Saturday, January 28, 2012

2012 versus 1996 - It ain't all that different!

 has been posting video after video of CSX O721 in 1996. I must say I'm flattered and very appreciative to see this sudden inflow of videos on YouTube from that time period. Though, I am a little surprised it wasn't THAT impressive back then.

But seeing it all led me to this conclusion: 1996 was almost no different from 2012. Here are the following side by side differences:

  • 1996: The job ran M-F, with MWF being half Homestead, half CSR Rinker (now Cemex), and TuTh being straight shot to Rinker. Slight deviations to the weekend... 2012: Su-Th, Cemex three to four times a week, and local runs to Orr, ProBuild, and AFEC mid week, usually M, Tu, or Wed (sometimes pick 2 days). Occasionally in 2012 they run Fridays. 
  • 1996: Dominant carloadings were for 84 Lumber (became Stock Builder then just left the building), some AFEC, and Rinker, maybe Orr as well but I have yet to see a video. PB didn't exist and K&A lumber (short lived) not so much either. Combined in one job. 2012: Most frequent customers aside from CYDX are Orr and ProBuild. Seal-Tite is here-and-there, and AFEC is a little more frequent. 
  • 1996: Strictly 4-axle power, no matter what day. 2012: 4-axle power on the manifest moves, 6-axle power to CYDX.
  • 1996: Crappy track. 2012: refurbished track, sort of.
  • 1996: Time on 9am, 2012: time on 4:00 PM. Oh well.
In 1996, it can be concluded ONLY O721 ran on the Homestead (Or was it O719?). In 1998 ish was when the job moved and O719 came in being the morning job. By 2001-2002, there were two rock drags per day and I remember in 2007 seeing O719 tied at Oleander with two dash 8s and loaded rock at 3pm. 2009 they cut O719 and unfortunately we're down to O721 now. However, cyclic trends can show that we can be seeing good faith in the line by 2015-2017 at this rate. Seeing this time period provides a study of the line that hasn't been available before. Yet I appreciate the offering so much. 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Rinker Run '96 Part 1



Video of the old Oleander Junction between FEC and CSX, circa 1996. Used to be an interchange point, and you can see that especially with the clips of a bulkhead hashed in. I used to see tankers and manifest stored there too, from god knows when.

The diamond is gone in favor of DTMF switches. The scene and power have changed completely. But one thing that remains is the form factor of O721, except it runs five hours later. It still offers a 5-weekly train to Krome.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

I'm So Effing Pissed...

I don't know why I feel this will be one of my best written postings. A creed of anger? A "Rage-quit" in proper English? Perhaps I'll get it proof checked by my English teacher then get it published as a book.

This post is completely relevant to the video aspect of my CSX railfanning, and is why I have not been able to come up with video progress nor tutorials of the benchwork.

So you know I am regularly, by convention, an HD videotaper. Only recently, November the 6th, the camcorder gave up for the first time. The electrical problem prevented it from starting up at all costs and receiving any form of power or electric contact. My camcorder had become a vegetable, for what it's worth!

The first transaction with the servicemen at Panasonic went reasonably smoothly. Even at a cost of 119.00, within warranty (cheap-asses), I managed to establish a firm case order and send the product to the nearest repair center, in Texas, for repair. It was a bit of work of course to do it, packing, pre-paying shipping, etc, but I was praying for a smooth exchange when I mailed it off on Sunday, November 27th.

The repair lasted from December 6th until the 13th (when that day I experienced a Doral Trolley ride that gave me more reason to appreciate the driver I regularly see - as a friend) and they shipped it back the 15th. Happy, dandy business; fortunately I withdrew plans to go to the Tampa Golden Spike Train Show one week in advance so as to not expend money for the right to videotape trains and Laygoes with a phone.

The camcorder arrived the 20th. I did feel like I won the lottery, at least a little bit; it was a refurbished camcorder and almost looked new. Unfortunately, on the 22nd, I had a little boo-boo at Tropical park and was filming myself on the bike, but that was NOT the cause of the camcorder to not power up. The little incident was very minor in scope and only did a couple of scratches to the camcorder. It worked for 6 more days.

The camcorder stopped working on the 28th, when it would not charge in the electrical outlet at the Anatolia restaurant in Boca. So purely, it's THEIR screw up that left me without a camcorder. They did not do enough of a job fixing it; all they did was create another hassle and I hope the person who did this poor job pays dearly for it. So I started wondering, "Do I have no right to have a camcorder anymore?"

