Westside C-25 with WOWSound v3 decoder

Monday I replaced the existing Tsunami decoder and anemic speaker with a TCS WOWSound v3 decoder and a new so-called "sugar-cube" speaker.  I replaced the decoder not because there was a problem with it, but because the C-25 has a very narrow tender, and I needed to install a Keep-Alive with the decoder.  I was not satisfied with the sound that I was able to get from the existing speaker, so I obtained one of the very small "sugar-cube" speakers from the Streamlined Backshop.  This is a very small speaker, literally about the size of a sugar cube.  I installed a 13 x 18 mm speaker, which had a 1 watt power handling capacity.  There was plenty of room, even in this narrow tender, for the decoder, the KA2 Keep-Alive, and the speaker.  Once the installation was complete, I tested the locomotive on the layout, and was amazed by the quality and volume of the sound.  I have uploaded a video of the C-25 as it is turned on the turntable and readied for service on the layout.  This video also shows the operation of the turntable using the PTC III controller.

D&RGW C-25 375 entering the turntable in the Durango Yard.  The locomotive is a Westside Models brass import, equipped with a TCS WOWSound v3 decoder with Keep-Alive, and a sugar-cube speaker.

D&RGW C-25 375 being turned on the Durango turntable.  The turntable is controlled by a PTC III turntable controller.

D&RGW C-25 375 has been turned on the turntable, and is lined up for the service track.  It will now readied for service by filling its sand dome, and topping off its load of coal.

The C-25 is positioned at the sand house to receive a fresh load of sand in its sand dome.

The C-25 has topped off its load of sand, and is now ready to pull forward to the coaling tower to top off its coal load.

K-28 476 with a TCS WOWSound decoder

I just installed a Train Control Systems WOWSound decoder into my Sunset Models K-28 476. The decoder includes a KA2 Keep-Alive circuit board, which allows the locomotive to continue to run over dirty track, or other intermittent electrical problems.  The decoder has a wire connection to a sound cam, allowing the chuff to be synchronized with driver rotation.  The decoder was set to use the auto-chuff by default, so I checked the TCS website for details on how to enable the cam wire. 

All axles on the locomotive, and two of the four on the tender, were too tight in gauge, causing the locomotive to "bump" its way across properly gauged turnouts.  Therefore, I had to disassemble the locomotive and re-gauge the wheelsets to ensure proper operation.  The result of the work is a locomotive that runs well at low speeds, and has an interesting selection of bells and whistles.

I've uploaded a still photo and a video of the locomotive in action.  The video is only about 1:24 in length.  Enjoy!

D&RGW K-28 476 crossing the turnout leading to the Durango Stock Pens.  The locomotive is a Sunset Models K-28 with a TCS WOWSound decoder with Keep-Alive.  The locomotive has a headlight installed, but still needs a crew.

Durango Turntable Is Fully Operational!

The turntable for the Durango Yard has been installed since track was installed.  However, it had not been powered, or indexed for the new track locations.  This project has now been completed, and trains are able to be turned on the table.  I relocated the New York Railway Supply (http://nyrs.com/) indexing system from my old layout.  I constructed a housing for the keypad, which is located on the fascia near the turntable itself. The controller is mounted on a shelf located under the layout.  This allows access to the controller for re-indexing when necessary.

Westside Model Company D&RGW C-25 375 being turned on the completed NYRS turntable in Durango.  The model has added details, and was painted, lettered and weathered by the author.  The C-25 has a Tsunami DCC decoder and working headlight.  It has just emerged from stall 10 in the Durango Roundhouse.

Another view of D&RGW C-25 375 on the Durango turntable.  Note that the roundhouse roof needs to be secured!

The PTC Model III turntable controller as installed on the author's D&RGW and RGS layout.  The keypad is located in an angled housing, making it easier to read while standing in the aisle, and the controller unit sits on a shelf under Durango.  Incidentally, the shelf also houses the NCE DCC system and power supply.

Placerville Warehouse A

I recently obtained a kit for the Old Placeville Warehouse A, which was located along the Rio Grade Southern right-of-way, behind the Placerville Depot.  This kit is a laser-cut kit sold by Narrow Gauge Colorado.  The kit consists of laser board, cardstock, plywood and basswood parts.  Unfortunately, my kit did not come with instructions, but did have a mini-CD with photos and PDF renderings of the construction of Warehouse B.  The only time that I felt the instructions were required was in the layering of the parts for the windows, which are the same (or similar) in the two buildings.  The rest of the construction was very intuitive, and all parts fit together perfectly.

I was able to find a single color photograph (Dorman, R. D.  1999.  Rocky Mountain Railroads:  The Rio Grande Southern I.  R.D. Publications, Santa Fe, NM) in which the corner of the warehouse was shown.   I first painted the model with Rust-O-Leum Flat Black, followed by Rusty Metal Primer, which gives a nice rusty color.  The doors, windows and trim were painted using Rust-O-Leum Spruce Green and Clean Metal Primer.  The color of the doors and trim was a guess, but I find it to be a pleasing combination.  Following assembly, the building was weathered using one of my favorite products - Pan Pastels!

Old Placerville Warehouse A.  This is the trackside of the warehouse, located along the RGS right-of-way.

The side and end view of the Old Placerville Warehouse A.

Old Placerville Warehouse A.  Both ends are identical.  The back side of the warehouse has no doors.