There are six hidden staging tracks serving the Louisiana Central.\u00a0 Since the tracks are concealed from normal viewing, I decided to use optical detectors at each track to determine occupancy and the locations of trains.\u00a0 Typically each track has two or three detectors near its end, and one at the entrance marking the fouling point.<\/p>\n
Two of those staging tracks are in Monterey, one each for the IC and the T&P.\u00a0 This weekend I completed the wiring for the photo-transistors and infrared (IR) LEDs, and their connections to the circuit board serving this area.\u00a0 The fascia panel with the indicators isn’t built yet, so I soldered a couple leads to a red LED indicator and temporarily jumped it across the various output terminals for testing.\u00a0 I’m happy to report that all the detectors worked perfectly without a single adjustment necessary.\u00a0 This is somewhat a milestone in the electrical\/electronics portion of the layout construction.\u00a0 There are two more circuit boards over at the Willis side to handle the rest of the staging tracks.\u00a0 I’ve got most of the photo-transistors already wired, but I need to get all the IR LEDs installed.\u00a0 Benchwork for the Spencer logging operation can’t proceed until that work is done as most of the staging track is below that, and I want the system complete and operational before starting this new benchwork.<\/p>\n
I had a busy weekend working on the layout.\u00a0 In addition to the above, Wayne and I got the remainder of the sub-roadbed installed in East Monterey (not an official designation).\u00a0 This area is around the corner from Monterey itself and will support the mainline entering town as well as a couple businesses.<\/p>\n
I also got some roadbed laid near the end of the Monterey yard and I took care of a half dozen little tasks that I’d been putting off.\u00a0 Overall, a good weekend.<\/p>\n
Finally, my scheduled visit by a guest from Florida was cancelled due to some family health issues, but I got a semi-surprise visit instead from a co-worker, Van Thomas.\u00a0 Van has been hearing about my construction for the past couple years and he decided to come over to see what this was all about first hand.\u00a0 I think he enjoyed the visit, despite the hot and heavy construction going on during his stay.<\/p>\n
-Jack<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are six hidden staging tracks serving the Louisiana Central.\u00a0 Since the tracks are concealed from normal viewing, I decided to use optical detectors at each track to determine occupancy and the locations of trains.\u00a0 Typically each track has two … Continue reading