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8:18 pm
May 11, 2015
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Okay guys, this forum is pretty quiet and even when messages are posted, there is next to nothing in response.
So, what have you all been up to regarding your layout and ProTrak?
As you all know, we just got back from Jim's after a great 5 days. We had some good operations, fun train running and excellent ProTrak discussions, two changes of which will make a big difference for operations on the Nashville Road and bring me much closer to good continuous operations.
On Friday, I'm attending the NMRA North Central Region Regional Convention. I will be attending the Regional Board Meeting Friday morning and will be giving clinics on Friday and Saturday afternoons presenting, "What I've Learned Building the Nashville Road!" I enjoyed putting it together so much that I ended up with over 280 power point pages and I don't even get into operations!! Something tells me that I will be dividing it into 2 or 3 clinics in the near future.
Some of you are aware of the switch upgrades that I have decided to make. First, I'm replacing Atlas #6's in the yards with Fast Tracks switches. I'm very happy with the FT switches and highly recommend them to everyone. Tim Warris (FT developer) is excellent to work with and makes a superior product.
After building the #6's, I decided to also replace the Atlas #8's in the passenger terminal and after removing about a dozen of them at one end of the terminal, I decided that it maybe worthwhile upgrading the Atlas' rather than replacing them. After rebuilding an Atlas #6 and #8 for a test, I decided that they will be good and smooth operating switches and worthwhile doing the upgrade on the Atlas switches that I already have at about $3 to $3.50 per switch.
On the operations side of the railroad, we have been operating one Saturday per month for about 8 hours (10A to 6P) with a lunch break in between. We have about 20 people participate at each session. Everyone has been enjoying the all day sessions and I see them as a regular thing for the future.
We are still playing with the fast clock time and have backed it down from 2/1 to 1.7/1 and may slow it even more with my goal to find a speed that allows the yards and dispatcher to keep up with the schedule at an easy and enjoyable pace.
So, what are all of you up to?? Please jump in and get some traffic going on this forum and we will have some fun.
Best, Andy Keeney
Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1 but don't step in #2!!
2:58 pm
April 26, 2015
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Andy,
Up at Jim's ProTrak weekend last weekend you mentioned that you might consider participating in the NMRA AP. You certainly don't need to make that decision now; but clinic presentation is a part of how you can earn points towards the Author Certificate. As such you might at least keep track of what clinics you do so that if in the future you do the Author Certificate you will have a log of your clinic presentations. You might want to check the author certificate requirement to see if you need anybody to sign a clinic log sheet certifying that you did indeed present a clinic(s).
Also check the requirements for the Volunteer Certificate to see if your presence on the NC Regional Board will count towards the Volunteer Certificate.
Joe Brann
Orlando FL
4:03 pm
January 3, 2015
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3
Hi Joe, thanks, I will find out since I am interested in getting that going. I understand that there are things that I have already done on the railroad that will qualify for some of the requirements. I just need to document them.
Best, Andy
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From:"ProTrak.org"
Date:Thu, Oct 29, 2015 at 3:58 PM
Subject:New Forum Post - ProTrak.org: [Hellooooo]
6:17 pm
December 23, 2014
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Andy,
If you are going to pursue the MRR, or even parts of it, I would be happy to join you on your journey.
Jim
7:28 pm
May 11, 2015
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Hi Jim, there maybe a few of us that are interested. I know that Joe and Fred are working on their's and I'm pretty sure that Howard either has his MMR or is very close to it and would be a good resource or mentor to help us along the way.
Anyone else working on their's?
Best, Andy
Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1 but don't step in #2!!
4:51 pm
April 28, 2015
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I have been busy working on the layout, but not operating. However, I did recently host an open house for the Potomac Division, NMRA; here are some photos of my layout:
http://potomac-nmra.org/Layout.....index.html
I have three scratch built structures that are 90% completed; they are in the last photo posted. Once they are complete I can then finish laying out the last section of my railroad, Waynesboro, VA.
I also need to install some decoders and speed match some locomotives. I plan on using Decoder Pro for the speed matching. Once I've done that I hope to resume operations and get back to ProTrak.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ProTrak weekend and Jim's and look forward to the spring gathering at Andy's.
Jim Brewer
5:02 pm
April 26, 2015
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Jim,
Looks like a great layout for a ProTrak weekend. WHEN ? ? ?
Joe Brann
1:28 pm
April 26, 2015
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Jim B
Great looking layout.
Bob Butler
6:49 pm
January 3, 2015
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Got my MMR back in January. #550
Andy, you should be very close to the Volunteer Certificate if not there.
Your work on the NMRA National a few years back counts. All you open houses for National, Regional and Divisional conventions count. Any clinics that you have repeated count towards volunteer. Just go back and document all these things.
Your layout should be good for Civil Engineer and Electrical with some added documentation. Scenery may be a different story. Then there is Dispatcher, again probably only some paper work that you need to do.
You need to look Rolling Stock and Structures and plan on doing something in these area.
Always ready to give advice.
Howard
11:26 pm
May 11, 2015
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Howdy Jim B,
A wonderful layout, great pics and a very nice writeup on your layout.
I agree with Joe that you should consider hosting a PT Weekend in the future. Look forward to seeing you in the Spring.
Best, Andy
Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1 but don't step in #2!!
11:33 pm
May 11, 2015
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Hi Howard,
Thanks for the info and I appreciate you taking an interest in helping me. I have to dig into the NMRA website and get going on it.
Just got home from the NCR Regional in Ft Wayne. Had a great time and got to present my "What I've Learned, Building the Nashville Road!" Had about 70 people total attend two presentations. I really enjoyed sharing it with them.
Now I have a little more time with my travels over for now, I'll get with you to plan my AP adventure!!
Since Jim M is also interested, maybe you can help him figure out what he has already completed towards his AP.
Thanks, Andy
Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1 but don't step in #2!!
12:45 pm
January 3, 2015
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Great that you did a clinic twice.
The first time will count toward the Author certificate, the second can be used for Volunteer time units if needed.
Howard
1:29 pm
January 3, 2015
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13
Howard, I just downloaded several of the AP documents and placed them in a binder. I'm going to start going through them and seeing what I have already done that will give me points.
Funny, I just read where I can get author points for the second presentation. I've done that a few times at conventions. I'll start getting my documentation together for that too.
Thanks, Andy
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
From:"ProTrak.org"
Date:Sun, Nov 1, 2015 at 1:45 PM
Subject:New Forum Post - ProTrak.org: [Hellooooo]
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