Mar 7, 2011

More link updates, and DCC purchase

Well, I've finally made up my mind and turned the funs from my old Lionel trains into a new
DigiTrax DCC system.

This will include radio throttles, and also a number of PSX circuit breakers.  I've got a bit of work to do to install it, although about 90% of the wiring from the Keller OnBoard system will be usable without changes (which was my intent from the beginning). 

And... decoder installs.  I purchased 10-pack of Digitrax DH123 of these, simple but (as I understand it) reliable.

And on the photo links... I'm still updating.  I think I've done about 300-400 links, but there's a still a lot to do.  It's not bad work, but it will take time.



Feb 21, 2011

Links gettin' done

OK, I've gotten thru the first 80 links, and updated them (of, oh, at least a thousand or two!).  This just might take a while....

Check out my site at Rio Grande Southern info.

Updating links

If you haven't noticed by now, MANY of my photo links at to the PhotosWest collection at the Denver Public Library, which is a wonderful collection.  In the last couple of weeks, they've updated their digital collection and added some great new features.

However, they've also changed the way public URLs are created, in a way that I can't easiliy convert.  So, I've started the process of working thru the several thousand links I have, find the new photos, and updating the URLs.  This will not be a short project, but I will get it done eventually.

Thanks for your patience.

Jan 25, 2011

On to fund-raising for DigiTrax

OK, after a lot of research and hearing from numerous friends, I've made my decision to go w/
DigiTrax for my DCC system.  Yes, I know all about the benefits of NCE, and at the end of the day they're both excellent systems.  For my particular situation, I decided DigiTrax's architecture and design was a slightly better fit.

Next step - raising some funds to pay for it!  I've decided to sell most of my old Lionel trains - they're all on eBay now.  Hopefully they'll raise enough to at least get started.  It's a little bittersweet, as there's a lot of memories here, but - as we usually say when we're cleaning - we'll hang on the memories but get rid of (most of) the stuff.

On to DCC!

Jan 9, 2011

In a decaling mood -

So, after lots of research, I sort of decide DigiTrax is probably the way to go for a DCC system, but then a bunch of other friends weigh in for NCE.  I'm going to have to dig out all my O-27 Lionel stuff and put them up on eBay to raise funds, so there's no rush I suppose.  More researching...

In the meantime, I decided to work on decaling a number of hoppers I've had sitting around.  I managed to get them all painted before the cold weather set in, and this week found myself in a mood to start decaling them.  Modeling a freelance (proto-lance?) version of the RGS is fun, but it does lead to lots of custom decaling of std-gauge equipment.  But it'll be a nice hopper fleet when I'm done. 

This week - a set of 10 Accurail 55-ton composite hoppers lettered for the RGS, another 4 34' steel hoppers lettered for the D&RGW, and 4 more 34' steel lettered for the SP.  They'll join a couple steel RGS hoppers, and some C&S steel hoppers I finished earlier.

I also got some minor updates posted on the website; there's more updates waiting than I have time for, and w/ my new job I don't have the ability to work on that during breaks in the early morning anymore.  And at home... somehow spending time on the computer usually doesn't appeal so much.  But, the updates are coming, just more slowly these days.