Working on the Railroad

7/24/15
Last Updated: 1/28/16

After much wood working to get to this point, there's still a lot to do before the real "modeling" can begin. The lower deck railroad rails has only been a main focus because I cannot permanently mount the top deck until its ready. Once the top deck is installed the rails will be largely inaccessible. 

For this reason I decided to install wooden round stock as guard rails so if there is ever a problem with the trains, it would be much less likely they would fall to the floor. The rails also needed a base of ballast because I would be difficult to reach in later for scenery.

9/16/15

Once the lower deck rails were installed, I fixed in place the top deck. I drilled and soldered in the feeder wires for the rails before permanently fixing the top deck because access would be impossible in most spots.

After the deck was fastened I started drilling access holes and installing bus wires directly under the lower deck rails. Because of the complex automated control of the module using infrared and other voltage controls I decided against DCC Systems for now. I did however, install the wires (14awg) in a way that would allow one connection and I could run DCC equipment. 

This is the main controler (ArduinoUNO) with a relay shield. Because only one relay was needed for the fairly simple lower deck train controls, I desoldered the other three relays from the Arduino and they will operate in isolation.

10/15/15

After all of this infrastructure for the upper and lower deck rails were completed, next power supply had to be installed. Because I wanted the trains isolated from main power supply for voltage drop reasons I decided to just use a stand alone MRC 15V transformer. For main power I am using a PC 450 watt power supply.

10/21/15

After everything was connected to AC power in via a MRC1300 transformer and had some trouble I found the coil was faulty and it was replaced with an old Aurora 14v DC powerpack as a temporary solution to keeping the project moving forward.



MBTA GreenLine Train

 

08/01/15

 

 

MBTA Green Line Train

 

 

 

 

The next step in this extensive build will be the base work for the future MBTA Green line rail system that will traverse the new module. I have lived around Boston my whole life and it was only a thought but after my trip in the fall to Amsterdam, I was inspired by the GVB system and made me take a second look at the modeling possibilities I had right in front of me. The MBTA's Green line. Because the track is set into the city streets, this part has to be laid out and installed before the top deck is permanently fixed. Because this requires cutting completely through the 1/4" base, it had to be done half and half so I did not lose the close tolerances needed for this to work effectively and also be realistic as possible.

 

Starting to Take Shape

 

5/15/15 

 

 

Now that I've been able figure out just how much space I can use, a frame has been assembled and the deck has been cut to size its time to start the fun part. Fitting models and planning infrastructure. I used a large sheet of paper to make erasing changes easier till I find a plan I'm happy with then transferred some rough street and sidewalk limits to the deck using a pencil. Many times in the past I've used a thin micron pen or sharpie to do planning but that can make it confusing later when cutting and easier to make mistakes. I've found it easiest to just run over only the line you want to cut with a marker one at a time so that you can see it better. The smaller structures are very easy to move around and modify to fit in the spaces available once streets and rails are in but the new larger structures I've acquired, I feel its best to put them together with tape and try to see where they can fit.

 

    In order to fugure where I stand with available space for the deck I needed to make cuts and install the lower deck for the lower train level. Once that part was cut and glued in place along the front I installed cork and rail because it would be difficult to install it once the deck was fixed to the frame.

 

Once I was happy with the rail placement on the part of the lower deck that would be visible, I started on the 75% of the rail you will never see! Its a bit of extra work but it will allow me to give the effect of more realistically longer trains in a small space. The only other option (which I also tested) was two reversing units and I could only fit 1 modern era locomotive and two cars. 

 

 

 

I have also kept working on the future T Green line train rails which will need to go in before the top deck can get fixed in place.

 

 

 

 

 

A New beginning!

 

3/16/15

 

A New Beginning with Lessons Learned!

 

After moving the modules around for 3 years including 3 model shows and moving residences 3 times last year they have held up well. The original built modules were well built but there was definitely room to improve on areas that we had difficulty with. I have decided rather then keep making extensive structural upgrades, I would start fresh and design a whole new project.

 

The main thing that is noticeable is that the new project will consist of one large module, rather then a few smaller ones. The reason for this was although the modules were designed to work together, the more features that were added, (streets, rails, turns) the more the joints effected reliable operation. The old modules were around 3' long and 2.5' deep, and were designed for easy transport. The new single module will be 8' long and 2.75' deep.

 

 

In addition to the size changes I decided to change from a MDF Fiberboard to a double sided plywood to help with how it is effected by the construction adhesives and temperatures or moisture.

 

 

 

Once the plywood was cut to size and temporarily attached to the frame, I used a large piece of paper I purchased from the local craft store to lay out the new design. I find it easier to do this because you can change the lines with an eraser rather then having crossed out lines that can be confusing when its time to make cuts. It is also handy for remarking limits that are covered by paint or scenery.

 

Due to the size of the new module, to make transport easier I added 2 removable handles on each side. I also limited it to 8' because of the ability to fit in a standard 8' pickup bed or trailer. check back soon for updates!

Out with the old, In with the New

 

3/09/15

 

 

Out with the old, in with the new!

 

 The spring season is here and change is on the way. I learned yet again, many lessons including its best not to rush construction of new modules before a model show because you won't get the quality you are after. I gave this all a lot of thought and drew up many sketches and I have come to a decision. I am going to completely dismantle all of the modules, and save what I can. I am starting the redesign from the ground up. It will include a whole new base system and rather then being a few separate modules, it will be just one. Incorporating everything that I have learned to redesign the whole process and some new products and ideas.

 

 

Here you can see some of the last pictures I took of the modules. They were good to me and I was happy with them. My ideas were just growing and I was running out of room to grow. The more I added, the more operations became less reliable.

