Isolation worked ... kinda!

I'm happy to report that isolation, as described in the previous post, worked in partially determining the power problem and preserving (after a fashion) my sanity. Simply, a different engine runs just fine on each of the throttles; the "problem" unit does not run on either. Thus, the problem - still to be determined - lies with the one unit, but now I can take it to one of a couple of Digitrax "experts" I know and get it fixed. I have called Home Depot and put the chain saw order "on hold".

Operation Lifesaver Trip

Several of us went on a UP-sponsored Operation Lifesaver trip between Pacific, MO and Washington, MO today, a trip of just under two hours. The push/pull operation had a Heritage Unit, painted for the Missouri Pacific, on one end. Weather was rainy, photography certainly not optimum, but a fun trip.

Tomorrow, it's back to the model railroad, and installation of the final 6-7 feet of track and three turnouts on the upper level main line. The saga of getting the Digitrax to work properly continues; tomorrow is "isolation" day, i.e., changing the throttle and keeping the same engine, changing the engine and keeping the same throttle, and changing both. If none of that works, there may be a chain saw in my future (just kidding ... I think).

P & LE Makes Acquisition

The Paducah & Lake Erie has made an acquisition from the defunct Buckeye Western Railroad, purchasing two engines, a GP 40 and a GP 40-2 (both Atlas), and four pieces of rolling stock, a 50' box car, a high-side gon, and two MOW cars. The engines are slotted for yard work, and the rolling stock will be integrated into the P&LE operations. Now, on to track laying.

Time Out for a trip

I've been away from the railroad the past couple of weeks on our annual trip to the Horseshoe Curve area and the Cresson PA B&B with friends Ken Heyl (Ashland, OH), Stan Swope (New Philadelphia, OH), Allen Silverberg (Lexington, KY), Jim Martin (Selkirk, NY), and Dick Perry (Corning, NY). My photos from the trip can be found at http://billlinson.rrpicturearchives.net/archivethumbs.aspx?id=56356. My trip started in my hometown of Attica, IN, and this photo shows a westbound NS mixed freight knocking down the signal at the east edge of Attica on what was the old Detroit-to-St. Louis Wabash line. Track laying work on the P&LE renews tomorrow (Friday).