| NCM Events Log - August 2007 August 5, 2007. Ken completed nearly all scenery this weekend. Too much to itemize. See the photo. Sorry about some of the crummy edges on the "mosaic" below, pressed for time.  Only telephone poles & fire hydrants need planting and are trivial. Must also add people and vehicles when all ground cover glue is completely dry. This work will be completed NLT August 11th. Delivery may occur as soon as Monday August 13th subject to availability of Joe, Jen, and of course, Charile and his trailer. Ken will contact Jen and Charlie this week for scheduling. August 2, 2007. Joe dropped off several completed cars and picked up a sleeping hobo for the gondola car he is building. After this car is completed only engine weathering remains. Ken will photograph the cars on the layout when the layout glue is dry and the rails are cleaned. July 29, 2007. Ken painted road and the white line down the middle. Made concrete driveway/lot for gas station. Painted and installed end of track bumpers. Painted Hobo campfire scene, glued in the lightbulb "flame" and superglued tiny red beads around fire for more visual effect. Excavated homosote and planted hobo scene into layout. Painted and installed fences behind two row houses and added signage and hobo codes for these two locations. Added "boards" below lighted billboard and painted on hobo code for this location. Afixed sign panels on Sash Co. and put on the hobo code for this location. Painted white picket fence for the doctor's and/or judge's house(s). Ken took pictures and posted here. July 28, 2007 Rob repaired and returned the black box. It was installed and tested. Ken completed building the water tower, barn, and windmill. Installed all on the layout and leveled farm house, barn and water tower (all are on a hill side). July 25, 2007 Built billboard with electric lights, installed and tested. Began fastening down structures in their permanent locations. July 18, 2007 Ken soldered 40 wires onto 20 buttons and packaged. 18 will be used, 2 spares. July 16, 2007 Sent note to Jen regarding number of buttons and use of 3 more hobo codes (see below). Contacted Rob and met him to disect the black box. Rob found nothing visibly toasted but replacement of I.C. chip now allows control to be switched on. Problem remains that it does not shut off after a few seconds. Swapping capacitors and resistors did not resolve so Rob will take some time to do more troubleshooting without Ken leaning over his shoulder. July 15, 2007 Electrical continues and work on powerpoint diagram of all electrical continues. July 14, 2007 Charlie T. returned the Dr. house, 5&10 store and school house complete and weathered. Nice job on all! Ken continued to work wiring and by July 15 completed all including the sounds boards, hobo campfire and cable end for the buttons panel. While placing structures, scenes and hobo codes found that three more codes can be used for "light up" locations. Will send note Monday 16 to museum regarding this and noting increase in buttons from 14 to 18. In the bad news department, the black box that controls the train is not functioning. Suspect Ken accidentally reversed polarity while rearranging power sources under layout. Will notify Rob on Monday. July 12, 2007 Joe A. reported progress on the engines and rolling stock. He's well ahead of the layout completion so we'll have a train before we have a (finished) place to run it. Ken finished cutting and connecting to terminal blocks all the wiring leads that will be wrapped in a sleeve to run out of the layout base. Terminal blocks need to be connected at the button end. All (4) transformers are connected to the power panel terminal blocks. Sound boards should be arriving very soon and all structures should be in VERY soon. When all are placed, holes will be drilled for the structure lighting and speaker openings. July 11, 2007 Dave T. returned the completed Farm House structure. He did a great job. Authentic paint scheme, curtains in the windows, and some very light weathering on chimney and roof. Posted photo. Wiring continued with run of 18 button control wires from internal connector panel to external button control panel. July 5, 2007 Museum Staff and Graphic Designer visit layout. Pictures posted in July photo album. July 4, 2007 Electrical power and distribution built in layout cabinet. July 1, 2007 All six row houses complete. Station platorm is complete. Posted more pictures. June 28, 2007 Work continues on structures. Row houses and Station pictures posted. June 25, 2007 Joe A. picked up the last of the railroad cars, a pack of hobo figures and crates for flat car load. Ken painted the rock castings along the curve below the farm. This is a "cut" instead of a tunnel to partially hide the train from view. June Photo page added to website. June 24, 2007 Rob delivered the completed control circuit "black box" and installed it on the layout. Ran one of Ken's steam locos using the "push button" to start the train. June 20, 2007 Last of rolling stock, flatcar loads, hobos, & hobo campfire received from supplier, ready for assembly. June 18, 2007 Rob reports completion of breadboard control circuit for pushbutton train operation. Permanent control circuit will be available by June 24. June 18, 2007 Ken, Jen (museum) and Bill (graphic designer) met and discussed layout setting, control panel, and surrounding decor/information display. June 16, 2007 Charlie T. picked up last three structure kits and has volunteered to assemeble. Charlie also volunteered to provided covered trailer for delivery of layout to museum when complete. June 11 2007 Rocks did not get painted over weekend but Ken did work on City Classics houses. Replacement doors at Ken's house took precedence this weekend. That being over....full steam ahead on the layout! Working out pickup times with Joe