Peter April 17th, 2008
Finally I have the conservatory to myself again…the modules are back up and I have started work on painting & weathering the track. I have started with the yard tracks as they are firstly wooden sleeper tracks, and secondly will be mostly hidden by the concrete apron of the yard itself. I have airbrushed these tracks with Pollyscale Roof Brown, and will be painting the rails using the brilliant Rusty Rails Painter from Joe’s Model Trains – I’ll be using the ‘Brown Rust’ paint for this.
The main tracks are going to be more of a challenge as they have concrete sleepers. I am trying to work out the best paint to use to simulate concrete sleepered track…suggestions have been made to use various shades of grey…I’ll be experimenting with a spare piece of track to see what I can come up with…
One thing I do need is prototype reference photos of concrete track – I’ve found lots of photos of wood sleepers, but not many of concrete sleepers…if you have some photos in your collection please pass them my way! Ta!
In the first (and only!) photo of this update you can see I have started to install the Hayes Wheel Stops on the yard tracks. I am just test fitting them at the moment, so they aren’t glued down yet. I am using the Tomar Industries white metal Hayes Wheel Stops.
Hopefully I will get started on the concrete tracks soon – in the meantime I might get started on the styrene base for the intermodal yard apron.
Another update coming soon!
Peter March 6th, 2008
I’ve done a bit more work on the layout this evening. I have been working on Intermodal module A – I’ve finished off the wiring, including wiring the turnout frogs, and have installed one Tortoise motor…unfortunately I have run out of those now, so another trip to the local model shop is imminent – I need 3 more Tortoises for module A.
I also managed to put together the first building for Rochelle Intermodal, an engine shed for the intermodal yard GP38 switchers…
Obviously I still need to fill all the gaps, then paint and weather it, but it is a start! 
One thing I realised I have to do is to straighten the switcher track – I had originally curved it very slightly, but with the engine shed there a curved track is obviously going to cause problems…
Tomorrow I will sort that track out and install the Digitrax SE8C under the module. Apart from that there is nothing more to do on this module until I get hold of the Tortoise motors, so those will only be installed next week. Once I have done that I can put both modules back up and fully test the wiring and Tortoise motors.
I am contemplating installing local LED’s recessed in the side panel to show the status of the turnouts, along with a basic track diagram for the particular location. Another option is to also add a switch so the Tortoises can be switched from the side panel as well as from the throttle. But still need to think a bit about that one…
Right, that is enough for tonight!
Be sure to look at the Photos page for the latest construction photos. More updates to come soon!
Peter March 5th, 2008
Finally I have had the chance to upload some photos of the progress on Rochelle Intermodal! Click on the Photos link to view the latest photos.
Intermodal module B is now completely wired and is ready for scenery. Last night I finished off the soldering and installed the Tortoise motor (there is only one turnout on this module) . All the PowerPole connectors for power feeds between modules are wired up, along with the PowerPole connectors that carry the block detection wiring between intermodal module A and B (the block detector board, Digitrax BDL168, is on module A).
Tonight I will attempt to complete module A – at least I will get the wiring finished, but hopefully will be able to finish installing the turnout motors as well. I had to move the bus location slightly at the end of module B in order to install the Tortoise motor there, but that might not be possible on module A. I have a remote mounting kit for the Tortoise motor which I might have to use. At present I am not sure whether I will install motors on the yard tracks or find a method to switch them manually.
So, one board done and another almost done…the end modules (kindly donated by Jim Bainbridge – thanks Jim!!) need slight wiring alterations for the installation of block detection, but already have the PowerPole connectors in place for the power feeds.
I have successfully tested two signals on the main modules (intermodal modules A & B), and these work correctly, running off a JMRI PanelPro panel through the Digitrax BDL168 block detector and the Digitrax SE8C signal controller. Now all I need to do is finish installing the signals! I have been considering purchasing a few cantilever signal gantrys for the main tracks, as that will make signal installation a lot simpler, and will require less signals, as my main tracks are both bi-directional.
However, no rush for that as those can be installed at a later stage.
Right, back to work now…must earn some money to pay for all this!!
Peter January 4th, 2008
I’ve been testing the signalling on Rochelle Intermodal. At present I am just using one signal, but at least I can test to see if the system works as expected. I have uploaded two videos showing the test – have a look on the Video page to see one video showing a loco entering the block with the signal changing to red, and leaving the block with the signal changing to back green. The second video shows the Panel Pro screen, showing the signal changing as the block is occupied.
More updates to come soon…just need to buy more LED’s in order to replace the existing bulbs on my NJ International signals – a 3mm tri-colour LED fits quite nicely into this signal, although a bit of work is needed to hide the wires…tricky, but it works!