  

 

Enjoy the pictures, by the time you will be reading this it will be nothing but a memory and what can be salvaged many find its way on to the new Boston Module Project.

 

I plan to take many more pictures and videos during the building of the new Module so that I can share the lessons I've learned with you and hope you will find interest in Faller Car System, Model railroading or animation of model scenes!

Springfield MA Model Show 2015

 

3/01/15

 

 

I attended the 2015 Model show in January in Springfield MA and it was a great time as usual! Got to see great friends we only see once a year.




 

As usual I was rushed to get the modules finished in addition to the third module I incorporated to this years display. All though it was much unfinished by my standards I hope to achieve, it came out okay to display. Here you can see the almost completed MBTA bus rounding a corner to a side street. (Photo Andy Madden)

 

I experimented with installing in-street track for the future Green Line extension and have learned some lessons that I can use to correct problems I had with the Faller car system passing over the rails. The display was shared in the 1-87 vehicle club area during the show. You can visit their website at 1-87vehicles.org where you can see these and many other great pictures from the show.

 

 

( Photo by Andy Madden )

Almost But Not Quite...

 

1/10/15

 

 

Just A Learning Experience

 

 

 

After moving twice and going though a lot of life changes I am ready to get back to modeling and Springfield is approaching! I have decided to add two new modules to the display including changes to city streets and even a functioning Green line train from Boston's Fenway Area. I picked up the wood I needed to start and I am getting to work..

 

 

The first step in updating the project is expanding the existing modules from 2' to 2.75'. I found no good way of expanding them so I decided to make new bases for the old modules and reattach the old scenery decks. The process of removing the scenery was tedious but only required partial disassembly.

 

 



 

I used some of the same ideas I had from the original project that worked well including cutting and drilling access holes for wiring and anything else before I attached the scenery decks. Here you can also see the tunnel portals cut for the new underground subway station.

 

 

Once two module bases were completed they were joined using sheetrock screws while the decks are attached making sure that surfaces mated properly for road and rail. Small scrap pieces were also used for bracing to prevent damage to the main support structure.

Miniatur Wunderland!

 

11/5/14

 

 

Miniatur Wunderland Visit!

 

 

In Front of Miniatur Wonderland, Hamburg Germany! Definitely my favorite place I have ever gotten to visit. I had an amazing time in Germany, and The Netherlands with my amazing girlfriend Morgan who made this trip possible!

 

 

Here is just a couple of the hundreds of pictures and videos I took during my day at Miniatur Wunderland. I cannot wait to go back!

 

 

 

Sprinter Van

9/2/14

 

Sprinter Van FedEx

 

 

Here you can see the Faller chassis with all new wiring system as well as DC-Car DC05-SI decoder installed. Featuring headlights, blinkers, hazard indicators, taillights, brake lights, and side indicators. It is my first vehicle fitted with a quick 2Pin connector for a 3.6 Volt LiPo Battery.

 

 

This is all the basic motor and reed switch controls wired up before installing DC05-SI Decoder.

* UPDATES *

7/6/14

Click on MBTA Transit Bus Below for the latest update!

I have added some progress photos as well as my first video to make it easier to understand!

 

 

 

 

U-Haul Truck "Stands-Still Model"

U-Haul Truck "Stands-Still Model"

I have been so busy lately I have not had much time to build extensive projects but on a Sunday afternoon I figured I could start this one. It is a simple non moving vehicle that I plan to add running lights, headlights, hazard lights, and possibly sound. At the moment it will be more of a scenery piece.

I added an 8 function switch from radio shack and a charging socket for Faller vehicles. I was just going to use a 5v hard wire but I have 2.4v NiMh batteries and they should last a while with no motor to run. This way I can move it around free from wiring. The switch will be main power on pin 1. Once all the lighting is done it will be easy to switch over to Faller or DC-Car if I so decide.

Boston MBTA Transit Bus

Boston MBTA Transit Bus

This is the first vehicle I started experimenting with and originally was built with an Arduino micro and Infrared proximity sensors for distance control. It also had 9v power as well. It is a OEM Faller modified chassis with the body removed.   

I found the Arduino was very effective but the 9v battery was too heavy and it caused high load on the dc motor. The Arduino micro offers many possibilities,  however it's size is still not ideal for anything in 1:87 besides buses and trucks.

I decided to start testing the DC-Car dc05si decoders in this vehicle.

Here you can see the scratch built shell for the bus test fitted and wired decoder installed.

The bus now uses 2.4v Faller batteries and a new Reed switch. I will update this post soon. I have started to decal the body and getting ready for paint. 

After the paint and decals are applied I started adding the lighting. After making up each 0402 LED and installing it I like to test it with a breadboard and 2.6v with a resistor.

After test fitting the LEDs for proper location, I add a drop of superglue to hold the light and wires in place.

I use small zip ties and electrical tape to keep things organized during construction. When wiring with these vehicles I find it easier to wire from the bottom up so you don't have to work around what you've already installed.

Hopeing that this will work, I am using a slightly larger Guage wire as a bus wire that the smaller leads for the LEDs are soldiered to for connecting to the DC-Car chip so I don't have to soldier so many times to the chip and risk damaging it.

Here you can see all of the wiring and lighting completed (may add a few more lights later) but you get the idea. After months of little work here and there I finally was about to get the bus to respond to infrared commands using a DC-Car dc05-si chip. I am happy with its response and quality. I do note how the lighting add the bench effects commands but I expected this. 

This is a quick video shot on the work bench of the basic functions being tested. It still needs windows and detailing but this gives you a good idea of where this project is going.