Train OrderOur mission is to promote education and fellowship through the sharing of information and the promotion of the world's greatest hobby. - Model Railroading.
From the Editor
This month's feature is Part 1 of a two part article by Ray Huber on making working signals from very inexpensive components. Ray puts forth in this article, several great ideas for signals. I can't imagine what could be in store for Part 2 which will be in our April edition!
As always, we need articles for future editions of the Train Order! Please submit any article to div1ncr@outlook.com. Beyond full articles, please tell us what you are up to at div1ncr@outlook.com!! Even if it's just a photo of your layout or something you saw or are trying for the first time. Sharing is the best way to spread the hobby and ideas.
View from the Cab
If you were not there, you missed a VERY full meeting last month!!! We had more participation than we had seen in some time and IT WAS GREAT!!!
We had so many interesting things for Show and Tell and the Rip Track, we had to break out extra tables. We were lucky that due to some
construction we met in the gym and we had the extra space! I want to Thank all the participants for bringing items to share and want to challenge those who did not
to bring something last month to bring something THIS MONTH!
On another subject, I cannot believe how quick things can change! This month has been very busy with Train Shows, open houses, and Operating Sessions but the Schedule ahead looks even busier! It's been so long, since we had so much to do, that I am wondering how we kept up with it before COVID. This month I visited the Saline Train Show along with the Toledo Toy and Train Show. There is also the Great Train Expo in Novi, Michigan which occurs on Saturday and Sunday (26th-27th) the day after our meeting. Check out the NCR Event Schedule for a full listing of shows in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.
Our neighbor to the North, the Motor City Division (NCR Division 6), will be hosting a new (1st Annual) Model Railroad Sale on April 24, 2022 at the Monaghan Banquet Center in Livonia Michigan. This is a big change for Division 6, as in the past they hosted a non-sale event with layouts and clinics only. This show will be significantly larger and include vendors, door prizes and food service. Check out the flier under Upcoming Events below.
The BIG SHOW of the year will be the Tri-Regional Convention May 18-22 in Indianapolis IN. This show includes a three-day train show!! Recent news from the NCR board indicates that registrations to the convention have been brisk and the numbers are already halfway to the goal! What does this mean to you? If you have not registered, you better get on the ball and do it soon! The Modeling with the Masters clinics have already sold out but luckily an additional class has been added. This is FAIR WARNING, if you want to be included in any of the events (and get a room at the primary venue) you better register now!
I look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting!!
Marshall Stull,
mstull@marshallstull.com
Superintendent
Clinic Corner
Greetings all! I hope that this St. Patrick's Day you found your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and weren't tricked by the leprechaun.
This month's clinic is being presented by Dave McMullian and is a special treat to Division 1.
Dave is giving us a preview of the clinic he will be presenting at Indy Junction. This will be a test run of his clinic Superdetailing Steam Locomotives, and if you've been fortunate enough to see the steam engine he detailed, "superdetail" is putting it mildly. If you haven't had the opportunity, then you'll definitely want to make this meeting. He will have the model on a carousel, large plans, and some other related items to display during the meeting.
We hope to see you there!
Brian Burr,
Assistant Superintendent
March 25th Meeting Agenda
Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect at the meeting:
- Rip Track Table - Have items you want to sell or just give away? Put them on the table
- Business - updates and latest happenings
- Clinic - Superdetailing Steam Locomotives
- Show and Tell - Bring your latest project, photos, new purchase, tool, whatever!
- Closing Remarks - Announcements and Open Discussion Points
NEW DWARF SIGNAL - PART ONE
by Ray Huber, Division One - NCR, NMRA
What in the world is a DWARF signal? I guess the best way to answer that is to say it's smaller than a standard Railroad signal on a high mast. Generally, they are mounted close to ground level and at times between two tracks. Hence they are dwarfed compared to the high mast signals.
What you are about to see all started with an interest in determining track occupancy. I soon realized I needed some way to indicate that occupancy. How do the real railroads do it, with signals of course! This started me thinking about a home built signal which became more complicated than I wanted. One evening while visiting a friends layout, I saw one of the Bachman signals you see in the package shown below on his layout. Granted, it was nonoperational, but the light went on and I had the solution to my quest.
NOTE: Before you drill out the signal head, check the fit with a LED that you plan on using. Some LED's have a shoulder at the rear of the device and some
do not. If yours does not, you may not need to drill out the hole. If it does, some drilling may be required or remove the shoulder.
