Ops Session Changes Priorities

Guests of the P&LE for the first time this evening were the Gandy Dancers, a sub-set of the NMRA's Gateway Division that meets weekly at different member's homes. When they arrived, I had engines and rolling stock scattered all over the railroad to clear out Attica Yard; I asked them to take an engine(s) and return all the cars they could to the yard. It was an eye-opening experience. The railroad ran well, but it quickly pointed out the priority - a new rank order I might add - to be followed in the progression of building the railroad. It is amazing what a 30-minute, essentially unorganized operating session can reveal in terms of weaknesses of the system. It was a lesson I shall not forget, nor will I ignore in the future. The photo to the left is that of a kit bash by Ken Heyl and a remarkable likeness of the Station Inn in Cresson, PA, where we stay on our trips to the Horseshoe Curve. The one guy in our group that has seen the real thing recognized it immediately. Good work Ken! Now back to making that NEW priority list of tasks to be tackled.

New Addition to P&LE

Newest addition to the P&LE is this Trackmobile, compliments of neighbor and good friend Joe Voetter, who worked for the company for over 30 years and, as a sideline, developed this model which is now sold commercially. This little guy will have a number of places to be active, including the LKL Steel Works, the Paducah Engine Facility, or other places where one or two cars need to be moved short distances.

One of the RS3's out of the David James engine shop and Steve Morr paint shop is on the point of a CSX unit coal train. Love those unit trains. More work today with Brian Post on wiring, programming, and general tuning of the railroad.

Turnout Switches, Position Lights

Work is starting on installing turnouts, wiring control switches (DPDT), and adding panel position lights (bi-color LEDs). In a VERY temporary installation, top photo shows the control switch and position light on scrap piece of peg board. Eventually, the panel will be painted Plexiglas.

The lower photo shows the back of the panel and the wiring. The extra wire is to allow for flexibilty in positioning the permanent panel. We are using blue and white buss and lead wiring for the turnouts - the track buss and leads are red and black. Ultimately, the accessory wiring will be green and yellow.

The major electronic work is being done by local model railroader Brian Post. Brian can do in an hour what it would take me a day or more to accomplish, and do it infinitely better.