A. and Charlie T. to get structure kits to build. June 7, 2007 Ordered last of the railroad cars at Peach Creek Shops. Correct period cars are not usually stocked in area shops. Also ordered hobo campfire (electronic-flickering light), and hobos and accessories for a scene on a flat car. Joe A. reports all cars in hand are completed and volunteered to build structure while waiting for the rest of the cars to arrive. June 5, 2007 Work continues on structures and rolling stock by Joe A. Dave T. and Ken. Rock molds made in place along a "cut" below the farm scene. Slinging plaster is not a pretty sight -- should be painting these rocks by the weekend. Will photo then. Began fitting brick and stone culverts over streams. May 27/28 2007 Ken started work on three row houses (City Classics Kits). Also painted streams and other water ways, such as ditches. May 25, 2007 Joe A. has painted details (rust on fittings, couplers etc, condensation on whistles, pop valves etc.) on two 2-8-0 locomotives. Assembled Hopper, Boxcar, Flat car, painted, working decals and weathering. Not started: Refrigerator car and caboose. Researching caboose for historical correctness May 11, 2007 Dave T. Picked up The Farm House Kit and will do assembly. May 10, 2007 Joe A. Picked up engines and cars to do assembly and weathering. Joe noted historical accuracy issues so some changes will be made, additonal cars are needed May 9, 2007 Ken turned in receipts for initial purchases. May 8, 2007 Purchased Engines, rail cars, autos, people, farm animals, foliage, ballast. Also service station for center of town and a barn for the farm. May 7, 2007 The Project Plan has been updated to allow more time for building structures, vehicles and rolling stock. These are now due in early July vice early June. This trims a little "fat" out of the schedule but does not change end completion date. It does, reduce the time buffer in July for any unforseen events. May 7, 2007 Answer to structures question: Yes, the structures can be farmed out for work at home. You'll need a few basic tools like an exacto knife and a protected work surface. Structure need to be completed first week in July. Structures we have so far fall into three categories: 1. Cornerstone kits from Walthers. Two houses, tower type windmill, and a 5&10 store. We also have a water tower made by Model Power. These are relatively easy, some gluing and cutting needed. 2. City Classics Houses. A little more complicated and these need a little "kit bashing" so they are not all identical. (Each kit has three houses). 3. Ready Built, we have two of these. The Station needs some curved platform work to match the track contour and connect the freight platform to the station. Secondly we have a Sash and Door industry that needs a loading dock and some adjustments to the already installed doors and windows. The City Classics need painting. Others are cast in color but all will need some light weathering. A couple more business type structures are needed and will be purchased this week along with rolling stock and vehicles. Time to build kits varies for each and depends on experience but a minimum of 8 hours should be allowed per kit. Probably less for the kit bashing the Station & Sash Co. Maybe more for the Classic City houses. Joe A. is building/weathering rolling stock. If you want to build structures or vehicle kits please contact Ken to arrange a pickup date/time or discuss particulars. May 6 , 2007 Rob M came by and worked on the layout along with Ken S. Dave T. emailed, unable to attend but asked about building structure kit. Joe A. emailed about rolling stock (he's ready to build and weather). It has not been purchased yet, but will be this coming week. At today's session, all track work was completed including yard and siding. All joints soldered and power feeders in. A "parking" section was made where the loco will stop until a button is pushed to make it go around again. Rails were cut to isolate this section and seperate power feeders were installed. The button control circuit will be installed later. The layout was power jumpered to Ken's layout temporarily. One of Ken's Baldwin Consolidations (like one we will use in the museum) ran on Digitraxx DCC around the layout. The train was way too long for the museum run but we loaded it up with several of Ken's "bad order cars" (underweight, bad trucks, worn wheels, chipped flanges, etc...). This was an acid test, if this train runs ok, and it did, the track should be just about bullet proof. Track should do very well with metal wheelsets, balanced/weighted cars, and good KD #5 couplers. The station and a large industry building were temporarily positioned on the layout to make sure they fit in close proximity to the track. Given that next Sunday is Mothers Day, turnout will probably be worse than today, so please contact Ken if you want to attend anyway. Alternate dates/times are fine too, just contact Ken so he can open the building. May 2, 2007
April 14, 2007 Task #24 started with purchase of most structures. April 8, 2007 Task #12 Benchwork is complete. (One panel remains off for access). Task #16 preparing surface and track laying has begun. Task #20 rough layout/elevations/streams is complete. Task #21 mock up strutures is complete. March 11, 2007 Task #16 surface, roadbed track did not start as scheduled. Red on Schedule for delay. March 10, 2007 Work continues on Task #12 Benchwork. Poplar lumber edges cut and installed around upper edge leaving one inch recess for the layout surface. Photos added to this web. March 4. 2007 Work continues on Task #12 Benchwork. Lower shelf and plywood top ready. Photos added to this web. March 1, 2007 Joe A. volunteered to build and weather rolling stock. Joe provided list of cars correct for period. Other members may build under Joe's guidance for weathering for consistency.
