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JMRI, computer issues, installing decoders, scratch building structures - fits and starts

A series of medical issues have made it tough to make model railroading progress. In November 2021, my torn left shoulder rotator cuff was surgically repaired. Then I suffered two accidents in 2022 — a face plant in January, while out walking and I was hit by a car while biking on March 26. The latter got me a medic unit ride to the trauma center. I also discovered that I have repetitive stress injury in my right arm. And in early June I contracted Covid. 

I’ve tried to put my Covid recuperation and rehab time to good use. I’m nearly current on Paramount+’s Star Trek offerings on AmazonPrime. More importantly, I found a new favorite contributor to YouTube — Cityscape Studio. Majiri, the creative force behind the channel, creates videos showing how he builds gritty Tokyo and Osaka dioramas. His projects include structures, alleys, city streets, freeways, traffic lights, canals and railroad 

His content is a good fit and inspiration for the Takadanobaba project. He has a high level of skill in diorama building. Much of the stuff he does could be within the realm of my capabilities if I can develop the skills. That’s very possible. I’ve long been a kit builder and sometime kitbasher. My tastes have changed. I’m more interested in accurately capturing the prototype. Today’s model building technologies such as 3d printing and laser cutting make that increasingly possible. Hence, I am more favorably disposed toward scratchbuilding. This means learning new stuff – particularly how to use CAD. I’ll need that to learn how to create 3d printing files. Perhaps the acquisition of a printer is in my future. Getting a laser cutter won’t happen, but there is a cricut in the house. I’m going to see how far I can push the envelope with that tool. (I hope to use this for structures.)  All of this means practicing and building skills. (Diligence on rehabbing my shaky right arm and hand assumes greater importance.)

Speaking of learning new skills — I’m climbing the JMRI PanelPro learning curve. My goal on the Takadanobaba layout is to completely automate the train operations. I’m planning to use warrants for that. I’ve tried a dry run. I fiddled around with the software. I hear the process works better when the computer is actually hooked up to a DCC system and layout.

Here’s the test bed: (top picture shows sector plate aligned for bottom track)



(bottom picture shows new top track glued down and sector plate aligned for that track.)



The goal is to use this module to create my first warrants and test out using servos to move the sector plate. What’s going on in the photo is: the second mainline has just been laid. Most of the track wires are hooked up to a Digitrax BDL-168 detector. In turn, that will be hooked up to a Digitrax Zephyr. I am using an old Bachmann power pack as an external power supply. To do: connect the loco-net cable between the Zephyr and the detector board, and connect to the computer running JMRI.

That’s the source of the current speed bumps. Note the use of the plural. 



Item 1. I have an old HP Stream14 laptop (the purple computer, pictured above) designated to be dedicated to the Takadanobaba project. One small problem, it needs a memory upgrade. The first chip I bought is the incorrect size. I’m on the hunt to find the correct-sized replacement. Hopefully, one is available via Amazon. 

Item 2. While fiddling with the purple computer, I decided to install JMRI on another HP laptop — this one has adequate memory. The problem: the software is not detecting a serial port. This port is needed not only for connecting to the layout but also to configure the decoders just installed in the trains. They are all Kato and ran well on DC power. Just need to make sure they will behave in the DCC world. An aside - the interior lighting, which does not require decoders, looks good. (see photo below)



The last loose end to tie up is organization. My workflow and workspaces have fallen into disarray. 

I like to start projects. Reaching completion is another issue. The workspaces are cluttered with incomplete and poorly organized work. 

What do I do? Acknowledge my bad habits and accept my limitations. Slow down and enjoy the journey. It’s a fun one. I do enjoy going into my office or garage, turning on some music and doing a little work. The challenge is to be disciplined and stay focused. It is reasonable to expect to be able to manage two active projects at a time. I don’t have the bandwidth to do more. That said, I need to have a pair of easy to pick up and put down projects. That’s easy: prepping parts for building FastTrack switches and processing N-scale freight cars (weighing, weathering, metal wheels, installing body-mounted couplers). I’m going to return to using a to-do list as a resource to keep me focused. It will also serve as a record of accomplishments.

Messy garage
In terms of organizing, the garage and office workspaces are a mess. The garage needs more shelves and a new workbench. Those are big projects that I’m not yet ready to physically tackle. They will be coming soon and along with it an update to this blog. See you then!

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