The AE&C 314 Part 2

ELECTRICAL 
To me, mapping out the wiring of a model is extremely important. This should be done while the model is in the planning phase.  To keep things easy to follow and future reference, a drawing or schematic should be made and kept. No two models are the same.

To see different ways to wire a trolley model look at chapter "Electrical Control of Model Traction"  in the "Model Traction Handbook for Model Railroads" published by Carstens. Several methods of control and wiring are presented.

If you have both trucks insulated for 2-rail, it's easy to wire up a model to run on both trolley wire and 2-rail. In the following drawing the term at the bottom "Positive = RED" should be "RED Wire or Terminal on the Power Supply". The main draw back is having good contact between the trolley pole and the trolley hook.

The main "positive", advantage of pole reverse wiring is, as long as the power supply is set to forward, the model will go forward. This is exactly like the prototype!



POWER TRUCKS
A photo of of the dual power trucks made by the Q-Car Co. appears in the prior post. Dual power was chosen due to the weight of the model itself plus the unknown weight of the trail car it will pull.

If you have worked with power trucks in the past you are aware of the running characteristics of the truck in one direction vs. the other direction. In one direction the thrust is against the end of the gear box while running in the other direction the thrust is against the nose motor bearing. Often the sound of the truck running plus its speed are not the same.

Therefore if 2 power trucks are to be installed in a model it is best to mount both in the same direction. Of course there are exceptions. But, be cautious and don't ruin a power truck.

The completed model is being held in a Bowser foam cradle. Note both of the gear boxes face the same direction. The underbody detail work came with the model. All I added or changed is the electrical wiring and the guts of the trucks.

Both of the sets of sideframes had been altered to match the prototype. This also meant the  the sideframes were able to clear the steps. If you are sending Q-Car or Current Line Models sideframes which require special consideration such as direction of the gear box or with regard to direction of travel, tell them  about your requirements. The trucks will built accordingly.

This shows the alteration to the end of the sideframe plus the addition of PSC brake rigging to the truck.

You may have noticed the prototype AE&C 311 to 315 series of cars had 8440 sideframes which have an 84" (7') wheelbase. I'm using 7830 sideframes which have a 78" (6'6") wheelbase. I do this for the clearance around the steps. O scale trucks are oversize to start out with. In O scale the track gauge is 5'. Truck sideframes are wider and often made with a soft cast metal. The PSC lost wax brass sideframe looks just as good if not better than the 8440 sideframes.

What turned out to be the most interesting part of changing from the Multi-Units to Q-Car powered trucks was, once the body bolster and brass floor were drilled out for clearance of the 2-56 mounting screws, the new trucks could be just installed as they are. There was no need to make the body bolster thinner. Or, no washers were required between the body bolster or truck bolster to raise up the body.

Here the body is in the foam holder. The interior is in place. The front truck has been installed  and the Nyloc nut supplied by Q-Car attached . I prefer to place a spring between the nut and the floor. This keeps the truck tight against the body.

Also, in the photo can be seen the 2 brass rods to hold the roof to the body. They are used to bring trolley current from the roof to the trucks and vice versa. The rear (right in the photo) rod with a piece of insulating shrinkable tubing over it is being use for this purpose. 

The washers, nuts, and pieces of plastic in the lower part of the foam are for bolting the roof on to the body. The set on the left hand side are for the rear brass stud. The pieces of styrene are being used to insulate the stud and connection from the underside of the brass body.

The front brass stud does not need insulation protection. A washer and nut are all that are needed.

This is the rear body bolster. The red wire is attached to a small, hand made 0.005" brass connector to fit over the rear brass stud from the roof with the trolley circuit. The red wire goes into the car body to the Dallee adjustable constant voltage for the lighting. It also goes to the power trucks. I like to use Miniatronics  2 pin micro-mini connectors. You can make your own connectors. 

