Cal, your "mock ups" look as good as the final product.

You do great work, thanks for the tutorial.

The lumber dealer buiding looks very interesting. You may already know this, but the reason for docks on both sides of the car
is so that forklifts can unload both sides of the car equally...otherwise it can turn over on it's side.

Keep up the good work.

Barry

I'm not sure about you guys but not being from a rail back ground I have had many a question about the right type of freight car for the right type of freight.

I happened across this page <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.uprr.com/customers/equip-resources/cartypes/covered.shtml">http://www.uprr.com/customers/equip-res ... ered.shtml</a><!-- m --> which sums up COVERED HOPPER perfectly. Now I know what comodity will be delivered in what type of hopper... Round hatch, long hatch, phenumatic, gravity, gates, valves...all explained!

Nice find, Cal. Covers all the car types.

Indeed those are handy freight car reference guides and most railroads have such customer information.

I also notice it puts some freight car load myths to bed.

I have been very busy at work and not getting a lot done on the layout ... What I did do was lift all the track to take it out and get it ready for weathering and put a base coat down over the foam, looks like I've achieved nothing!! But when the track goes back it will be for good and things can start to happen permanently...:

[attachment=7716]

....And the elves brought it all back in the night!

[attachment=7718]

[attachment=7717]

Good thing.... now I have to wire it all permanently and I will have to wait for my connectors from Mouser. Then the hard work starts... But at least whatever I do from not will be perminent!

Man....why don't elves or gnomes or magic pixies ever help me with my layout??

Keep up the great work on the layout!!!!

The upper cove with the lighting looks good. You've got me wondering if there is some way to add an upper cove to my layout.

Well no more elves...I've got to start the wiring.

Dropped in some feeders and laid the first part of the bus. I found a neat way to run the bus as a continuous wire buy using a terminal block at each end and threading the bus through more terminal blocks in the middle at the bends. These are screwed into place and you can really get some great tension on them. Now I am awaitng my "siut case connectors" that will get power from that bus to the track!

[attachment=7732]

[attachment=7731]

[attachment=7730]

Let me know how those "suit case" connectors work for you. I have heard mixed reviews on them...

I really dislike electrical work and finding an easier way to do things is always a plus!!

mountaingoatgreg Wrote:Let me know how those "suit case" connectors work for you. I have heard mixed reviews on them...

I really dislike electrical work and finding an easier way to do things is always a plus!!

Hi Cal & Greg. For what it's worth I used suit connectors to attach feeder wires to my track buss. I used 14 gauge for the buss lines and then used 18 gauge to connect the various components to the buss. I guess it may seem obvious, but just make sure you get the right connectors for the wires you plan to use and don't strip the wires! Leave the insulation on. I also found it helpful to use some channel locks to pierce the wire insulation as they seemed to get a nice grip as opposed to some regular pliers. I suppose you could by some crimping pliers, but they are a little expensive.

Cal,
This is a great layout! I really like the way you did the benchwork and lighting, very slick! Keep up the inspiring work.

John

Very neat wiring..!! Wish I had thought of that when I was doing my wiring.... Is that solid wire in there..?? What gauge..??

I'll go that route in the new section that's going to be built, and maybe upgrade the existing wiring then....

I don't think you will be happy with the structure next to the edge. I would suggest building it out possibly two or three inches and adding a street to the front of the building. Reinhard (Faraway) tried this and was not particulary pleased. I would show you what I had, but I have deleted the the structures from my Photobucket site.

Larry

Hey guys,

Got my Scothlock Connectors, really awesome and had them all in in 30min flat without one short or failure!!! Super neat and cheap at the end of it all!

[attachment=7778]