We called Panasonic technical support on the 30th and they said the repair will now be on them. YEAH. WE PAID FOR YOU TO PUTZ AROUND ALREADY. If not enough, they will replace it for free as it is within part warranty. So we send it January 6th; I was in a colorless mood that day, but hell, the day was nice and hope was there. Then, the vapor begins to rise. We have not heard anything from them. Anything. For two and a half weeks, NOTHING has been accomplished. So we finally call them this week; and today they give this. (paraphrased)

Yes, we have received the product, but we will not fix it until it is paid for. You will have to pay 211.50 for the repair.

Ridiculous! They probably didn't read the little note on the proven Panasonic Invoice for the previous work order which happened just before the resend. We paid 360.00 for the camcorder, and are being asked to double the money for it to be in tip top shape again. What an insult! We are in the process of contesting it, but these lazy people keep sitting around, REFUSING to help us! It is taking an ongoing measure of getting referred to the Repair Coordinator to get this happen for free, with simple proof we paid for it and are incurring the same problem immediately after the repair. I have been losing my patience over this absolute incompetence on the techies' part. They just cannot put two and two together. Shame on you, Panasonic!

So it goes to show you, their camcorders are damn nice, but their technical support sucks. Yet, I have to suffer as my railfanning has taken a drastic hit, but so has the motive of my LEGO videos, one of my cashing points in the YouTube hobby. No wonder January has been low in monetization.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Benchwork Part 5

As of 7:02 PM on January 23, 2012, the two tables are completely benched to my ability. All eight stud elements have been successfully attached to the boards. It was a slightly frustrating but overall good mini-project. Now I look to finishing them off with legs and the 1" thick foam boards from Lowe's.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Benchwork Part 4 & Other Decisions

Today was a bit slower than I expected. I had run through my #12 screw supply which left me with the load of #8s that I bought from the Home Depot in August. Not realizing the difference, the drill bits had to be voided. Fortunately only two have to be refitted for the #8s which means I ran through the lot very efficiently, including screws that were done for essentially in earlier drillings. Surprisingly they were screwed in efficiently. The third and fourth studs of Table #2 have yet to be cut, sanded, and glued/drilled into place. Probably I'll get to those come Sunday.

My budget is very tight so I decided to hold off on purchasing the legs for now until the LEGO LUGBULK Order is cleared through. That is since the untold amount of dollars have to be fixed into that investment as I want to also establish a position in the LEGO hobby, be it a professional one.

I did some searching on foam board and found a 4'x8'x1" foam board from the Lowe's site.
DOW 1"x8'x4' Polyisocyanurate Sheathing
I did some research on MRRForums and they said the "blue, green, pink" extruded foam is good. Even so, I searched the word Polyisocyanurate and turned up a thread with an instant answer. I guess it's a good way to get the layout done in terrain. But then again, there are skeptics on that thread, but I guess I'll have the idea what to buy when I look at it over at Lowe's this weekend.

Remember that this is 1:87. 1" deep = 87", or 7' 3" of elevation. Then you have a half inch layer of cork roadbed on top. This makes it about 10' high in elevation. Nonetheless, it's perfect for South Florida's land profile. There are those ditches but the beauty of this scale is the ability to render them in such a size. The ditches are 5-6' at best so the 10' high elevation will allow some foam to remain. Even so I read that it is easy to cut to, so I am being blessed with this result for such simple research.

Legs. The leg height has not been determined entirely. Originally it was 4' high but I will not be able to work deep unless I use a stool. I will dive it to 3' in height. As far as legs go, I am thinking a very simple construction. Using numerous L-brackets and .5" screws, I intend to implement the L brackets on two of the sides so the leg does not tip flat under the board. This will also be removable. To get the legs I am picturing splitting a 2"x2"x8' board in three sections (the third, 2', can be kitbashed to form low shelves.). I'll probably be looking over these at Home Depot in a coming weekend but not right now.

To offset some of the expenditures, I want to bring into light how in 2009 I sought an FEC layout out of this and not a CSX layout. I have an Auto-Max auto carrier (BNSF livery) and an FEC Ortner that I haven't used. Since I want to maintain an intermodal train for whatever reason, including the use of such at train expos and the SFRM, I think I can save the Auto-Max from being sent off to the gallows of eBay. However, if I decide NOT to recoat my FEC Ortner to a CYXX Ortner (#4006), I will do some kitbashing and sell it as a custom item. This kitbashing includes weathering and graffiti as well as painting the wheels. But we will see as time progresses and when I venture to sell other items.

Already if you happen to be a LEGO fan there's an e-store with parts at wonderful prices, online, run by the family: South Florida Part Heaven

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Decisions, Decisions... Part 2

The next rock and a hard place are so: Wood versus Extruded Foam as a mounting surface.

As you know, one table has been completely built with the as-advertised plytanium plywood top and another is underway (on hold since it is usually too late for me to drill without a complaint next door).

