Update to the A.P.R.R. - Richmond Hill Engine Terminal

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad! 

As many of you know, the NMRA/NER Convention Open House Layout Tour is less than 30 days way and one of the areas that I wanted to be finished was the lower level engine terminal. While the tracks were in place, the diesel house tracks were not live, and there was an issue with the two of the turntable tracks. 

In order to get this completed, I needed a control panel for this area. One that would control the turntable storage track (6 of them) and the engine house tracks (5 of those). 

This project was started on Thursday night. First step was to create the panel. It would have mini toggle switches and light indicators. 

While this was ready to go, the next step was to go back into the train room and start the soldering process of both tracks and wires. 

Wires were soldered in and heat sinks were attached to the tracks as I went along. I had engines on all 5 tracks, so the extra precaution was taken.

Once soldered in, the next step was to get the mini toggle switches and light indicators soldered and wired in. 

With the soldering iron at the ready, and the mini toggle switches being held with a 'third hand device', I proceeded to solder 22AWG solid wire to them, both black and red. 

Here's what they look like prior to going back into the panel. The black wire, while in the photo shows on the right, when looking at it from the panel side, it's on the left. All of my outside rail tracks have black wires on them, inside has red.  

The same process was applied to the indicator lights, which I bought off EBay. They are rated at 24V AC/DC, so it doesn't matter which one goes where, even though I use the black to the black terminals, red to red terminals.  Below are terminal strips and all wires are attached with #6 spade connectors. A total of 66 solder connections as well as 66 spade connectors were used over 2 days. I think I don't want to look at any more wires for a while. 

The last part of terminal, and probably the most important part, is the turntable. This model, is the first model that Walthers made in ready to use, and I have a 90' turntable on the layout. Later models were made to use both DC or DCC. This model was made for DC and later on they made a new controller so that earlier models could upgrade. The cost to do that was another $200! Not for me! 

In the DCC world, they make auto reversers, and the one I use is made by DCC Specialties, a PSX-AR. I have 11 of them on the railroad and they all work flawlessly. However, using it with the turntable, was going to be the ultimate test. Below is the unit mounted adjacent to the turntable control panel. I am using 18AWG stranded from the track buss to the input as well as from the output to the turntable. 

Once wired in, the layout was powered up and tested. Switcher engine #110 was called to duty. A short wheel base, and we tested it on all 11 tracks, including the 4 where the auto reverser flips the track power instantly, avoiding a short circuit on the layout. 

We are good to go! This was a major project that I spent the entire weekend doing. Now keep in mind that sitting under the layout, with my legs crossed, takes a toll on you. I had to get up after each set of installs as my foot was going numb or as they say, falling asleep. This was a labor of love and I'm looking forward to having my friend NJ John, my electronics guru, be the first to test it. 

Onward to the next project for the open house!

New Addition to the Layout

Greetings fellow model railroaders and followers of my blog!

As many of you know, I've been asked to participate in the NMRA/NER Convention Open House Layout Tour.

One of the guys in our train group offered to make and create some buildings for the railroad, if I wanted. I showed him the corner where Ideal Auto Parts is located. There's approximately an 18" open area that I was going to try and tackle. 

The space is to the left of this small flat..

I needed some type of building to be part of the area as I was thinking of loading docks for trucks since Ideal Auto Parts not only ships by rail, but on trucks for local customers. 

That being said, my friend George took it to task and he built this flat to enhance the area by Ideal Auto Parts. 

Here is what he created...

I added some trucks to the area, and now looks complete. All I need to do is to add the Ideal Logos which I hope to do within the next 30 days... 

I'm going to ask George to see if he can make one section to the left of the rail building to go right to the wall simulating one big building, hiding the bracket as well.

This came out great and I'm very happy with this entire area.

Thanks for checking it out!

P.C.C.M. 49F: Train WR-3 Arrives at Rock Ridge and R.M.O. Electric

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad and Penn Central Car Movements! 

We left off with train WR-3 leaving Weehawken and heading over to Rock Ridge Yard with the cut of cars from train UKP-1. The origination of UKP-1 started at Hudson Coal on John's N.Y.C.T.L.  Next stop was at West Mill on Ralph's K.P.D Railroad. 

With WR-3 on the road, the journey continues to Rock Ridge. First signal is at West Harold where 1/87th John B. has the train held. We find that 1/87th Ralph is at the helm with his conductor 1/87th ATJOE in the caboose.

An approach signal is displayed and they head to Little Jamaica Interlocking. This is an important interlocaking as trains that head into Rock Ridge Yard, depending on traffic are routed into the yard via the east or west classification yard, and, whether the approach is via the south lead or north lead. 

