Hands-on training and signal projects - 9:00 am to Noon and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Meet at Town Hall steps
Lunch at a local restaurant (optional) - Noon to 1:30 pm
| Class #17 | June 26, 2004 | ||
| ----- | June 12, 2004 | Extra Projects Meeting - 2nd Saturday | |
| Class #16 | May 22, 2004 | CUTOVER TESTS Some of you may have been wondering why it took so long to get the three aspects for signal 2038 cut over. It had to wait until there was sufficient time for a complete check of all involved circuits. A CUTOVER MUST NEVER BE LEFT OR DEPENDED ON UNTIL ALL FUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN PROVEN SAFE. The cut over finally was made on Saturday May 8. Tests of the completed installation showed that one wire was misconnected. ALSO the signal failed to go to lunar when a train proceeded north from the Barn 4 Lead. Gene will use this incident to show why a complete check of ALL functions of ALL circuits is required before leaving a "complete" project. We will cover what happened and the solution. |
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| ----- | May 8, 2004 | Extra Projects Meeting - 2nd Saturday | |
| Class #15 | Apr 24, 2004 | PROJECTS Only (Full Projects List) | |
| Class #14 | Mar 27, 2004 | PROJECTS Only (Full Projects List) | |
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Mar 20, 2004 | 2038 Signal Cable Pull project | Signal eNews - March 22, 2004 |
| Class #13 | Feb 28, 2004 | PROJECTS Only (Full Projects List) - primary study is now home study with questions via email or during projects. Refer to the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Signal Training Materials at the links to the right. |
Signal eNews - Feb 22, 2004 Signal eNews - March 2, 2004 Santa Fe Signals Study Materials Southern Pacific Signals Study Materials |
| Class #12 | Jan 24, 2004 | MONTHLY INSPECTIONS Monthly Inspections of all grade crossings at OERM are required by both the FRA and CA-PUC. This month we will discuss all of the details to accomplish these inspections. |
Crossing Inspection Instructions Crossing Inspection Datasheet Battery Inspection Datasheet |
| Class #11 | Dec 27, 2003 Xmas Week |
PROJECTS only | |
| Class #10 | Nov 22, 2003 | PROJECTS only -- Monthly Inspections | Project Notes |
| Class #9 |
Oct 25, 2003 | MORE ABOUT SIGNAL BATTERIES Continue discussions about the Museum Signal Batteries and update those who missed last months discussions. Also based on time and projects, we will learn about track wire bonding since the bonding of the new track at the south end of the property needs to be completed. |
Class Notes Project Notes |
| Class #8 |
Sept 27, 2003 | THE SELECTION, CARE AND FEEDING OF SIGNAL BATTERIES Mike Carpenter will be taking you through the care of signal batteries. At the museum we have found out the hard way that it is far different than sticking a battery in your car and forgetting it. Mike will explain why we use special batteries designed to be used in floating applications. How do we determine the charge rate? How do we keep water usage under control? How can you fatally damage a battery with out realizing it? What tests do we make to keep the FRA and PUC happy? |
Class Notes Project Notes |
| Class #7 |
August 23, 2003 | This class will be CROSSING CIRCUITS - Part 2 -- ATSF Xing at 4th Street. The start time will return to the usual afternoon period (1:30pm to 4:00pm) with projects in the morning from 9:00am to noon. |
Class Notes Project Notes Simplified ATSF Xing Drawing Actual ATSF Xing Drawing (page 1) |
| Class #6 |
July 26, 2003 |
SPECIAL TIME: 9:00 IN THE MORNING (work projects will be in the afternoon) SUBJECT: CROSSING CIRCUITS - Part 1 LOCATION: Town Hall WORK PROJECTS: There are several work projects on Saturday. Continuation of Signal Garden improvements, Continuation of replacement wires for the Alpine Wg-Wag. We need also to continue to dig out the banjo signal foundation and to straighten out our storage areas. There is plenty of painting for anyone who likes to paint. Let me know, It can be done either during our work sessions or another time. HELP NEEDED: We have a considerable amount of paper work and manuals that need organizing and filing. Someone with filing and organizing talents is greatly needed. The same or another person is needed to act as signals storekeeper. This need not keep you from other participation. CLASS: Due to the New Members' meeting in Town Hall in the afternoon the Signal Class will be in the morning at 9:00 AM so those who want to attend both can. We will start on crossing circuits beginning with the simplest on our property and going to the more complex. The series will include the Santa Fe crossing at 4th St. as well as motion detectors. |
