Would you like to build your own version of the automated, Arduino-based throttle I recently built for Chuck’s layout? Well, read on!
Author: Jeff Faust
Introducing the Library Project
We toured the Central Library’s new Bausch & Lomb building on its opening day, back in 1997. Being the proud parents of a toddler, we naturally visited the new Children’s Center on the second floor. I noticed the glassed-in space under the stairs immediately. “Good place to put a railroad,” I thought. It took me seventeen years to turn that idle notion into reality, but here it is.
The Week Has Been Too Busy
In addition to preparing for the RIT show, I’ve been frantically soldering another throttle together for an exhibition I’m setting up on Monday, documenting Chuck’s new throttle, and doing some emergency track repair on George’s railroad. I’ll have more details on all of these things soon, so bear with me.
Update: Corrugated Curve
Four years ago, I had an upcoming show for which I needed a reverse loop module. I had one week, and a minimal budget, to build one. With limited after-hours shop time at my disposal, I decided to forego wood and experiment with corrugated cardboard instead. I’ve written about the construction of this module elsewhere. So, how’s it holding up?
Chuck’s New Throttle: Installation
As you may recall, Chuck’s new throttle was essentially functional, but needed some detail work before installation in his layout. I’m smack in the middle of fall show season, so this is a particularly bad time to get things accomplished. The morning after the Mini Maker Faire, I dragged myself out of bed early, and proceeded to attach the remaining pieces.
Soldering
As I mentioned in last week’s post, I just got a decoder into another Atlas RS-3. This is my first decoder installation since I got my new Hakko FX-888D soldering station last winter. After 30 years of working with Radio Shack pencil irons, I found myself doing enough electronics work (mostly, but not entirely, train-related) to justify the upgrade. The Hakko arrived just in time for a project with 115 individual LEDs that needed soldering together. What a difference!
Because You can’t go to germany without seeing model trains
Hackaday observes the connection between model railroading and hackerspaces. We knew that already, didn’t we?
Decoder Management for Dummies
I pop the shell off one of Dana’s Atlas SD-60Ms, remove the decoder, and clean the brush contacts, but the motor still doesn’t respond. “They ran great the last time I had ’em out,” he had told me, “but I can’t get ’em to move now. Can you take a look?”
If you’ve been into DCC for a while, you can probably guess where this is headed, but don’t shout out your answer just yet. Instead, let’s take this opportunity to explore JMRI—Java Model Railroad Interface. (more…)
Furniture Railroads 