Installed DCC decoders in most newly painted engines... and some rilvalry between CNR and CPR aroused. We also, almost, completed the new signals controlled by CPU.

Most shots were taken at Canardière Road overpass. My favorite beeing the first one.















Matt

Matt, is this the layout you're describing in another thread? And signals controlled by CPU -- tell us more!

jwb Wrote:Matt, is this the layout you're describing in another thread? And signals controlled by CPU -- tell us more!

No, I think I never properly shown the club layout in a thread (if you can call a club a 3-man combined effort). It depict the same locale (the yard and the industries on the other side of it) as the shelf layout I'm challenged to complete. (Just learned this morning I had to write a 3000 word research paper for a conference by February, now, that's gonna be a challenge). It represent mainly Limoilou Yard and Quebec City grain elevator facilities circa 1957. For purpose of running train, we included a part of wilderness between the two scenes that are in fact closely tied together. The wilderness part is Cap-Tourmente tunnel and St-Joachim Station, somewhre 25 miles east to Quebec City on ex-Murray Bay Subdivision (QRL&PCo). For more info about it and track plan, you can check up my blog:http://hedley-junction.blogspot.com/

Honestly, I didn't design the signal system. I only bashed the masts and targets. Signals are manually activated to secure route. However, there's about 8 relied signals that must work all together to give the right orders. They follow CNR practice. The CPU is used to build up the program that makes sure everything works togethers. Most signals include 3 or 2 color LED. A small processor which control the signals can be connected to a computer to upload the program on them. At this point, I can't say more as I'm a total dummy in electronics.

These signals protect two tunnels and their corresponding junctions. All tunnels are located near yard entraces. We absolutely needed "Real" signals to know what happens on the other train room. We once used this system with DC, it was easier to make sure there was no obstruction on the main line. But now with DCC, these tunnels are now very dangereous without signal. They are also linked directly with electrically operated turnouts. One of the signal is an old solenoid-activated semaphore.

I wish I could gave you more info about them... We operated the layout a little bit yesterday night and it was an interesting operation feature to have to wait for orders and mainline to clear. Now, I feel like the sidings have a real purpose.

Matt

@JWB, here are few more pictures of the layout.

The club layout track plan:

Bassin Louise (Quebec City Harbour)


It was supposed to looks like this at first: Murray Bay Subdivision and Baie-Saint-Paul Station. Club members wanted to keep the harbor but also the mainline running along the river.



Hedley-Junction/Limoilou Yard, not updated at all, but still gives a good idea.


A few more picture.





















A shot of the new signals:



The highway, a scratchbuilt structure following the real-life prototype

Well, that's really great -- it's extra fun to see the labels in French in the second plan! I hope you'll keep showing us more progress.

Nice Pics!!!

Don't you Hate having to limit the Right Of Way, so you can wash clothes??? That was one of my best running jokes! We had to shorten the original N gauge layout, because my mother thought it was more important to keep our clothes clean than to let us have an 10 track hump yard....

ngauger Wrote:Nice Pics!!!

Don't you Hate having to limit the Right Of Way, so you can wash clothes??? That was one of my best running jokes! We had to shorten the original N gauge layout, because my mother thought it was more important to keep our clothes clean than to let us have an 10 track hump yard....

Well said!! It took months to convince the house's owner to accept the fact we needed this space for the GRAIN ELEVATOR... What is more important? Feeding people all over the world or washing your OWN clothes like an egoist?

We tried to convince him to get a frontal washer, he refused... So we narrowed it as much as possible. One evening, when he wasn't in the room, we moved the washer and dryer about 4 inches apart from the wall! ;-) Didn't say a word... We he noticed our strategy by the end of the vening, it was too late and he capitulated.

Matt

We decided to build a new double crossover on the club layout to help operation between the yard and the main line. Signals are now fully functionnal (you can see the yellow target in the background). As an extra, Lairet Siding is now 5' longer and Massey-Harris siding is much better looking.



These modifications triggered us to upgrade the 18th Avenue overpass according to the prototype.

BEFORE


AFTER




Matt

That railroad bridge over the wide street looks terrific! It reminds me of scenes from St. Paul and probably could be found in every other large town or city in North America. Nice work!
Ralph