Test by Gary
This is a test of some system changes.

OERM Signals Saturday -- 9/8/2006 by   Gene
This Saturday is our usual second Saturday work session.

The principal work to be done is the selecting and pulling in of wires to connect the A and B cases at Mapes. The pole next to the main (A) case will be removed after we have the wires transferred to the underground conduit. My intention is to use existing cable from stock. Left over cable from the Alpine to Middleton could be used, but I think we have cable that would be less useful for future installations. We need four No. 6 (or two 6 and two 10 or 12) and twelve or more No. 14 or 16 wires across the street. We also need four number 6 wires (or two 6 and two 10 or 12) from the B case to the battery box. In all cases we need to pull in a rope for any future wires that need to be pulled. It would be easiest to use stranded wire. Solid can be used across the street, but would be more difficult to pull. I will have to leave by about 3 PM due to other commitments.

The Signals / Sam's bucket truck needs to be moved within the next week. It will cost about $300 - probably not deductible for tax purposes. Sam indicates he will pay for it, but I hope there is standby money in case it is needed. I already have $100. Mike Stevenson's son can move it and he knows the location of the truck, but he will not be available on the week end. Other tow companys are less expensive, but may take longer due to having to find the location. (The tow companies charge by the hour. )

OERM Operations Radio Class by Gene
Per George Huett, the first of several radio procedure and informational classes will be held on the second Sunday of September. Remember our change over date for using AAR Channel 40 is still scheduled for December 1, 2006. Feel free to ask questions. Operations and Non-operations people are invited to attend. No test---promise.

Remember that OERM Signals will still use channel 1 (151.625 MHz) for signals communication. It is best if there is more than one radio at a work site near the track, one radio should be listening to Operations so there will be no suprises. If working with "track and time", one radio must be kept tuned to Operations. We do not yet have information on channel references for channel 40 on Opeations HTs.

OERM 11th St Xing by Gene
OERM Signal Gang,

Last week, an operator informed me that 11th St. Xing was working only on the island. The previous weekend, the crossing was working normally. There had been a power failure recently.

I checked the crossing and every thing was working properly and the batteries were fully charged. My assessment is that the power failure lasted longer than the capacity of the battery at the approach track circuit transmitter (the track circuit receiver battery is new and of greater capacity, so it is not likely to be the one that lost power). On Saturday the charger at the transmitter had not yet brought the battery back to charge to insure complete transmitter operation. By Sunday the battery was up and we had normal operation. This is conjecture and based on what an operator told me.

Since operations approaches all crossings prepared to stop, it was only necessary to stop at the curb line and wait for the gates to fully come down. They turned this into a training exercise.

If signals had been there it could have been found by finding:
1.) the 11TP relay down with no train present,
2.) the XSR picked up, and
3.) the timer having run it's full 2 1/2 minutes (specified time for this crossing only).
Knowing that the battery at the receiver was new with a stronger charge, it could have been verified by measuring the voltage at the transmitter battery terminals. If the voltage was too low to operate the transmitter, the battery could have been disconnected for the duration of the days operation and the battery reconnected to charge at the end of the day. The battery at the receiver could then be checked for proper voltage (this can be checked at this crossing by measuring the voltage on the 11TP control terminals if it is up, saving a trip to the north case). An improvement will be to install a bigger battery and a higher capacity charger. If a lead acid battery is used, the battery box will have to be washed out with a dilute vinegar solution to avoid premature failure of the new battery by poisoning from the remnants of the alkaline environment from the present nicad battery.

Since I will be out of state until late August, anyone who comes out to the museum should be alert to comments from the operators and make a battery check at the 11th St crossing.

Signal Work - Saturday July 22nd by Gene
Active Signal Gang:

This Saturday July 22nd, there are several jobs that can be done. If you work on inspections or other work on the demonstration railroad, please log it on the "Hours of Service" sheet in the pump house. Be sure to use the sheet for the current month.
1. Monthly inspections for Alpine, Members' and Central crossings. The quarterly inspections for these should also be done. Use the check off sheets and Allen's printed instructions (I believe there is a copy in the Members' Crossing case).
2. The LB for the left gate (south west quadrant) needs to have the hole drilled and installed. This can wait as none of our work will now delay the track work or paving.
3. There is work on the hyrailer truck lights (see Mike or Allen).
4. It may be possible to tow the bucket truck to the museum (see Mike).
5. possible other things for the Signal Garden and Signal Bridge etc.

The highest priority is moving the bucket truck followed by the Monthly Crossing Inspections.

It will be hot, keep as cool as possible and be careful when working in the sun.

Most likely I will not be at the museum this Saturday and will likely not be back until August 19. Mike and Allen will be in charge with Ron in charge of His projects.