Ann Arbor RR Mt. Pleasant Branch

[dgaken]

Gotta agreewith everyone else, you're off to a great start. Very well thought out. Look forward to seeing more photos.

Do the MTH crossing signals come with sensors that are installed under the track? Approximately what was the cost?

Hi Gary,

I hope that with the holiday recess coming the free time will allow me to oblige your request for additional photos!

The MTH crossing signals do come with photo sensors that trigger the gates. They claim to be "plug and play," and are very easy to install (had I used a more traditional benchwork method they truly would have been plug and play).

The apparatus consists of two control units that mount beneath the crossing signals- one master that has power inputs (both DC and AC), the speaker input, sensor inputs, and an output to the slave unit. The sensor inputs are linked to a pair of photo sensors (one to indicate that the train is approaching the grade crossing, the other installed on the opposite side that detects when the train as completely passed through the crossing). The photo sensors mount beneath the track (I did cut away a single tie to allow for them to be flush with the tops of the ties, but I suspect if you are skilled enough when applying ballast that you could allow them to remain below the ties).

Four pair of sensors are provided, as are signs to allow you to denote the proper number of tracks at the crossing (a very nice touch). The only complaint I have with the system is the length of cord attached to the photo sensors is too short (they only allow for the sensor to be placed about 2 feet in each direction from the grade crossing). A train approaching at track speed would reach the crossing before the gates have completely lowered. Given that my layout will feature industrial switching moves, it shouldn't be a concern for me from an operational standpoint though.

The MSRP for the set is $179.99, although they can be found online (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.modeltrainsyard.com">http://www.modeltrainsyard.com</a><!-- m -->) for $149.00. I was able to purchase them for significantly less on eBay. I found the cost to be very reasonable, given what I would have paid for a pair of tortoise switch machines, a set of crossing gates, and the speaker with housing (let alone the time it would have taken me to wire them).

[dgaken]

Any tips on where I might be able to obtain some Highball HO and N scale limestone ballast?

My local hobby shop only carries the Woodland Scenics varieties (which I grew to hate while ballasting my 4' x 8' - if a product can inspire that much ire from a 15 ft. mainline, I don't want to know what kind of mood I would be in after trying to get it to stay in place for an entire layout)!

Most of the sites with which I am familiar have been sold out.

[Gary S]

Thanks for the info on the crossing signals. Operational gates is something I definitely want on my layout - thought about how to do it in the past, but not lately. Your use of the MTH signals sparked my interest. I've looked at JL Innovative crossing gates, and was looking into building my own operating system using Tortoises and some photo-resistors with transistors to control relays for the logic. The MTH stuff gives me another option.

On another note, you had mentioned that you wished you would have made some of the shelving wider. Is it too late to splice some dimensional lumber on?

[dgaken]

Thanks for the info on the crossing signals. Operational gates is something I definitely want on my layout - thought about how to do it in the past, but not lately. Your use of the MTH signals sparked my interest. I've looked at JL Innovative crossing gates, and was looking into building my own operating system using Tortoises and some photo-resistors with transistors to control relays for the logic. The MTH stuff gives me another option.

On another note, you had mentioned that you wished you would have made some of the shelving wider. Is it too late to splice some dimensional lumber on?

For me, with my limited experience with complicated wiring or precisions crafting, the MTH signals were the right choice. I do have another grade crossing to tackle, but I might just protect that with lights and forgo the operational gates.

Presently I am satisfied with the way the track plan is operating, so I don't foresee a need to expand the layout with lumber, although there may be some interest in seeing if some additional room would allow me to correct the track work near the engine house (the final track of that three-track yard seems a bit tight). However, when I begin to scenic the area it may help to add 2-4" near the engine house!

[fast car]

Any tips on where I might be able to obtain some Highball HO and N scale limestone ballast?

My local hobby shop only carries the Woodland Scenics varieties (which I grew to hate while ballasting my 4' x 8' - if a product can inspire that much ire from a 15 ft. mainline, I don't want to know what kind of mood I would be in after trying to get it to stay in place for an entire layout)!

Most of the sites with which I am familiar have been sold out.

Try Arizona Rock and Mineral. I get ballast/base ground cover through this company.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://rrscenery.com/index.html">http://rrscenery.com/index.html</a><!-- m -->

[dgaken]

Thanks, Fastcar!

This looks like a great product. Have you used their online order form? It doesn't ask for your entire credit card number (which I guess I prefer, as it's not a secure page), do they follow up and do billing via telephone? Do any retailers carry their ballast?

Thanks for the help!

[fast car]

Thanks, Fastcar!

This looks like a great product. Have you used their online order form? It doesn't ask for your entire credit card number (which I guess I prefer, as it's not a secure page), do they follow up and do billing via telephone? Do any retailers carry their ballast?

Thanks for the help!

Dgaken,

Do your order over the phone and just give them the part numbers and CC information. This is the same company that Lance Mindheim uses for his current and past Miami based layouts. Lance has only good things to say about this supplier. I believe there is a six bag minimum for orders.