Miniatronics states their connectors are not to be used to power rolling stock. I use both wires soldered together to carry the trolley voltage to the power trucks. Using connectors instead of soldering the wires together make it easier to service the power truck in the future. A Miniatronics 2-pin connector for the rear power truck can be seen to the left in the photo.

One modeler I know connects wiring in the model with small power blocks made of wood or styrene and screws. He avoids soldering all wires together. 

A gray wire attached to a larger, hand made 0.005"  brass connector is to be used to pick-up the rail ground  and bring it to the Dallee board. Each motor in a power truck is grounded to the truck frame.

The rear power truck is being test fitted into the car. The brass connector to pick-up the ground can be seen. There is still some dirt to be cleaned up from the power truck.

For final assembly the roof is added last. A nut driver has to be fitted in between the end of the frame of each truck to attach the nuts to each brass stud from the roof.

Here is the finished model. The destination/train class signs on the dash need to be lettered.

Next comes the companion car, the Florence, for the 314.

Cheers,
Ed 

An Addendum to Work on CA&E 312 Continued

Early on the AE&C experimented with methods of telling passengers standing on the platform the destination and class of a train approaching them. The AE&C had a number of trains running between Chicago and Wheaton. During the day, non-rush hour, there were at least 4 trains per hour - 2 local, 1 express, and 1 limited. Passengers requiring a ride on a local would, per chance, arrive at the station ahead of time and board the 1st train going their direction. It may have been the wrong train - an express or limited instead of a local or vice versa.

Of the 2 methods described in a prior post, the round white lamp with the sheet metal flip signs mounted on the dash below the motorman's window seems to have worked out the best. It was applied to other series of cars.

If you examine photos of the era, you will notice what was printed on the signs changed over time. One photo I noticed had a destination city printed on the sheet metal above the round lamp. Apparently at that time, trains operated from Chicago to Wheaton and then to one of the potential destination cities on the Fox River. The sign I saw had "AURORA" printed on it. More about train operations later in another post.

Exactly how long the "white lamp flip sheet metal destination" signage was used is unknown. When this method was discontinued, the sheet metal was removed and the white lamp housing was painted in the same color as the balance of the car including the glass lens of the lamp. When the glass broke it was replaced with a piece of wood or metal and painted. Over time a few cars had the entire lamp housing removed and replaced with wood.

Cheers,
Ed

The CA&E 312 is Now the AE&C 314 Part 1

LIGHTING
A Dallee Adjustable Regulated Power Supply, Item #378, will be used to provide a constant current to 1.5 v bulbs. It will be hidden in the lavatory.

From experience I've found if the bulbs are placed 1.25" to 1.3" apart, the Dallee board an be set at 1.25 v and still provide adequate lighting for daylight or night running. You don't want the bulbs to be too bright. Remember this is a 100+ year old car and era.

This is only a partial photo of the interior of the roof. However, the 1.5 v bulbs can be seen. the wires going off to the right are for the bulb in the vestibule.

If you've read past post of this blog, you know I prefer bulbs over LED's. I make my own light sticks with the bulbs pointing down and out of the wooden stick. The amount of bulb sticking out controls the amount of light. On some models the bulbs have small plastic collars made to look like the socket the bulb is screwed into to.

As long as we're on lighting, let's cover another electrical topic. The CA&E and I presume the AE&C when operating under trolley wire ran with only the pole up on the 1st car. The 600 v trolley current was bussed between the cars. This means if I intend on operating my brass model with another car, plans should be made now to attach the cars electrically.

Do not use the couplers for this!  Constant electrical contact cannot be guaranteed, instead a wire jumper will be used the same as the AE&C. Trying to set up an insulated electrical port on a brass body car is difficult. Instead a hole the size of an insulated wire was made. At the same time, a wire was attached to the trolley side of the wiring in the roof.

Note the wire from the roof passing through the brass end. This will be the wire jumper.

PAINTING 
Once the old paint is striped off the body and the body washed, it can be painted. I decided to paint the model with aerosol Rust-Oleum paint.

