up on the layout. Just a suggestion.

Not a bad suggestion. We've been converting most of our club-owned fleet to metal wheels, and we encourage our members to convert to metal wheels, which helps cut down on the dirt. We also try to run the variety of track cleaning cars we have often, but a little extra attention never hurt.

-otto-

[Mike Fox]

WEll the American hardware building is finally coming together. The basic sturcutre is done which means Ill be moving on to finishing up the painting of the building. After that it will be detailed, weathered, and I might do some minor blending of it with some other 2D building faces.

As for the brewery I can work on that after Im done with the Hardware building. Me and Dave were talking about how to finish things up a few weeks back.

I would also like to mention a simple project that would take a day or two most. The profile board behind Scutterville needs to be extended to the city area. The outline is already penciled onto the wall, just need the hardboard to finish it.

[Otto Vondrak]

I would also like to mention a simple project that would take a day or two most. The profile board behind Scudderville needs to be extended to the city area. The outline is already penciled onto the wall, just need the hardboard finish it.

If we requisition a piece of Masonite panel, we can use the rest to make a fascia/profile board for the mountainside at Geneva Junction. Knock off two projects with one piece of panel!

[Robert Middleton]

Do a search in their catalog for "truss" and you'll see a variety of sizes come up. You may find something close to use. If they're facing away from the viewer, no one will notice a slight discrepancy. Despatch Junction carries many Plastruct shapes, as I think some other local hobby shops do. Check it out!

-otto-

H = 3/16"
T = 1/16"(thin end) 2/16"(thick end)
W = 3/8"

This is the closest that I could find. It's a slightly different style, but it should work. Any thoughts?

EDIT: Rather close as well.

[Otto Vondrak]

Rob, I think "rather close" will work just fine for our needs! Remember, no one will be scrutinizing this model with a fine magnifying glass. If you can find a suitable Plastruct truss, I'd say go for it!

-otto-

[Robert Middleton]

Turns out, we didn't actually need new struts at all. We just needed a little bit of styrene in order to attach the struts to, so Dave and I went out last night to Dan's Crafts & Things to get some, as well as some sheet styrene for the roadbed. The only other thing we need are some sort of jersey barrier to put on the outside of the bridge. I should be able to get the bridge done by the end of next week.

[Otto Vondrak]

You can get the modern concrete railings (jersey barriers) from Rix Products as a separate item.

http://www.rixproducts.com/6280113.htm

or Walthers: 628-114

-otto-

[Eric Kruppenbacher]

[quote="Otto Vondrak"]You can get the modern concrete railings (jersey barriers) from Rix Products as a separate item.

http://www.rixproducts.com/6280113.htm

or Walthers: 628-114

-otto-[/quote]

would we be able to get it through Luther?

[Otto Vondrak]

Mr. Middleton is working on the bridge... Mr. Fox is working on "American Hardware" and will next turn his attention to the brewery... anyone have any ideas on the locomotive fleet? I can produce deals if we decide to purchase new home road equipment. We should also determine what to do with our Bad Order fleet. The Alco Centuries in the back room that have not been touched in years? Let's figure out a plan of action.

-otto-