If you follow the steps shown below, you can make a very simple, cheap and more importantly, creditable signal. I've used the whole system (high mast - no cutting) all the way down to (just the base - no pedestal). The combinations are many!
PROTECTING THE TOLEDO & MAUMEE VALLEY
Different combinations using the basic Bachmann signal as a starting point.
Now that we have a working dwarf signal, let's stop and take a look at why I really put this presentation together. Not to long ago, I came upon an opportunity to produce a cautionary signal to warn of a blind block signal ahead. In other words, the block signal was hidden on the other side of a tunnel area and any on coming train could not see the aspect of the signal. So, rather than put a signal showing a red aspect at the tunnel entrance, I decided to cause this new signal to flash yellow if the block ahead signal was in fact red. Because of the length of the tunnel, it was possible for traffic ahead to clear the block and hence cause the block signal to go green and at the same time the yellow signal would go dark (if dark - proceeded). A flashing yellow signal means approach the next block slowly and be prepared to stop!
In my mind, I wanted to create a small low to the ground signal rather than a high mast one. Additionally, I wanted the signal to be a search light type signal head with one yellow light. In other words, I wanted a dwarf signal. Looking back in time, I remember seeing and using small metal castings made to look like signal heads that were sold by the Walther's Corp. They made a double light signal head mounted on a high mast, a double light signal mounted on a short pedestal, a single light signal head mounted on a short pedestal and a ground mounted double light signal. All of these signals were made so a grain of wheat bulb would fit. To our benefit, a T-1 LED will also fit. Not sure if they are still available?
Digging through my parts box, I was able to find one single and one double light Walther's signal head. Using the single light casting, I fabricated a new signal mounted on a high pedestal, but some how it did not satisfy my expectations. Now what do I do? Well, I starting looking around and soon realized I could make a single head from a Bachmann double headed signal like the one we just looked at. Same idea, just a slight modification.
Starting with my standard two light signal, I cut off the top light. After some filing and sanding, I had a single light signal head. Mounting it on a short pedestal, some paint, an LED, I had what I was looking for, a search light Dwarf Signal.
Let's apply it! The positive and negative leads from the signal are connected to a circuit board (coming next month) and then, attached to a LM555 detector described in Feb issue of the Train Order. Note, if you don't like the flasher idea, eliminate the electronic circuit board and connect the two signal wires to the occupancy detector mentioned above. Now you have a constant yellow aspect on red or a dark signal on green. Or, forget the whole idea!
END OF PART ONE - CONT'D NEXT MONTH
Division Happenings
Here is where we post news, announcements, items for sale, free stuff, or whatever message you need to get out. Just drop an email to div1ncr@outlook.com and we will get it in the next issue.
Looking for April 2020 NMRA Magazine
Can anyone assist our fellow Black Swamp Member Ray Huber?? Ray is looking for an article from the April 2020 NMRA Magazine. If you have this issue, please drop an e-mail to
div1ncr@outlook.com. Ray does not need/want the whole magazine, it contains and article he needs some information from.
Evidently this appears to be a difficult issue to find!!
Layout Work Group
In the last few months, we have had two members step forward and ask for help on building/finishing their home layouts. There have also been members asking about local clubs
who may be allowing new members. We may have the makings of a "Layout Work Group". A Layout Work Group is a small group who agree to work together on member layouts.
Having a layout is not required, as some people want to build a layout but do not have room. Some may just want to learn/get ideas before committing to their own.
Each person agrees to help on everyone elses layout, share what they know and teach those who do not. With such a group all layouts make progress, tasks that seemed
daunting/hard get addressed and there is a certain peer pressure in the group that motivates progress on the layouts. Best of all you meet new friends and have
new experiences.
If you would like to know more and maybe get together to discuss such an arrangement, please send an e-mail to div1ncr@outlook.com with the Subject "Work Group". Make sure to include your name and if you have a layout to work on or you are volunteering time/experiance.
Free Train Magazines
At the last meeting, we had a siginificant number of back issues of Trains and other railroad magazines. These will be available again at the March 25th meeting.
THESE ARE FREE! First come, first serve!!! They will be on the Rip Track Table at 6:30PM. The end will not be
pleasant for those magazines left behind, so please dig deep and find these guys a home!!
Upcoming Events
Check out the new Event Listings page on the new NCR website!