Before starting, the movable doors and traps were glued shut. Painting movable parts takes a long time. Even professional painters will glue parts like this shut. ACC was used for this part.

The body was first painted with Light Gray Automobile Primer. Time was taken in spraying the primer. Each coating was light to prevent over-spraying and running. The primer coat was inspected before proceeding.

The AE&C passenger equipment was painted a dark green. The exterior of the model was painted Hunter Green. Follow the instructions on the aerosol can carefully. More than one coat was required.

The parts of the model which were not intentionally sprayed dark green are the underbody and the interior including the vestibules.

The balance of the model was hand painted using Poly Scale paint. This paint is easy to use given you have master applying it with a brush. The window sashes and doors were painted D&RGW Freight Car Red. The underbody was painted Grimy Black. The vestibules were painted Zinc Chromate Primer. Finally, the interior was painted D&RGW Building Cream.

The roof was painted separately as part of its rebuilding. The exterior of the roof was painted a rust color. The interior of the roof was painted refrigerator white.

Decals were used for lettering and the car's numbers. A clear glaze was applied over the model to "lock" the decals in place.

GLAZING
The model had brass clips soldered under the windows in the main part of the interior to hold the glazing in place. To mimic glass, 0.020" thick clear styrene was installed in the main interior. 

In the vestibules the builder of the model had soldered brass U-shaped brass channel to hold the top and bottom of the glazing. Here 0.010" think clear styrene was used.

To hold the styrene in place diluted "Formula '560' Canopy Glue" was used. It was diluted with distilled water. Canopy glue is a white fluid which dries clear. If any get on the glazing where it will show, allow the glue to dry. Then, use a wet, with water, Q-Tip or other cotton swab to remove the excess glue.

INTERIOR
A sub-floor was made from 0.020" styrene. When making a sub-floor always cut it slightly smaller than the interior floor space. The smaller size will allow the sub-floor to clear any obstacles, such as the glazing, during installation or removal. To center the sub-floor during installation, you may need to use small styrene strips along the walls of the interior.

For the partition and the lavatory walls 0.040" styrene was used. Part of the partition between the smoker and the balance of the coach was cut from the original brass and incorporated into the styrene. The seats are Kiel-Line plastic flip overs.

The trainmen and passengers came from various vendors. The Dallee adjustable voltage supply can be seen tightly tucked into the lavatory.

Clear bathtub caulk was used to attach the passengers and trainmen in place.

Next comes the installation of the trucks, electrical and the roof on the model.

Cheers,

Ed

  . 

Work on CA&E 312 Continued

My reasons for re-building this beautifully constructed model are many. Unfortunately I either failed to take many photos of the reconstruction or the photos which were taken have been lost.


This post contains many tidbits about the operation of the CA&E, particularly the early years. They are the basis for my decisions regarding how my brass model was handled. For further information read many of the books, booklets, and pamphlets about the CA&E. 


My rebuilding of the model took the following into account. The early history of what eventually became the CA&E is incomplete. Many facts are known but due to a fire in the 1910's in the home office, photos and other written history were lost.


The model 312 was in a series of 6 cars (311-315) built by the G. C. Kuhlman Car Co. in 1909. The 311 and 312 were half motors. That is, they had 2 motors instead of the normal 4. Half motors were run in trains with full motors to reduce electrical costs while maintaining normal operating speeds. The half motors were used in trains with 1 or more full motor cars.


The original name of the CA&E was the Aurora Elgin and Chicago RR (AE&C). The railroad was originally built with the idea of competing with the CB&Q for traffic between Aurora and Chicago. The track from Chicago to Wheaton to Aurora was the main line. Any track to another location was a branch. Therefore, although Elgin later became as important as Aurora, the track to Elgin was a branch, called the "Elgin Branch"!