Looks like a local in the background, quite possibly why they have a stop signal at Little Jamaica. 

And now we had thru Little Jamaica Inerlocking...

WR-3 has cleared the approach past CP South and heads up the West ladder. Here the crew will cut the cars off, pull the engine and wait for assignment...

Looks like AP RS-1 #200 is called into action. 1/87th Senior Engineer Ed gets the quick call to move this load rather quickly. 

The first cut is made and the AP Geeps do a quick run around to the back of the train, pull the caboose and take classification track #11 until clear. Once the coal train moves out, they'll put the caboose on classification track #1, then take the spot on the engine track where the RS-1 is at present. 

A new person at CP Rock? Who is this? A quick call to Rock Ridge Operations and 1/87th Senior Conductor Sir Larry who informs 1/87th Senior Engineer Ed that he has a summer intern with him. He tells him that 1/87th Sir Neal has informed him that his nephew, 1/87th Danny, is here to learn. What better person to train him than 1/87th Senior Engineer Ed? It is a no brainer! 

Meanwhile, over at R.M.O. Electric, the local crew is preparing to receive the coal loads. They pull the empties back onto the Rock Ridge Lead, awaiting for the cars to be brought over. This GE 44 Tonner is the workhorse of R.M.O. Electric and uses a crew on lease from the A.P.R.R. 

Looks like the coal train, now designated at RR-2, the Rock Ridge Turn, shoves the 6 coal cars over to R.M.O. 

The crew starts to spot the coal cars, two at a time so that the power plant takes no more than two on its unloading track. 

The with coal placed on all three tracks, the switcher goes back to track 3 and awaits for the plant operator to have them move the cars within the plant. 

1/87th Senior Engineer Ed, along with intern 1/87th Danny in the cab to learn, they pull the empties back to Rock Ridge Yard where they will lay up until ready to head back to Hudson Coal. 

AP#200 heads back to the engine track on the east side of the yard.

AP GP38-2 engines #302 & #303 go back out to the tracks to pick up the empties, add it to the PC caboose and had back on to track #11 awaiting assignment. 

Mission accomplished, the day is over! 

P.C.C.M. #49 is IN THE BOOKS!

Thanks for reading all three blogs! Until next time....!

P.C.C.M. 49E: Train UKP-1 Arriving at Rock Ridge via Weehawken

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad and the Penn Central Car Movements!

The summer has taken it's toll on the coal reserves due to the excessive heat, and a call was made to Hudson Coal, located on John's New York Central Train Layout for a delivery. Timing was right as they said a delivery was being readied for KP Steel on Ralph's  Kings Port Division. 

The coal reserves at R.M.O. Electric were to the point of one carload left as you can see, so arrangements had to be made.

A call was made by 1/87th Sir Neal to 1/87th Sir John explaining the situation. It went something like this....

1/87^th Sir Neal: Are we on a private line?

1/87^th Sir John: If course!

1/87th Sir Neal: Good. I need coal for these jamoc’s over at R.M.O. Electric. They woke up today realizing they need coal for the plant, customers and of course, to pay their last invoice.

1/87th Sir John: Yeah, I get it. We have the same thing here with some of the tenants in Empire City. Good thing I got the boys at local station to make sure they all comply.

1/87th Sir Neal: Great. Send me 6 car loads of your best black diamonds. Next time my boys see your boys in Weehawken, they’ll give you a check and a little something for them to enjoy on the ride back.

1/87th Sir John: You got it my friend. Hey, how’s that new choke and puke restaurant coming along?

1/87th Sir Neal: The papers will be signed in the next 30 days as we made them an offer they shouldn’t refuse. Once I take possession, rename it, I’ll have you down for some good food, booze and after dinner entertainment, if you know what I mean.

1/87th Sir John: Sounds like a plan. I’ll let the Mrs. know I have an important meeting about our contracts we have and will be up on the next plane. You will send that corporate jet again, will you?

1/87th Sir Neal: Now, what do you think? My planes are better than first class on commercial jets!

1/87th Sir John: Excellent! Talk soon!

1/87th Sir Neal: Goodbye my friend!

1/87th Sir John: Likewise, goodbye to you!

The train has left West Mill and is seen arriving on Track 1 in Weehawken Yard.

A crew change was needed, as the PC engines needed to go back to Selkirk for another run. The APRR had a crew at the ready.

An engine and crew change was made, and now AP GP38-2 #302 & #303 have AP Train WR-3 (Weehawken to Rock Ridge) en route to Rock Ridge Yard with a final destination of R.M.O. Electric.

Stay tuned as we await the arrival of train WR-3 to Rock Ridge Yard!