A few short videos on my Nickel Plate Road "Bluebirds" testing on our Keystone Midland Model Railrod Club layout. The City of Cleveland sleeper has a newly installed lighted drumhead. A few minor problems with some cars, but that is what testing is for anyway. Enjoy.

I normally pride myself in solving problems that pop up like little gremlins on my railroad. Recently completing a reefer with all those little plastic parts that seem to disappear by jumping off the model and/or the surface you're working on, I ran into a problem I have never seen before.

I had two diesels recently converted to DCC w/sound. That part works. When I got them back from the shop that did the installation, several parts were missing and/or broken. Of course, we went through the "dance" of them being already in that condition and "it was not my fault." With a partial refund, I declared it a "wash" and opted to just replace the parts myself. There's the rub.

Engines and switching lists are waiting for the crews to report tomorrow for my first railroad operating session. Snacks and drinks are ready too. Five crews will work a fast clock from 1pm to 4pm switching cars and making up trains at both ends of the layout. This "shakedown" will help point out any problem areas to be fixed. After that, I plan on having monthly sessions with my friends to run trains and have fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h96s9jCvxU&feature=youtu.be

Here is a link from a FB group I am a member of.

Getting ready to leave Sunday for a tour of tourist railroads in the Northeast. Road Scholar (formerly ElderHostel) is starting in Hartford and is providing arrangements for transportation; accommodations; and a week long rail event. We'll be returning in late July after combining a mini vacation with the tour. Pictures to be posted later.

BTW, I'm "mapping out" a sequence of photos and written dialog for the train detection article to be finished by the beginning of August. We'll keep you posted. 

Have a great and safe summer!

I need assistance with two Walthers H10-44's that I'd like to convert to DCC with sound. Does anyone have step-by-step instructions/recommendations for a decoder installation or can anyone recommend someone or a shop that can do the conversions for me?

Thanks.

Sorry - lost the original sound and had to do a remake. Here are the videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXF8iAgRv2Q&feature=share

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PctXnm6eNs&feature=share

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI3Dhj6e1IY&feature=share

First attempt at video of my layout. 3 parts on YouTube.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amzr4zIvSAA

www.youtube.com/watch?v=19A5hDiHx6g

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXB-b5qXZKw

I hope to have a shakedown operating session in June and a more completed scenery of the West End by that time. Hopefully, we'll be able to produce another video at that time. Enjoy.