February 24, 2007 Started Task #15, purchased track and track joiners. February 24, 2007 COMMENTS ANYONE? The layout will have pushbutton sounds. Being considered are steam train whistle, a farm, hobo campfire music...Please review sounds and provide comments or suggestions. Steam whistles HQ-100 #1, #4, #5 are options. #4 has track sounds, and #5 has loco bell. HQ-420 barnyard, HQ-646 Hobo/campfire/music. Preview Sounds online. (or is it Prelisten?) February 23, 2007 Task #17 started , Rob M. researching train control circuit. February 22, 2007 Started Task #11, Most, but not all, lumber for benchwork/cabinet purchased. February 22, 2007 copy of this website mailed to club secretary. February 20, 2007 First drawing (exploded view) posted for Task #10, benchwork/cabinet design February 20, 2007 Rob M. volunteered to take lead in designing train control system. Rob proposes alternative to gapped track starting and stopping train. February 20, 2007 Chris K. provided positive feedback via email. February 20, 2007 MARRS members were provided a reference to this website.
February 19, 2007 Ken S. builds a MARRSweb.org "annex" and posts to the internet the ConOp, Project Plan, and other documents. February 18, 2007 Ken S. completes Project Plan and Concept of Operations. February 15. 2007 Dave Y. suggests mini-scene ideas, suggests special inks and black light flashlights for young visitors to use. Endorses the On30 idea. February 15, 2007 Mitchell R. suggests a "Where's Waldo" sort of display on the railroad. February 15, 2007 Joe N. offers suggested source for retail electronics. February 15. 2007, Joe A., Rob M. & Lee G. provide discussion and information about scenery markings pertinent to the display subject. February 15, 2007 Juan F. suggests On30 be considered instead of HO scale at slightly more cost. February 13, 2007 Mark P. offers suggestions and use of a book on subject matter of exhibit. Reply: Passed offer of book loan the museum staff. February 13, 2007 Mark P. suggests that modeled time period dictates use of 35-40ft cars and period equipment. Suggests KD couplers and metal wheelsets for reliability. Reply. Spot on. of February 13, 2007 Mike S. comments on location of scenery items. February 13, 2007 Dave Y. asks about scenery essential to exhibit purpose. February 13, 2007 Greg M. offers material support and help as needed. Reply: Because museum will fund the project and retain ownership donation of material should not be necessary. February 13, 2007 Ken S. emailed club officers Rob M. and Joe A. with a briefing on details of the agreement made between the museum and Ken S. as project manager. February 12, 2007 Ken S. visits Jennifer W. at the museum. A copy of the track plan made by Joe A. was provided. A spreadsheet showing materials list and cost was made by Ken S. and provided. Agreement was reach to build the 4x6 layout on a low table ("kid height") for completion not later than August. The cost estimated in the spreadsheet is within budget. Ken S. will be project manager and will submit receipts to the museum for reembursment. Ken S. will prepare a Concept of Operations, and a Project Plan with an estimated completion of one week. February 9, 2007 Joe A. provides sketch of proposed track plan and list of proposed structures. February 9, 2007 Ken S. volunteers a location to build near the museum (Savage, MD). volunteers to build the layout except for electrical control. February 9, 2007 Steve H. volunteers to help where needed. February 8, 2007 Following discussion with Jennifer W., Joe A. advises the MARRS membership by email about the project. This is a general call for volunteers and ideas on where to build for later move to Museum. Some of the needed skills are stated. Museum will fund track, table, scenery, structures. Joe A. offers to loan engine and rolling stock. January 5, 2007 Jennifer .W. National Cryptologic Museum describes vision of display and allocated space. Goal is an interactive display with pushbutton train. Could it be built if not borrowed? Where built, moved in virtually complete? Time to build a concern. January 3, 2007 Jennifer W. National Cryptologic Museum contacts Joe A. MARRS Secretary asking if the club is interested in collaborating on an exhibit involving freight railroads during the depression. |
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