I am such a cheap modeler at times and do run on a budget. My latest hobby trips haven't had me run more than 40 bucks compared to times that I have expended about 60-80. Extruded foam boards at 4'x8' at the Home Depot run about 15 dollars. Maybe it isn't that expensive, but it does take a bit off when you multiply the quantity.

South Florida is a flat space for the most part. Except for your bridge, the land is flat. THOUGH, there are reliefs in elevation. For instance, the CSX Miami Sub's roadbed is significantly on top of the immediate ground and more often than not features double drainage ditches next to either side, especially at Manatee and Parker.

So maybe the idea of budgeting more for Foam board isn't bad after all. I want my layout to be as realistic as possible, and I feel if I want to capture this change in elevation, I need the foam.

Famed modelers like Lance Mindheim have taken to using foam board. But one challenge is Home Depot doesn't have it where I live. Maybe I can buy it from Lowe's.

But that can also be made up with cork layers. But then again, that only raises the track. I want to see ditches like this (Manatee clip at about 07:00):



We'll wait and see what happens. I am already intending to buy legs for my two tables, and even so there is a custom LEGO order to take care of so money isn't as loose as it seems. But probably I will choose to go for the foam board itself, but time will tell and all is subject to change.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Plan Modified But Mostly the Same as the Last One



In response to the more recent entry about deciding what to do with my Deerfield space, I have touched up, no, not redone, the layout design render on XTrkCAD. I have also input my options for the two long 8' boards. I believe it fits the way it has been done... Though, there are compromises, like Amerigas being reduced to just a single lead track. This is because a trackmobile pulls it out of the siding by Racetrack Rd. In the more advanced stages I may design a removable section for the train to take a right turn and unload there, but we are designing the operations of O717 anyway as a whole and not necessarily Amerigas in particular. Perhaps the Amerigas turnout will be the last section that I detail.
The requirements are as follows that I had to satisfy:

  • 3' of working space RR north of Sentinel (241 scale feet) - Amtrak Station Canopies will be detailed, as I have the Plastruct styrene!
  • 22" + Radius. Maybe would get away with a 20-21" around the smaller industries but Amerigas, Home Depot, and Boise especially must exceed 22". They work with centerbeams and LPG tanks. Mainline radii between 23, 24"
  • Space for Tri-Rails to shoo back and forth. The crossovers are designed in run-around motion and compromised however. I would say that this will not affect O717 but maybe Tri-Rail photos may only be opportune in certain times (ie. when O717 is working Track-2 at Sentinel, Tri-Rail should be able to run on Track-1)
A note: A bit of sloppy laying by Publix, but the idea is there. The track at Publix will seep into the other board but a photo wall (1.5' high) will separate the sections. The possibilities are endless. To fix this I may end up angling the main by Manatee as well to give space. Remember until it is done in brick and mortar all is subject to change.

Also since I am 6' tall I should be able to access the entire space so the big indentation at Home Depot is not an access problem, as I can reach almost 3' and it seems like the most access needed is 2ft. right at the corner there. The duckunder will be in the Pompano Market section, around Keeman. Since I am young, again I can duck under easily.


Monday, January 16, 2012

CSXT O717 Idle

Here's a test shot, O717 idle at Manatee. The first board, even with its crooked stud (as I said, it's only there for reinforcement and it is serving its purpose) will include the industries of Allsteel and also the City's water treatment plant.

Benchwork Part 3

The arduous first tabletop is finished! It was a challenge, however, placing in the long 8' studs. One of them is horribly warped but seeing that the studs only have to reinforce the top and there will be fascia, I do not mind the warping. Either way it's all done and time to move to table 2.


Benchwork Part 2 and Decisions, Decisions...

The first table is coming together, slowly by slowly. The second and one of the most difficult studs, the 8' long one, which was warped, was finally nailed down with the 1.5" wood screws. In my honest opinion I do not care if the studs are slightly warped longitudinally as the fact that they reinforce the lumber is preserved. As the third stud, a 2' long one, is being clamped/left overnight (damn noise ordinance), the table already appears flat. So when I wake up at 10 AM, I'll be doing the drilling when the noise is allowable.

But, reviewing the map and my fledgling skill in woodwork, I am truly dissatisfied with the recent render. The recent render has the form factor I like, though. It has the tracks spiraling around with a duckunder/inside area so I can work from there. Since I am 17 I think I can handle this. But the big problem is working with space in the Deerfield Beach area. This area is truly one that needs a 10' long segment in its maximum capacity to suit a crossover, Publix, and deep down, a fairly complete Deerfield Beach station. At this point, however, the canopy of the station will be designed to only require 3' of train. Add 1' for the #4 turnout, 3' for the straightaway, and 1' for the last #4 turnout to Publix, and you have 8'. Don't forget the crossover, which puts an extra 30" on the spot. Add the curve and you would already be working at 12' 5", a cap in my layout. What I do need is window access space so I guess it may be difficult to work it in otherwise, but it's tricky, tricky, tricky unless I do it right. Though, providing so many things are stored by the big window this section might work out after all. I do not plan to have any more than 24 \scriptstyle \sqrt {2}" deep which by theory of form any human above 4' can reach. So I'll try to negotiate this and work it out accordingly. However, the sections of Pompano Market can be split up, but the challenge is Home Depot, which spurs to the left. Tricky, tricky, tricky!

