trkSvg/tgrSvg.k scripts for generating .svg track drawings and diagrams
created this website using github
scripts to print coal trestle bents
scripts to print loading docks
modifed cardboard freight house
manual reverser dwarf signal circuit
remotored Boxcab
found nylon worm that mates with axle gear .. mod
learned that coefficients for RPM/V and mN/A are equal and
provide the means to identify if a motor is suitable.
Also determined that ~9mN of torque is appropriate
Arduino Mega DCC command station, motor shield
generic DCC controller using
ESP32 supporting WiFi
RS-485
OLED display
commercial 4x4 keypad
accelerometer, 3V battery and java display
Layout Diary
2026 April
finished install tortoise/signal to staging east
2026 March
wired turnout and rev-sw for staging east
added cardboard barrier near foundry where cars have dropped
added tortoise/signal to arrival east
installed green LEDs on PSX boards
added screw-eyes to hang controllers
rewired accessory power to switched outlet and down pennisula
rewired full output for switched power
added cardboard backer to mahanoy plane building flats
mounted uncoupler ramp on code 100 track
finished RDG sw1500 with detail parts and handrails
replaced couplers & wheels and added weight to RDG box
mounted uncoupler ramp on code 100 track & installed on ladder
built card boxfor yard
2026 February
cut 1/4 sheet for depressed yard
tested hump with kadee uncoupler
mounted kadees on tyco rdg box and tuned trucks for metal wheel
added track bumpers from kim
rewired dcc bus & installed PSXs
added shelf & mounted SB5
rewired switched outlet for SB5
replaced cab04 regulator
2026 January
wired ceiling outlet
assembled/installed two lamp fixtures
mounted 2 rj-12 jacks on shelf
pinned down yard for op-session running trains from it
glued cork for mainline and arrival tracks
ran cabbus around spline to shelf
purchased 2 used Cab4s for $80
puchased 4 rj-12 jacks
puchased coiled telephone cables
2025 December
re-gluing foam-spline, narrowed ends to match foam height
braced legs on shelf, added some horizontal braces,
corner near stove for foam-spline
inventoried car weight and lengths
2025 November
11/23, finally assembled shelf.
Only needed to buy 2 1x2x8s; had 2 1/2x16"x8' plywood and foam;
used 2 1x2 pieces from attic;
glued, then broke apart, masonite/foam spline
2025 October
re-designing yard
re-evaluating Card statistics
rewired staging signal with bypass diodes
discovered OpenSCAD and working on controller lid
completed foundry extention w/ windows
25/10/12
bought 5 cars, 2 cabeese at Bunker Hill trains show Martinsburg
25/10/2
working on lid design
Dennis switched Maizeville
Tiny came over to see layout
finished foundry extention and added windows
25/09/28
completed EBR tower
added paper windows to breaker
investigated .stl, printed window but learning to use OpenScad
working on controller lid
planning ops with Tiny and Dennis
printed/glued names on all buildings
started construction of Foundry extention
25/08/12
added powder car (Buggy's)
extended Gilberton freight house track
working on EBR additions
25/08/6
1st op-session with Kim and Richard
discussed switching patterns with John S
25/08/1
disappointed with width of foundry
completed mill and added windows to mill on two sides
started cutting breaker
25/07/19
cut/installed card holders
switched Gilerberton in 35 mins
switched Maizeville in 32 mins
25/07/13
completed iron works, used heat gun to remove glued windows
wrote script to print windows with proper scaling
updated scripts to print flats in color, brick, siding
switched cars to prep for op session
cars derailed when pushed thru staging switches
short freight house tracks require aligning coupler
25/07/4
working on carboard iron works
printed, cut and located cars with cars
glued bents to stringer using jig
still working on Wabash couplers
25/06/20
moved longitudinal plates to inside
still trying to add kadee couplers to Wabash stock car
glueing coal trestle bent to paper for spacing
made cardboard hopper loads
crisp photo using tripod, timer and overhead lighting (no shadows)
25/06/14
isolate Gilberton freight track as programming track
and added switch to disconnect layout
kim gifted another Reading GP7
programmed GP7 decoders with #s on chassis
found East Bear Ridge trackage next to Mahanoy plane on
topo from 1956 showing storage tracks on mainline
successful DCC Arduino cmd-station code, need to test RS-485 connections
25/01/16
glued 1/8" cork on caulk ramp to 3/16" cork
fleshed out lower pennisula station trackage
looking for B8/Boxcab worm/gear/motor replacement
gear has 1/8" hole, ~13 teeth and ~.26" dia
think gear 'mod' is 0.5, diaMm / #teeth
worm has 1/8" bore, .25 dia
looking for similar worm fits on common 2mm motor shaft
25/01/06
laid out track for staging -- establish lines
cut 1/8" cork for staging
looked at older flex track, mix of code 83 & 100
glued foam panel
laid 2" line for station
25/01/03
worked on 2nd chair
added brace under staging turnout
stared sanding foam to provide path to staging
tried testing acceleration car
glued foam to plywood
24/12/30
glued outer edge of cork on spline
marking track 2" from edge
inventoried need for #6 and ordered remaingin from Oakland
24/12/17
sanded plastic wood, added more where needed
looked at different cork rolls: 1/8 and 0.09" and floor underlayment
24/12/16
bought plastic wood and applied to top of spline
24/12/23
tested wood stove after moving
move van chair
cut several 5/8" cork strips
looked a car riding on cork covered spline
24/12/14
added plates under spline ends and plywood
tried sanding spline
24/12/8
moved cd player into train room
discovered foam panels different thickness
cut 1" panel from garage, used waste to fill in to wall
5
generated svg diagrams showing track resistance with multiple feeders
manual reverser dwarf signal circuit