What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[G3750]

Updated 11/24/2013:

Finally got the photo!

To recap, I did get a chance to work on a fun little project - my Crow River electromagnet. Here's what I got done:
Used a pin vise to drill the 3 holes for hooks.
Installed the hooks.
Painted the electromagnet with Ruddy Brown primer.
Slathered it with lots of Grimy Black weathering powder, followed by DullCote.
Glued a round magnet into the bottom cavity.
Installed some fine black chain using the hooks.

photo_002_003.JPG (110.46 KiB) Viewed 4023 times

George

[G3750]

http://carstensbookstore.com/brtrhabypama.html

I ordered it.

Thanks John.

George

[jlong]

George. I'm sure you'll like the book.

[G3750]

Updated 12/1/2013:

John, got the book and I do like it very much. Good suggestion! Thank you.

I attempted to debug the operationg of the 5 switches on my hidden storage yard yesterday without luck. Previously, I had identified some wires that were loose and had gotten 3 of them operating via pushbutton. I had less success with TMCC remote control. The next morning I tried again and none would work consistently. After e-mail discussions with Dennis Zander, these DZ-2500A switch machines are on their way back to Z-Stuff for replacement with the "C" revision.

These were originally supplied as part of my purchase of Ross turnouts. The "A" version switch machines on the rest of my layout operate properly. I suspect these were part of a bad batch. I know Dennis had some trouble with the "A" version.

Anyway, I have removed all 5, packed them up, and they are on the way. Because of the way I wired them, removal was easy (about 5 minutes each). The real PITA will be getting the spring back in place.

In the meantime, I am hoping for some warmer weather (50 degrees) so that I can get into the garage and paint the wooden bridge floor. Still hoping to hear from some bridge vendors.

George

[G3750]

Updated 12/3/2013:

Warm weather (59 degrees and rain) predicted for Thursday! Major painting exercise planned for that day. I've picked up a drop cloth for the garage. On the schedule for painting:

• Wooden (hopefully temporary) bridge deck and track supports.
• WSX crane components (plastic model)

We'll see if Murphy cooperates. If things run true to form, I'll be swallowed by a giant sinkhole!

George

[Roy]

George, I think you should seriously look into having your bridgework done by 3D printing. It will require work on your part, but some of that will accustom you to the printer's process - so that it will be easier to do, next time. Don't forget the interior detail of the beams, etc. I would expect this to be expensive, but probably much less than what a custom builder would charge, and give much superior results, too. Also, it will take time, especially as this is your first time, but I think you'll find it a worthwhile investment. You can have many steel-making models made, that you simply can't get anywhere else.

[G3750]

George, I think you should seriously look into having your bridgework done by 3D printing. It will require work on your part, but some of that will accustom you to the printer's process - so that it will be easier to do, next time. Don't forget the interior detail of the beams, etc. I would expect this to be expensive, but probably much less than what a custom builder would charge, and give much superior results, too. Also, it will take time, especially as this is your first time, but I think you'll find it a worthwhile investment. You can have many steel-making models made, that you simply can't get anywhere else.

Roy,

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted. Right now I'm waiting to hear from one last bridge vendor. If they can't do it or their price is outrageous, I might jump into the pool. I have:

• Plenty of good, close-up photographs of the prototype
• My own drawing abilities and computer skills
• My 16 year old's engineering drawing skills (not insignificant)

It's the time (and the 3-D printer) that I don't have. Right now, this is a "make or buy" type of decision. If I decide to make the bridge, the 3-D printer route could, repeat could, be the shortest path to success. But I don't know that right now. And the only way to know is to commit a minimum of $2,000 to the project. That's a lot of money given that I will then be spending a lot of time assembling the bridge. Of course, building each box beam or girder from Plastruct (or similar) components will be even more time consuming.

Like I said, I'm tempted, but I need to do my homework to see if this alternative is truly viable.

This is not an enviable position. I might have to scale back my expectations.

George

[rogruth]

George,

Remind me Please.
Is this bridge for your own personal layout or for the Museum?
I thought it was for you.

I understand that you want everything to be as correct as
possible but this might be a case of close enough is good enough.
Of course the most important thing is your own satisfaction but
remember for most observers a bridge that is close will be more
than adequate.
If the cost of buying the copier,other materials and time to build
the bridge will take away from the completion of other parts of
the layout maybe buying something close would be best.

[J. S. Bach]

To add to Roger's comments; if you do choose to buy the printer, then it will be available for future projects. Not to mention the thought that you could, possibly, offset some of the printer's cost by selling or doing small projects for others.

[G3750]

Roger - the bridge is for me. The Museum layout does not include the bridge (fortunately, although it is much easier to build in HO. Central Valley makes the required box beams and girders, damnit! ). If I can compromise on looks, there is a commercial solution available to me. If...

J.S. Bach - you're right. The printer could be used for other projects and could eventually pay for itself.

To be determined....

George

[rogruth]

George,

So you are the ONLY one to satisfy.
Ignore what any of us might say and do what you want.

[Roy]

Actually, George, I was thinking about working with one of the places that have their own printers. There should be one fairly close to you. In fact, I don't think I would advise buying a 3D printer, until you have worked with such a shop. You might start by looking at Wayne's list, or google "3D print shops".

[G3750]

George,

So you are the ONLY one to satisfy.
Ignore what any of us might say and do what you want.

Have no fear. I usually do.

The only real danger is my own imagination.

George

[rogruth]

My problem would be imagining that I could build a bridge like that.

[jlong]

George, The way I understand it is if you go the 3D printer route, don't forget you need a 3D CAD model (drawing) or prototype members that would be scanned. Scanning photographs are a possibility I guess but you would need a zillion. You probably know this but just in case T