107th Session Summary

The 107th session on the E&P was held yesterday July 20, 2013 and it was a more typical session.  Not the flawless sessions we have been having.  The biggest issue was the RF&P diamond interlock that decided to stop controlling the RF&P signals but continue to do everything else.  So every E&P train got instant GREENS.

The session produced the following punch list.
Fix the RF&P diamond interlock
Fix the Order writing program to add the direction to the Hood and Broadway Turns
Print two more copies of the timetable
Fix the dwarf at the west end main in Hood
Reposition the Thorny Point station a little farther away from the main
Reattach the back engine access door to the White Hall roundhouse
Reset the command station

So today I got to work.  So far I have removed the west end main dwarf at Hood, printed two more copies of the timetable, fixed the order writing process, worked on the RF&P diamond interlock and reset the command station.  But most tasks had an added complication.

First I ran out of black ink while trying to print the timetables and had to go get some more ink.

Then I got the computer screen, keyboard and mouse where I could see and use them and started debugging the RF&P interlock.  And you guessed it, it would not fail.  I guess the code was just not written to work on July 20, 2013.  (I had a similar problem with this interlock six years ago about this time so maybe it is just July 20th.)  But even this had a curve.  The computer kept wanting to do a check disk at startup so I ran a full disk check which found nothing but at least it stopped the check disk at startup.  The worst part about this task was remembering all of the files and setup info.  I need better documentation for this area!

And while I was under the layout I decided to reset the command station to prevent the "SLOT MAX" monster from appearing during a session.  That is when I found out the DT300 I use for this was no longer working.  I will either have to get it repaired or replace it with a DT400.  It never ends!

Anyway the interlock is now working and everything is back in place.  At least until the next session.

Oh yeah photos from the last session have been posted to www.easton-and-potomac.com along with an updated seniority list and attendance history and new Call and Extra Boards.

 Not a good picture.  When this equipment comes out things are going downhill fast!

This is the E&P CTC panel.  Not quite as complicated as Bob Burke's.  The upper diagram is the helix interlock and the lower diagram is the RF&P diamond interlock.  You can see a green signal on the RF&P.  Something that didn't happen yesterday.

A much better picture!  Everything back in place and ready for the next session.  Ha!