First Video of the CNJ Bronx Terminal Operating

HD Video of Bronx Terminal

I cleaned up the layout and got out all the rolling stock so I could take it for a spin. It runs well and is a lot less difficult to operate than I thought it would be. I numbered all the routes in a logical order. Routes 1 through 17 select each of the yard tracks. The 20 series routes reset the yard tracks, or set the loops to closed. 30 series select the crossovers individually. 40 series are for unloading the car floats. In total there are 31 routes.

The locomotive shown on the video is my brass boxcab model of GE/IR 300 HP CNJ 1000. Its not yet painted, and needs work. It now has a QSI sound decoder installed, which you hear on the video. I am hoping to tweak it a bit before the show so it runs well.

This short video is the debut of it running.

Enjoy!

😉

-T.

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About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: warrisr | 06-17-2009 | 07:06 PM
Posted in: Benchwork Construction | Track Construction | Video | wiring | Comments (8)

The Last Tie

Milestone #2

The Last Tie

June 14, 2009

10:00pm

After a marathon day yesterday, I finally got to solder the final PC board tie in place on the layout! Its been over 2 years of intermittent work, but the trackwork is finally completed.

A rough estimate calculated about 4000 PC board ties on the layout, and at least 2 solder joints on each (most have 3 or 4), I guess there is over 8000 solder joints.

The final joint was honoured with a splash of 16 year old Scotch. Neat.

There is still a length of temporary trackwork to add in before the show, but the “official” trackwork is complete.

Anyone interested in a slightly used soldering station?

-T.

On to Next Section…

About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: Tim | 06-15-2009 | 08:06 AM
Posted in: Latest Posts | Track Construction | Video | Comments (2)

Installing DS-64 Stationary Decoders

Progress Report

Time for an update.  I estimated I was about 60% through the wiring process on my last post.  Now I am at about 50%.

I finally have all the components I need to finish the project.  After scouring all of Ontario for some additional DS-64 stationary decoders I had to resort to ordering some online from Cincinnati.  Fortunately I found a shop that had the four I needed on hand and could send them quickly.  I am now up to 12 units, which is enough to get it all running the way I want.

It is much quicker to explain everything I am doing with video, so I made this update here. Its a bit long, but it explains in detail why I am using the method I am to operate the layout, which may seem complex and expensive, but in the end will offer the most flexible operation.

As of this morning, all the Tortoises have been connected to the DS-54’s. Next I will hook up the additional power routing relays, followed by programming the routes. Once programmed and tested, the DS-64’s will be mounted somewhere under the layout and all the wiring trimmed.

-T.

On to Next Section…

About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: Tim | 06-10-2009 | 08:06 AM
Posted in: Latest Posts | Track Construction | Video | wiring | Comments (2)