Todo list

I've been using Airtable for many purposes. One of them is to maintain the list of things to do next. This is how it looks: 

First run on the full layout

 

After yesterday's cleaning, I was able to run engines on the full layout!

And running on the main tracks:

During this run, I realized there might be an issue with a double slip switch A4. Also, the BB 15000 was not liking the rail gap by the switch C2. While I've tested all sections occupancy and retrosignalisation, I probably have to test all switches going in all directions. This is for the next session ...

Track cleaning ...

 

All tracks are now clean!! I used two types of cleaning rubbers:

• Peco #PL-41 Rail Cleaner: more abrasive for the tracks I haven't cleaned before

• Walthers #949-521 Bright Boy Abrasive Track Cleaner: more gentle for the outside tracks

They both work well. They get used quite quickly and require a thorough vacuuming afterwards as they leave some residues behind.

Walthers rubber on the left

And it's all well and nice:

ECoS Programming

 

With all the wiring done and all the tracks glued down, I can finish the modeling of the layout on the ECoS. Here are the steps:

1. Draw the layout by starting with the switches and by adding the remaining tracks
2. Link tracks to Railcom and retro-signal detectors
3. Test occupancy detectors
4. Test switch motors

ECos switch symbols

As one would expect, the switch's icon on the ECoS does not necessarily show the correct way the switch is thrown. One would also expect that the ECoS allows for the icon to be switched without actually throwing the switch. Well ... I found only this article online and it seems that the only option is to actually switch the power wires to the switch motor. I tried flipping the switch motor manually, but that does not work.

This is unfortunate, as in some instances I could not swap the power wires since they were cut to size. Instead, I had to switch these wires at the terminal, ending in a color mismatching, which I certainly dislike:

Current status

Here's where we stand:

• Wiring: done, except for the switch frogs
• Tracks: done, except for the missing sleepers and for section M4 as I'm still not sure it is the best design since that area should have the freight hall
• Switches: done

What's next then? Cleaning tracks ... again ...

Done gluing!!

 

And with that, I'm done gluing tracks!

I also started to cut the excess of the track bed. It's a bit messy, but the ballast will cover everything.

More gluing ...

 

More gluing ... And I think the last switch is now glued down!

And I also have to glue back sleepers in many small sections:

Van Biervliet AM86 NewLook

 

And now a second AM86 from Van Biervliet, but this time is the most recent color scheme. This is the real thing:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wdaelmans/35960057531/

And here's the model I purchased: Van Biervliet VB-4006-07 DCC Sound with interior lighting:

I followed my typical process:

1. Save a copy of the original decoder configuration
2. Adjust the decoder address
3. Set up the engine on the ESU ECoS

Jouef BB 669126

 

I've been waiting for this engine for quite a while and it is now released. Here's the real machine:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jobiwannn/7894772852/

It's made by Jouef with reference HJ2393S:

And the configuration in my systems: