Actioned since 29 April 2023:

1. Installed wiring from the Command Station to the two PD4 control panels.
2. Installed the PD4 BUS from Winter Park to Grandby.
3. Wired Turnouts P313, P314, P319 & P320.
4. Stuck on P318 — point motor seems to be stuck.
5. Tested the Big Loop from DUSTY (Denver Union Stock Yard) to Grand Jct loop. Runs ok sometimes. Locos seem to stall on a number of the turnouts when ran at low speeds. Speeds over NCE 20-30 do not stall. Significant problem.
6. The “short” problem running with lighted passenger cars occurred when two locos passed each other on the Kato crossover section. They both stalled.

Immediate Action:

1. Fix sticky P318 point motor.
2. Need to finish wiring P315;316;317
3. Need to finish the BUS wiring for PD4.
4. Need to investigate stalling problems with Big Loop turnouts.
5. Solve “short” problem running lighted passenger cars.

Ongoing Action:

1. Complete laying track from Bond to Craig and temporarily wire.
2. Design PD4 control panel diagrams with Visio and install switches and LEDs.
3. Lay all of the Grand Junction return loop tracks.

Actioned tonight:

1. Installed wiring from the Command Station to the two PD4 control panels.
2. Installed 40% of the PD4 BUS.

Immediate Action:

1. Finish laying the PD4 BUS.
2. Need to investigate stalling problems at P266 & P303 turnouts
3. Solve “short” problem running lighted passenger cars.

Ongoing Action:

1. Wire track feeders from Winter Park to Bond to the PD4 BUS.
2. Wire PD4 turnouts to temporary connections on the control panels.
3. When complete lay track from Bond to Craig and temporarily wire.
4. Lay all of the Grand Junction return loop tracks.

Actioned tonight:

1. Continued testing locomotives on small circle of track (aka Denver Union Stockyards).
2. Found loss of power fault and fixed.
3. Reset Atlas S2 #117 to factory settings – it is now working ok.
4. Found problem re capital letter to start phases of groups, etc.

Immediate Action:

1. Continue testing locomotives, creating consists and speed matching.
2. Clean Grand Jct. loop track and run tests.
3. Investigate and solve “short” problem running lighted passenger cars.

On going Action:

1. Wire track & turnouts from Winter Park to Bond to temp connections in the control panels.
2. When complete lay track from Bond to Craig and temporarily wire.
3. Lay all of the Grand Junction return loop tracks.

Actioned over the last 3 days:

1. Vacuumed entire garage and dusted all surfaces ahead of painting on Sunday.
2. Have 3L of Black Mat Paint in stock. Purchased an extra 2L as backup.
3. Purchased paintbrushes and miscellaneous supplies for the NMRA working bee on Sunday.

Actioned tonight:

1. Cleaned small test circle track – only used Scotties micro cloths, no liquid.
2. Started testing/speed matching switching locomotives on the small circle of track.
3. Walthers locos performed very well.
4. Interesting results for Micro-Trains locos.

On going Action:

1. Wire track & turnouts from Winter Park to Bond to temp connections in the control panels.
2. When complete lay track from Bond to Craig and temporarily wire.
3. Lay all of the Grand Junction return loop tracks.

Actioned tonight:

1. Finished wiring turnouts P265-P267.
2. Sticky track over P264 & P267 seems ok now.
3. Reinstalled turnouts P311 & P312. Had to solder in place – seems ok. Had to use a Bronze tie strip in order to use a large amount of solder over one of the joins. Need to test the electrical contacts of the turnouts now that they have been reinstalled. This can wait until after Sunday’s NMRA visit.

Outstanding Actions for current phase:

1. Test UP/CBQ loop for freight running and run test trains on both the UP and DRGW trackage ahead of NMRA meeting on Sunday.
2. Plan to show trains running to NMRA group before painting bee.
3. Vacuum entire garage and dust all surfaces ahead of painting. All stuff needs to be above layout.
4. Buy Black Mat Paint and other supplies for the NMRA working bee on Sunday.

Actioned tonight:

1. Wired T503 & T504 with Loops to the BD20s. Tested ok.
2. Replaced screw terminals for P264-P267 with a solder terminal strip. Easier to access.
3. Wired 24vDC CDU to local control panel.
4. Wired P264 – tested ok.

Outstanding Actions for current phase:

1. Finish wiring turnouts P265-P267.
2. Find fault of sticky track over P264 & P267.
3. Reinstall turnouts P311 & P312.
4. Test UP/CBQ loop for freight running and run test trains on both the UP and DRGW trackage ahead of NMRA meeting on Sunday.
5. Buy Black Mat Paint and other supplies for the NMRA working bee on Sunday.

Actioned tonight:

1. Wired T505 and tested ok.
2. Connected 9vDC power to solder board for T503 & T504. Only loop wiring and testing still to be done.
3. Added Brother Labels as required.
4. Installed screw terminals for P264-P267.

See yesterdays blog for lists of outstanding actions.

Tonight’s Action: Working on Power District (PD) 3 being the RG main line from Denver to the Moffat Tunnel on Module 8+7

1. BD-20 for T407 defective. Negative lead #2 to external LED failed – zero volts. Swapped for a new BD-20 and all is ok now.
2. Replaced 4 x AAA batteries in CAB 02.
3. Track cleaned with ACT-6006 on 6th April needed cleaning again. Used CRC-26 this time. We shall see.
4. Ran the 3 test locos (2110; 3008; 5654) over T505 to T412. Ran ok after a fashion. I think the locos need more running in.

Action Problems:

1. Wire T505
2. Connect BD-20s to T504 & T503
3. Connect turnouts group starting with P264 to control panel
4. Check sticky power to P264 & P267
5. Test UP/CBQ loop for freight running (passenger running requires significant changes in wiring) and run test trains on both the UP and DRGW trackage

On going Action:

1. Clean small test circle track and commence formal running-in of locomotives
2. Maybe Speed Match
3. Wire track & turnouts from Winter Park to Bond to temp connections in the control panels
4. When complete lay track from Bond to Craig and temporarily wire
5. Lay all of the Grand Junction return loop tracks