Larry from Traverse City

[fast car]

In recent months I've spent a lot of time online on this site and others, pouring over track plans and layout photos, all the while amassing a collection of locomotives, rolling stock, and structures seemingly without rhyme or reason. After a recent move, I've decided to finally build a layout.

Other than a 4' x 8' featuring the World's Greatest Hobby E-Z track pack, this will be my first attempt at a model railroad. I believe chronicling the experience here will benefit me in a number of ways. First and foremost, it takes only a few moments in these forums to recognize the collection of expertise and skill that is present- so I am hopeful that many of you will be kind enough to provide your feedback and insight as I progress with this project. Also, I believe that making the public commitment of posting updates on the layout will motivate me to make timely progress on the layout. Finally, the desire to continue sharing will help ensure that I take the time to document and photograph the progress I do make.

After some exploration, I've chosen to model a fictional branch of the modern Ann Arbor Railroad. This branch runs through my hometown of Mt. Pleasant, MI and interchanges with CSX. Historically, the Ann Arbor RR ran right up the heart of Michigan, connecting Mt. Pleasant with the rest of the world. However, today our only rail action is the daily Great Lakes Central local on its run to Clare or Cadillac/Yuma. And, while I'm making up this fantastic world in which a colorful array of trains passes through my central Michigan town, there may be a few new Amtrak routes added to the timetable!

The space I've allocated to the railroad is somewhat constrained. The train will be in a guest bedroom, and there is a need for it to be relatively unobtrusive. The benchwork I've decided to use is the now popular shelf with hollow-core doors topped with 1 1/2" extruded foam. The layout is L-shaped with a 13' leg and an 8' leg, the width of the doors is 15". The fascia is 1/8" masonite, as is the backdrop.

On the long leg I plan to have a team track and material lay down area, some building flats representing some small on-line industries (as well as some non-rail served industries and housing for scenery), as well as a runaround track. In the corner of the layout, behind the main and yard lead, will be a grain elevator (the dominant on-line industry in this region of Michigan). The short leg will feature an engine house with a small three-track yard that houses a fuel pad and sanding tower. Beyond the engine house is a 4' removable staging cassette.

I have the benchwork complete, and the track laying is progressing well, so I hope to be able to add some photographs soon. Also, when time permits, I will be drawing a final version of the track plan.

Dgaken,

After completing my graduate work in microbiology at CMU, I worked for a environmental consulting group that did ground water analysis at the Yuma sand mining operation. The operation in the early to mid 70's, consisted of a 100 yd X 200 yd square pit that had at least two or three front end loaders dumping sand onto a moving conveyor belt that would move the sand to ground level. The conveyors ran about half the length of the open pit. After reaching the surface, sand was sifted and then washed with a combination of water and pine oil to float the organics (primarily woody plant material/insects) to the surface. This was then skimmed and the pure clean sand was then sent to a rotary kiln dryer. The hot dry sand was then conveyored to enclosed hopper cars and sent on its way south and almost entirely used as cast sand for engine blocks and other cast iron parts.

The unique aspect of this mining operation was the fact that Yuma was one of the only mines to take back spent sand from the casting plants. The returned material was very dark black in color and smelled like the old paste that kids used in grade school. The spent material contained various compounds and was the main reason we were on site for monitoring perimeter wells that circled the mine. The open pit mine was back filled with the spent sand. It wasn't uncommon for Yuma to fill fifteen to twenty hoppers per day. I'm not sure how many returned hoppers they received with spent material. I'm sure by now the returning of spent sand has ceased due to environmental concerns.

Larry

[Russ Bellinis]

Dgaken,

After completing my graduate work in microbiology at CMU, I worked for a environmental consulting group that did ground water analysis at the Yuma sand mining operation. The operation in the early to mid 70's, consisted of a 100 yd X 200 yd square pit that had at least two or three front end loaders dumping sand onto a moving conveyor belt that would move the sand to ground level. The conveyors ran about half the length of the open pit. After reaching the surface, sand was sifted and then washed with a combination of water and pine oil to float the organics (primarily woody plant material/insects) to the surface. This was then skimmed and the pure clean sand was then sent to a rotary kiln dryer. The hot dry sand was then conveyored to enclosed hopper cars and sent on its way south and almost entirely used as cast sand for engine blocks and other cast iron parts.

The unique aspect of this mining operation was the fact that Yuma was one of the only mines to take back spent sand from the casting plants. The returned material was very dark black in color and smelled like the old paste that kids used in grade school. The spent material contained various compounds and was the main reason we were on site for monitoring perimeter wells that circled the mine. The open pit mine was back filled with the spent sand. It wasn't uncommon for Yuma to fill fifteen to twenty hoppers per day. I'm not sure how many returned hoppers they received with spent material. I'm sure by now the returning of spent sand has ceased due to environmental concerns.

Larry

I wonder if they have found a method of cleaning the spent sand for reuse? Of course if there is a method that isn't too costly or difficult, the casting company may be doing it themselves. Of course, it the sand went south from Yuma, it probably went to Mexico. Does the Mexican Government even care about the possibility of pollution of ground water with the spent casting sand?