Parlor-buffet service was initiated in 1904. The parlor-buffet car Carolyn, although built after the original series of cars, was built much to the standards of the original cars. The Florence was built in 1906 and was slightly longer then the cars built before it. The Carolyn was a trailer while the Florence was a half-motor. Due to the aforementioned fire few photos of either cars exists. Most of the photos of the Florence were taken after an accident involving the car in 1919.


One thing to note - the caption for the photo on the bottom of page II-40 in the C.E.R.A. Bulletin 105, "The Great Third Rail" is misleading. The Florence is NOT the leading car of the 2-car train. The Florence is the second car of the train. Count the number and type of  windows in the sides of both cars. The number and style of the second car match the number and style of the Florence.


The caption for the photos of the Florence on the bottom of page II-41 of the same booklet is correct. Note the number and style of windows showing. Compare your count of windows to the photo on the prior page.


If you look at the AE&C's passenger equipment, with each order of cars the AE&C was learning and ordering "better" equipment. The original equipment was the same length as a MET "L" car and without a lavatory.. The word "better" was used since the AE&C order cars while being longer the additional length was used to have a lavatory and/or more seats. The AE&C was learning how to deal with curves on the "L" and the effects of the curves on the length of their equipment.


At the same time the AE&C was experimenting with methods of showing the public what the destination and class a particular train was. Most interurbans used destination signs to accomplish this. The AE&C used other methods with their wooden cars. One set of cars came from the builder with a small rectangular box below the motorman's window. 


The 1909 Kuhlman cars of which my brass model is, came with a small white lamp below the motorman's window. Installed above and below the lamp were metal panels hinged so to act as flip panels. One the panels were printed the destination and the class of the train. The purpose of the small white lamp was to illuminate the metal panels. How well this worked is questionable. 

This is a photo of the finished model. Lighting at the time the photo was taken caused unusual color distortions. The reason for the reasons for the destination and class of train will be covered later. Notice the door knob plus the small step on the door frame to reach the 600 v buss.

So my brass model came with the white lamp and the non-working flip panels. The panels were soldered to the end of the car. I could not remove them and therefore had to deal with them in any choice of re-working the model.


Another items I had to deal with was a headlight soldered to the lower portion of the end door. I had no intention of removing the headlight and rebuilding the door panel. This is what the door panel looked like on the back of the model. 

This is a photo of the finished model. Lighting at the time the photo was taken caused unusual color distortions.

The headlight meant the train was to be run after sunset and before sunrise. The AE&C did not run train with headlights while the sun was up unless the weather warranted it, for example, during days of heavy clouds and thundershowers.


One more consideration was my model was made with the upper arched sash as the car was delivered.

Considering all the above my model had to painted in the colors of the AE&C, dark green with mahogany doors and window sashes. The headlight and destination/class lamp had to be working. The car could not be numbered 312 unless it was in a train with cars having 4 motors. Therefore, my model was renumbered 314.


After looking at the photo on the bottom of page II-40 in the C.E.R.A. Bulletin 105, "The Great Third Rail" I decided to make my brass model one of the 2 cars in the photo. All I would need is a model of the Florence. The train would be a full motor car plus a half motor.


More to come. Cheers,
Ed


.

The Start of Year 2013

Thus far Year 2013 has not started off too well. However, two CA&E models have been completed. One of them is a model I've had for a number of years. The other was commissioned as a body and completed by me as an adjunct to the other.


Before going further, as work was being done with AEFRE #49, I had some problems. To resolve these a professional model maker is being consulted. More on this later in future posts.


Many years ago, perhaps in the 1970's, All Nation Hobby Shop had a small number of scratch built brass O scale traction models for sale. Due to the length of time between when the models were available and my ability to find out more about them, "stories" changed with the dimming of memories. 


Unfortunately All Nation Hobby Shop never disclosed who scratch built the 4 models.


The story goes, there were 4 models, in no particular order - Model #1, obtained by me, a completed CA&E #312 Kuhlman powered with 4 Multi-Units painted in the "coffee and cream" color scheme of the 1930's. The side passenger doors opened as well as the traps. The paint was "marred" with what looked like oil stains.

