After last night's work session, I've got a bunch of things to finish before the next week's session arrives. Part of the fun/challenge of having people coming to help is that you have to plan out what those people are going to work on. I did OK for yesterday, but need to keep doing that.
May 2nd
I now have five blocks connected to my RR-Cirkits Watchman board, so the next thing to do was to try out the features in JMRI dealing with block detection and signaling. I used some of the pre-supplied images with JMRI to build a CTC-style panel to represent my tiny little layout, so far.
With a little bit of fumbling, I was able to get three virtual signals hooked up. This picture shows the panel when the train was in block 202-eastbound.
The virtual signal at the lower left corner of the picture protects block 202E. In the next photo, I moved the train forward into block 203E and the signals changed accordingly.
In the final picture, the train had pulled forward into block 204 and the signals behind it changed accordingly.
The amazing thing is how relatively easy it was to set these virtual signals up. The one that I couldn't quite get working would be the signal protecting blocks 203W and 203E from 204. This requires the use of what appears to be called a signal mast. The upper signal would control the main track (essentially block 203E) and the lower signal would control the diverging track (block 203W). However, I need to read more of the documentation to understand how that works.
May 7th
I hosted a small work session and the two of us finished up module L7, which is the transition from the 12" section to the main classification yard, which will be 30" wide. The other four sections on the wall are all 8' long, this is the missing puzzle piece, so to speak, so it had to be adjusted to fit the rest of the sections. During the week I also picked up the remaining shelving hardware to do the south wall and enough shelving brackets to mount all the modules. As I said before, ClosetMaid brackets are a bit more expensive than doing it by hand with wood, but they're also simple to install and remove.
May 25th
Because the lower level modules are much wider than the shelves (20" maximum) I am adding extra legs for support. I trimmed the legs to length and cut additional pieces to make leg pockets. Over the past couple of weeks, I've finished the lower level modules and gotten them temporarily installed on the wall.
The first module (L5) will have a mainline towards the back wall and some sort of industry near the front. I'm considering building the tank car rack for a refinery here so that the oil tankers will have a destination.
This module (L6) is mainline and the "east" yard lead.
Compared to the other four modules, module L7 is the funny puzzle piece that connects the two ends of the wall layout. The angle follows the throat of the main yard, plus it helps transition from the 12" section on the wall to the 30" main yard sections.
Module L7 installed on the wall.
Module L8 will hold the main body of the classification yard.
Module L9 will be the end of the yard and the mainlines will curve towards the south wall. In addition, the engine facility will be at this end of the yard.
- Paint more backdrop material for sections L5-L9 and install them
- Complete the benchwork through the sump room to connect the north and east walls
- Build the south wall benchwork towards where the helix will go
- Build the helix
- Start planning out the industrial areas.
