Events and Projects

Projects

Events

  1. 2024 Operating Sessions: (Jim Morse)
  2. 2024 Clinic Schedule: For next two years part of Building Technical Teams (Lee Dobyns)
  3. 2024 NMRA Car Building Classes (Bruce Lauerman)
  4. 2024 NMRA Clinic - March 24, 2024 (Mark Wilson)

Major Projects (2024):

  1. Complete materials and training for San Bernardino routes project. [2024]
  2. Rollout of Routing projects.

    3. Install upgraded routing system in San Bernardino. [7-8/2024]

    Install Victorville routing system. [8-9/2024]

    Develop Route and panel plans for Castle Rock. Colorado Springs and Castle Rock will be on same controller. [9/2024]

      Castle Rock likely to have the following panels.

       - Full track panel – Right Central

       - Castle Rock North – Left Side

       - Operation Routes

       - Basic Routes

    Review needs of Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Denver and Cajon/Summit. [7/2024]

    Define architecture of Routing system across layout. [8/2024]

Projects Completed (2024):

  1. Installed crossing gates and signals on N-Scale [6/2024]
  2. Installed crossing gates and signals on HO layout at Cargill. [6-7/2024]
  3. Completed building code for Victorville. [7/2024]
  4. Merged three Mega’s in San Bernardino (Blue, Orange, Green). [6/2024]
  5. Developed new Panels and Routes for Victorville. Build off La Junta controller. [6/2024]
  6. Completed turnout, track and panel changes in Castle Rock. [6/2024]
  7. Completed Phase 2 of Routing project for La Junta and South Pueblo [uses the i2c expander boards for the Route LED and Turnout control outputs]. [6/2024]
  8. Completed building backend automation tools to allow easy addressing of the i2c expander boards. [6/2024]
  9. Completed Phase 1 of Routing project for La Junta and South Pueblo. [4/2024]
  10. Completed training for small team on Scalerails route design methods. [4/2024]
  11. Completed prototype of i2c expander boards with Arduino Mega. [4/2024]
  12. Completed Arduino naming standards for variables and constructs. [4/2024]
  13. Completed Imperial Springs. [5/2024]

Major Projects (2025):

  1. Continue rollout of Route controls for remaining areas.

    2. Colorado Springs and Pueblo. [2025]

    Denver and Cajon-Summit. [2026]

  2. Investigating new LCC standards for our layout in 2023. LCC stands for Layout Command Control and is an extension of DCC. Improving control stability. [2025]

    3. May do nothing on the HO layout. Currently very stable with Smartphone throttles and Digitrax DCC power.

    Not clear we can find alternate 42-amp DCC power system.

Major Ongoing Projects:

  1. Established ongoing track and wheel cleaning process with teams. Ongoing
  2. Inspect all Shinohara turnouts for tie failures and frogs for power. Repair or replace as needed. Ongoing
  3. Clean and repair scenery on HO layout as needed. Ongoing
  4. Inspect LED panels for segments needing repair. Yearly

Projects Completed (2023):

  1. NMRA Golden Spike Achievement Awards to 12 Members. [1/2023]
  2. Completed San Bernardino Routes project. [3/2023] Software updates. [1/2024]
  3. Replaced San Bernardino platform lights with LED units. [4/2023]
  4. Added bypass turnout in Pueblo. [April - 2023]
  5. Rebuilt Hon3 turnouts and track in logging area. [4/2023]
  6. Added dual operation turnout control in Hon3 wye turnout. [April 2023]
  7. Removed all Loco-net jacks, pockets and cabling from the upper level. [5/2023]
  8. Removed old dispatching phone system.
  9. Removed dispatcher signal system.
  10. Completed facia repairs after removing Loco-net jacks and throttle pockets.
  11. Converted Upper-Lower Helix detector lights to VT-5 Occupancy detectors and Arduino Mega. [May-Oct 2023]. Detectors installed and connected to test and external display panels. Software development complete. Connect to the signal system in August. Connect to the Staging auto-throw protection in Sep. Installed new external display panel in Oct.