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. Rollout of Routing projects.

    2. A. Develop control and panel plans for CR-CS-RI. [11/2024]

    - Castle Rock will have the following panels.

    Castle Rock - Full track panel – Right Central

    11 toggle Push Buttons (Red).

    Castle Rock North – Left Side

    4 toggle Push Buttons - all duplicates (Red).

    Castle Rock and Colorado Springs will have a notification system to allow

    for communications between Castle Rock engineer and

    Colorado Springs Yard master.

    - Colorado Springs and Rock Island will have the following panels.

    CS North panel – left side – 8 toggle PBs.

    CS Main panel - 17 toggle PBs.

    CS South panel – right side – 10 toggle PBs.

    Hon3 panel – 8 PBs - Location TBD

    RI panel – 3 toggle PBs and 6 route PBs.

    - Schedule for Castle Rock and Colorado Springs project.

    CR-CS-RI design underway now [11/2024].

    Ordering parts.

    CR panel at printer now.

    CS-RI-Hon3 panel under development now.

    CS-RI Paper Prototype [12/2024 or 1/2025].

    CR-CS-RI-Hon3 panels and code design [12/2024].

    Colorado Springs and Castle Rock will be on same controller

    located in Colorado Springs.

    CR-CS-RI-Hon3 installation [2-3/2025].

    - Castle Rock and Colorado Springs will be able to control the CR-1

    turnout (start of the dog bone to Denver). This will allow for

    both Ops and general operation of trains.

    B. Define architecture of routing system across layout. [1/2025]

    C. Continue investigating Arduino code automation tools. [1/2025]

  2. Complete materials and training for San Bernardino routes project. [2024]

Projects Completed (2024):

  1. Completed 2024-2025 budget estimates for future routing projects. [8/2024]
  2. Installed Victorville routing system. [8/2024]
  3. Completed life-time purchase of 37 i2c expander boards and green panel LEDs.
  4. Installed upgraded routing system in San Bernardino. [7-8/2024]
  5. Installed crossing gates and signals on N-Scale [6/2024]
  6. Installed crossing gates and signals on HO layout at Cargill. [6-7/2024]
  7. Completed building Arduino code for Victorville. [7/2024]
  8. Merged three Mega’s in San Bernardino (Blue, Orange, Green). [6/2024]
  9. Developed new Panels and Routes for Victorville. Build off La Junta controller. [6/2024]
  10. Completed turnout, track and panel changes in Castle Rock. [6/2024]
  11. 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]
  12. Completed building backend automation tools to allow easy addressing of the i2c expander boards. [6/2024]
  13. Completed Phase 1 of Routing project for La Junta and South Pueblo. [4/2024]
  14. Completed training for small team on Scalerails route design methods. [4/2024]
  15. Completed prototype of i2c expander boards with Arduino Mega. [4/2024]
  16. Completed Arduino naming standards for variables and constructs. [4/2024]
  17. Completed Imperial Springs. [5/2024]

Major Projects (2025):

  1. Continue rollout of Route controls for remaining areas.

    2. Colorado Springs and Pueblo. [4/2025]

    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