As a possible solution, Plan Option D, the most recent, may win over after all but with Sun Sentinel entirely modified to be switching from another turn.

So I guess the most interesting area of the route is the biggest challenger after all. The curve being next to Publix is the wisest move to do in the end due to the fact that Publix spurs to the east so it looks good. The changes would make the Cypress area more pushed to the right, linear, free of the unknown spur at 51 St, and with a beautiful Tri-Rail station to the left. Hmm. And so they say, decisions, decisions.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Miami Sub Layout: Benchwork Part 1/ WIP

Benchwork is in progress! The first section is the adhesion of four studs to the NW board. This board will include Allsteel. One stud's in now.

'twas a good feeling too. The access to two powerful tools and a drill was what this entailed.

So if you remember the August 1 entry, it's all boards n' studs. I got one stud cut in 4 (24" lengths).

So the step was to cut that to 21" so the long 8' boards can fit in the edges. I think I made it about 20" seeing the end result, que es buen porque I'll be able to have the long board indented rather than at the edge.

I used a wonderful jigsaw to do it. Follow that by sanding and that trial-error job's all done.

The critical part was to put it. This was trial/error at its finest. I had a problem with the drill bit (which turned out too small) as it split up inside the upper board. I had to move the hole. This introduced the clamps.

The clamps held it until I applied wood glue, which was a pain in the butt to apply. I had to scrape almost-dried bits off the top with a pencil and apply those. I believe this stud will have been the least supported-by-glue stud as it was mostly scraping plus wet bits. But it stuck. As I quickly thought, I inverted it over so the stud can be held. To apply the screws, I re-inverted it then did so. This was frustrating. The bit was too thin, a screw got stuck, but for the most part it worked out, especially after I learned the proper lessons.

To achieve this, I used a standard drill bit about the width of the stem (increased from before) plus an angled bit to hold in the diagonals of the Wood Screw. This is a #12, at 1.5 inches.


With one out of four done, it cost me three hours, but always you will have a slow start to things. Now to work on sides 2, 3, and 4. :)

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Downtown Spur

Part of Lance Mindheim's visit also included the downtown spur. It turned out interesting yet disappointing news.

  • FP&T has not had a single gondola in sight which doesn't look good, but they have a boxcar inside. What I do like about this is that you can model just about any possible scenario, ie. delivery of a machine, and it'll play well in real life.
  • Cliff Berry Inc (tankers) had cars spotted
  • Sun Gas had cars spotted
  • Family and Son had cars spotted
  • Trujillo and Sons had one car spotted. Mostly the usual...
 The big thing here is definitely expect the unexpected. A CSX worker apparently told him that on a good day, FPT will have loads, and on a bad day, they won't, and also they ship by barge. So the operations can be feast one day, famine another.

I'm assuming the irregulars didn't have any cars, but that Miami Iron had a good cut.

Monday, January 9, 2012

East Rail Update

Famed Model Railroader Lance Mindheim visited Miami last week on his annual boomerang run to Prototype Rails in Cocoa Beach, FL. Of course, every Miami trip comes with a look at the spurs. East Rail is doing very well this week... While it was thought Guixens Food stopped getting cars, they have had loads spotted. Sentry has cars, SALCO has cars, Weeks Gas has cars, and while not mentioned I am sure Pan American Papers probably had cars or is about to receive them. At least it quantifies running Y120 regularly there twice a week, and even running what I call surprise yard jobs day and night.

Speaking of Yard-job operated spurs, the Lehigh Spur has been deadly quiet, beyond reasonable. I believe there has been a lone Florida Rock hopper sitting outside the Miami quarry since July (Saw it from the Turnpike) and word on the street was they are just struggling to get mining permits. Cemex hasn't been taking in Coal ash for the longest time, but I hope I will see a job work there soon.

CSX GPC Spur

Like the Stanton, this spur's speed limit is 25mph, as evidenced here in a first for Distant to Ojus Productions:

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Southbound O721 close-ups

"Name that cut of rock" - When I see a loaded hopper on O721, I wonder what it has, but here you can see the commodity. Looks like ballast...


Gypsum didn't seem as easy to get on O721 as it seemed in December, where three straight catches yielded it. TTZX 865137 marks the third time I have seen it in the video era.