Aug 29-30 Weekend

Rich and I got there a little after 9AM. We started checking the signals after getting out the Burlington 4180. We found that most of the 1.5" route working well. We did find that the track under twin bridges had some bond wire problems. We checked the inch route and found most signals working OK. We repaired as much as we could.

I started removing the control board from the other crossing signal and it was very corroded and had shorted transistors as well as the first board. I diagramed the wiring. I had traced the wires in the ground last weekend and removed the corssing signal from its base to follow the wiring from the ground into the pole base.

It turns out the signals are wired in an unorthodox manner and after diagraming the inside building wiring I realized that it should be rewired. Also it occured to me that a crossing bell should be added and talked to Rich about adding an outdoor speaker and using an electronic crossing bell circuit to the installation while we are repairing it.

I have ordered replacement circuit boards for the crossing lights that use LEDs instead of the lamps we presently are wired for. The boards arrived and I have assembled them. A call to Tommy scored a set of red 10mm LEDs - two for each signal to replace the auto tail lamps presently used. I am wiring them to new wire to snake through the signal arms to the base and connect to the new circuit boards. After talking to Rich we decided that maybe we should relocate the flasher modules to the building to cut down on corrosion and make it more easily serviceable. We can mount the circuits on the wall next to the track detector and just run the connections for the LEDs to the crossing signals. We will put the sound board next to the flashers so it will be all together and easy to fix near our workbench.

I am waiting for the bell cards to arrive. The cards will be put on the crossing light area and the other into the clubs F7 for a bell. I thought I might as well order two and put them together as the postage is the big factor in getting them.

Rich and I have talked and we decided to mainly work on getting the club equipment - locos and cars patched up during the meet. We have spent our time working on signals so much that we have not been keeping up with the wear and tear on the equipment.

Sunday was a Public Run Day for the club and I got started just before 11AM. I usually work as Stationmaster loading the trains and greeting the guests. Lately I have been working as a Conductor on the trains as we seem to lack people that are willing to do this task. Today I worked for three different engineers and got in about 20 rides on the system. My final run was at about 3:00 and I got my camera and started to photograph folks and video them for the next hour then I was called back to work as a conductor on Stuart's train. I did have three ries and the last one I took video as we went along and came up with a nice video that really gives you the experience of riding our trains. Goto http://stcroixrr.org/ to see the videos and photos that I have done. I had lunch at the SCRR and I have to admit we have a good food service operation. The mushroom swiss hamburger with sauted mushrooms and onions is a super deal and has a fantastic taste. Our chef is Jack Anderson and he really loves to cook good food.