Class Notes Project Notes Draft OERM Doc List Central Xing Drawing Central WITH NOTES (slow-1106K file) Alpine Xing Drawing Alpine WITH NOTES (slow-1119K file) |
| Class #5 | June 28, 2003 |
The SUBJECT will be IMPEDANCE BONDS and the
CLASS MEETING will start at 1:30pm on Saturday June 28. There will be both lecture and lab. If time permits we will have a session with an audio track circuit on the working railroad. I want each person to try adjusting the circuit and to understand how it saves on the use of insulated track joints and impedance bonds. TRACK CIRCUITS MAKE UP: There are several of you who have not yet had a chance at AC and DC track circuits. I would like to make appointments with each of you to bring you up with the class. If there are enough people who are behind we can schedule a make up class or split the class into two sections. I can provide Ohm's law instruction on an individual basis. Ohm's Law is, however, not an absolute requirement. WORK SESSION: There will be the usual work session starting at 9AM (or 8AM with special arrangement). If there is interest, we can schedule additional work sessions for your favorite project. |
Class Notes Project Notes Track Circuits Drawing Impedance Bonds Drawing Symbols Drawing |
| Class #4 | May 24, 2003 |
FRIDAY: We could use one to four people to help with the monthly crossing
inspections. If you want to help please contact Gene ahead of time so you
can schedule a meeting time and place. Gene will be available about 10:00am. SATURDAY MORNING: three principal projects: 1. Ron and Gary are going to do some work on the Signal Garden and another project and may need some help. They plan to start at 8 AM. 2. We have some stored equipment that needs to be put in boxes for more compact storage. We need a fork lift operator to help on this one. Start at 9 AM 3. The impedance bond at Mapes is defective and a crew will need to help replace it. Start at 9 AM SATURDAY PM CLASS: This Saturday we will continue with track circuits lab. I would like the people who were at the May 3 session to help the ones who were not here. As soon as we have the whole group through the first track circuits we can examine the workings of impedance bonds and experiment with audio track circuits. For anyone who is not familiar with Ohm's law or who needs any other extra help, we can go aside and get you up to date. An electrical or electronic background IS NOT needed for signaling. Ohm's law is more than enough for signal work except for some specialized items. However according to your interest, studying a beginning book on electricity or electronics can make some things more evident. |
Class Notes Project Notes Track Circuits Drawing |
| Class #3 | May 3, 2003 | Track Circuit Lab Experiments --
(Make-up for missed April class during RailFest). This class is May 3 at the usual time. This time it will be a lab to play and get acquainted with the way track circuits function. I want everyone to try the various experiments and perhaps check things out your own way so YOU understand the circuits. Bring any meters and test leads so we have plenty. I will have my meter and enough test leads and parts for the experiments, but more is better. |
Class Notes Project Notes Track Circuits Drawing |
| No Class | April 26, 2003 | No Class - Rail Fest weekend | ---- |
| Class #2 | March 22, 2003 |
Classroom Training - Track circuits: There will be hands on experiments. If you have a test meter (VOM) that will read about ten to 15 volts or five or ten amps dc or ac, it would be handy, also clip type test leads. Signal Projects: 9am-noon, Classroom Training: 1pm-4pm |
Class Notes Project Notes Track Circuits Drawing |
| Class #1 (Intro) |
February 22, 2003 | Class overview and facility tour | NONE |