[fast car]

Dgaken,

After completing my graduate work in microbiology at CMU, I worked for a environmental consulting group that did ground water analysis at the Yuma sand mining operation. The operation in the early to mid 70's, consisted of a 100 yd X 200 yd square pit that had at least two or three front end loaders dumping sand onto a moving conveyor belt that would move the sand to ground level. The conveyors ran about half the length of the open pit. After reaching the surface, sand was sifted and then washed with a combination of water and pine oil to float the organics (primarily woody plant material/insects) to the surface. This was then skimmed and the pure clean sand was then sent to a rotary kiln dryer. The hot dry sand was then conveyored to enclosed hopper cars and sent on its way south and almost entirely used as cast sand for engine blocks and other cast iron parts.

The unique aspect of this mining operation was the fact that Yuma was one of the only mines to take back spent sand from the casting plants. The returned material was very dark black in color and smelled like the old paste that kids used in grade school. The spent material contained various compounds and was the main reason we were on site for monitoring perimeter wells that circled the mine. The open pit mine was back filled with the spent sand. It wasn't uncommon for Yuma to fill fifteen to twenty hoppers per day. I'm not sure how many returned hoppers they received with spent material. I'm sure by now the returning of spent sand has ceased due to environmental concerns.

Larry

I wonder if they have found a method of cleaning the spent sand for reuse? Of course if there is a method that isn't too costly or difficult, the casting company may be doing it themselves. Of course, it the sand went south from Yuma, it probably went to Mexico. Does the Mexican Government even care about the possibility of pollution of ground water with the spent casting sand?

ol


Actually, at the time, was going to the Detroit/Lansing andToledo area. Of course, that was when we made car parts in the U.S.

[dgaken]

Well, I thought I would post a quick update here.

The Ann Arbor branch, as described above, is no more. I was really beginning to enjoy the layout (enough that I was tough to make progress because I would operate in my free time instead of adding scenic elements)!

I have moved from my apartment into a house, and the basement has compelled me to build a larger layout. I've drafted a track plan here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/8411504201/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/8411504201/</a><!-- m -->

Construction is going well, the benchwork is 90% complete and the track is 75% complete. My hope is to have both of these stages done during this coming summer!

[fast car]

dgaken,

I really like the track plan and it looks like it will offer excellent operational possibilities. I'm not really familiar with the major roads that operate in southern michigan (Traverse City native). As a matter of fact, on my way to Ann Arbor two weeks ago, I was surprised to see two BNSF units setting near an I-96 overpass southeast of Lansing. I believe the freight consisted of mostly covered hoppers, at least near the front of the train. I am looking forward to more photos.

Larry

[dgaken]

Thanks, Larry. Southern and mid-michigan offer a varied selection of roads to model.

Until very recently, CSX was still contracted by Consumers Power to bring coal to their Weedock facility in Essexville Michigan (photo: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/5851363642/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/5851363642/</a><!-- m -->). To date, there are occasional run-through BNSF coal trains from the Powder River Basin. The facility also has the capacity to receive coal directly from lake boat at its dock on the Saginaw River.

At Durand there is a wonderful assortment of class I railroads and short lines. CN has a strong presence (with many locals being powered by Geep still wearing GTW blue and red), and the Great Lakes Central (former TSBY) and Huron & Eastern all connect here. It gives a great opportunity to model a wide range of power. Of course, with the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, I occasionally run a Berkshire

Hope to have more photos soon -- it's been a busy summer to date!

dgaken,

I really like the track plan and it looks like it will offer excellent operational possibilities. I'm not really familiar with the major roads that operate in southern michigan (Traverse City native). As a matter of fact, on my way to Ann Arbor two weeks ago, I was surprised to see two BNSF units setting near an I-96 overpass southeast of Lansing. I believe the freight consisted of mostly covered hoppers, at least near the front of the train. I am looking forward to more photos.

Larry

[dgaken]

Quick update: I've since moved, and the layout depicted in much of this thread has been dismantled. In my new home I am fortunate to have a spare bedroom that (for the time) can be consumed by the train.

The layout construction and feel are largely the same. Instead of the AA in Mt. Pleasant, this layout will be based on my original hometown of Bay City, MI. Bay City has seen the D&M, C&O, CSX and others. Currently, operations in Bay City feature two regional short lines, the Lake State Railway (which operates the former CSX Saginaw Division) and the Genesee & Wyoming owned Huron & Eastern Railroad.

This layout approximates the HESR's Wenona Yard and a small switching district. The revised track plan can be found here:


<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://flic.kr/p/mrnhu4">https://flic.kr/p/mrnhu4</a><!-- m -->

[dgaken]

For those interested, here are some overall photos of the layout and how it fits into the room:

Overall shot of room and railroad: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/13676124705/in/photostream/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/13 ... otostream/</a><!-- m -->

Shot of the long leg and Wenona Yard: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/13676477224/in/photostream/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/13 ... otostream/</a><!-- m -->

Shot of the short leg and switching district: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/13676140245/in/photostream/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/13 ... otostream/</a><!-- m -->

Shots of the train diplay cases in the room:
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