So, as you might imagine, my loco is not running on battery power yet. I went inside and reconnected the track pick ups and motor block so I can run it on track power. Yesterday's video proved that I didn't break it yet! Yay! Anyway, I came up with a simple method for quickly attaching / disconnecting the track power wires from the track. I bought these track power jaws from Grandpa's Train Depot in Warwick, RI when I was down in Providence last week. All I did was squish the wire contacts and bend them so I can attach alligator clips to them. I soldered the alligator clips to a length of wire and that connects to the LGB transformer I have. I works wonderfully!
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It is May now and I'm still waiting on a few components so that I can rewire my Forney. However, I did buy the MLS Sound Card! I'm not sure if I had the battery last post, but I do now and I'm a little disappointed. Unfortunately it appears that I measured the bunker wrong and the battery doesn't fit. It will have to go into the cab (and you'll be able to see it.). I'll probably cover it with something black so it's less noticeable. Also, due to this problem, I've decided not to power the LED that is in the cab currently. So, in light of such events here is my final (I hope) wiring diagram for my battery powered Forney. Technical Notes:
Please see my previous post on specifications of my parts used, if you have not already. I am very tired. So, this will be a very short post. Today I got the rest of my track supports in - almost. But, I finished enough that I was able to run my Forney at full speed with no issues (except for a slight problem with the grade - which I hope I'll be able to control a bit better when it is fit with R/C). Here's a short video from one of the prettier parts of my garden. Photos to come... After much deliberation on this matter I have decided to give the Leeds Hill Railroad a proper theme. This will probably be a little tricky to maintain, and will severely limit what stock I can purchase. Though, that may be a good thing! My only current loco is my Forney that is lettered for the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad in Maine, USA.
I also want to have a diesel engine that is lettered for the Providence & Worcester Railroad; which runs between Providence, RI, USA and Worcester, MA, USA. Ideally this loco would be either a GP 38-2 or a GP 9. It looks as if I'll have to do the paintwork and lettering myself because no manufacturer makes such a loco is g-scale. But, that will be a cool project for down the road. Anyway! These two locos have one thing in common, which is very dear to me: the Northeast United States (i.e. New England). Keeping my locos and stock narrowed to this geographical area will greatly limit what I can run, but it will also be a fun challenge! As I said, I will have to repaint a diesel engine to look like a P&W locomotive, and there aren't many other lines that run around this part of the country, since it's such a small area. Other possible options that are common locos include...
However I could repaint and letter many other lines to fit my needs. There are several short-line railroads in Massachusetts alone that I could model (though, I'd have to see if any of them have their own locos and stock). I may also go with a much older-looking steam locomotive from an Early-American period. I've always liked the way they looked! After my first run I needed to pull up and clean several sections of track. I managed to do that last week, and got it to work. However, I didn't have power to the pull-away section over the ramp, so I waited...
Today my Split Jaw Bridge Clamps came in! I fitted them on the rails and did a test run. This was my first successful full-loop run around the Piscine Loop of the LHRR. Now I have to finish the final section of raised track. Coming soon.... Tonight I decided to try and run my Forney DC power on the first complete loop of track on the LHRR. It worked for the most part - though there are some sections of track I need to scrub to improve electrical connection. I will be running battery power, but it'd be nice to be able to incorporate DC power for a visiting hobbyist (or a young cousin who is gifted a very simple Bachmann engine...). There's not much to report other than that. I still have to finish the ballast, so that'll be happening next week.
Check out these photos I took of my trains on the first ever run! This is a step-by-step of how I modified my LGB switches to utilize Tenmille's 16mm point levers.
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Hello!My name is John. This is my website dedicated to all things model railroading! I hope you enjoy! Archives
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