This is the model before striping of the paint started. Some of the discoloration can be seen on the letterboard.

Model #2 Now owned by a modeler on the West Coast, a completed CA&E # 315 Kuhlman powered with 4 Multi-Units painted in the "coffee and cream" color scheme of the 1930's. The side passenger doors opened as well as the traps.


Model #3 Now owned by a modeler who lives in Chicago, a completed CA&E unknown car number Cincinnati Car Co.  unpowered painted in the "coffee and cream" color scheme of the 1930's. The side passenger doors opened as well as the traps.


Model #4 Now owned by a modeler in Wisconsin, a completed painted TMER&L car the Mendota which was originally powered  with Multi-Units. The side passenger doors opened as well as the traps.


Back to my model, besides the spoiled paint scheme, the lettering was wrong, and the Multi-Units, while still running were starting to show their age. Whoever scratch built the model did a fantastic job down to a complete underbody and clips to hold the glazing in place. The roof is of a true clerestory design with large frosted white "pea" bulbs.


Those of you who have scratch-built a model know there is a point where having everything down to scale is impossible. You can have parts the exact scale size but they break or break off at the slightest touch.  The builder of this model had just reached this point. To prevent solder joints from coming apart, some items were made into sub-assemblies and attached with screws.

As you can see the underbody includes all the air and brake piping found under an interurban. The mounting for the coupler can be seen. Unfortunately the pilots were mounted using brass of prototype cross section and were too fragile. The pilots will be replaced with lost was castings. The 2 large holes in the floor were for the wiring to the Multi-Units. Other detail can be seen. Much of the underbody detail is mounted using small screws.

The other "problem", if it could be called that, were the use of soft metal cast seats. This made for an extremely heavy model. The seats were glued to the floor.


 It was obvious a complete rebuilding was in order. The model was taken apart with the parts stored in various labeled containers. As a hint, no longer used, empty plastic prescription containers are great.



The model came with Kemtron, now Precision Scale Co., Baldwin 7830 sideframes. I know these series of cars used 8440 sideframes, but few individuals will be able to pick out the difference. The Multi-Units were take out and the sideframes sent off to Q-Car Co. to have new power units installed.

These are the power trucks as rebuilt by Q-Car. The model is to be double powered due to the weight of the brass model with interior plus the potential weight of the trailer. The star burst journal lids were available in the past.

Once the model was dissembled, the body was placed in a container of paint remover for a few days. Follow the instructions to the "letter of the law" to get best results. Wear chemical resistant gloves during the paint removal and clean-up process. Use small brass brushes to scrape the paint-paint remover "yuck" off of the body. Completely clean out the interior of the model also.


As the paint removal process was underway I discovered the partition between the smoking and non-smoking sections and the lavatory while made from brass were glued in place.


When done removing the paint-paint remover "yuck" from the body clean up the body with hot soapy water and allowed to dry.  Strain the used paint remover and/or dilute it with enough water so you can see any small parts!


One giant word of CAUTION - During the paint removal process and the following cleaning of the model plus the disposal of the used paint remover - be aware of any parts which may have fallen off the model.  


The small pieces of milled brass used for the anticlimbers on the ends of the model were found in the "washings" from the container of  paint remover. The 2 anticlimbers had been glued on to the ends of the car.


More to come! Cheers,
Ed

Jean Deschenes July 11, 1932 - March 1, 2013

The following message was received on Saturday March 2, 2013 via email from Jean's wife Nancy,

"I am sorry to tell you that Jean passed away yesterday after spending over 2 weeks in the hospital with Legionaries Disease. He enjoyed knowing you and doing business with you over the years." 



Jean and I first met at an East Penn Traction Club Meeting. Jean had scratch built a model of the CSS&SB 1100 line car along with the a companion reel car for himself. 

Being a fan of the CSS I asked Jean to build a model of the 1100 for me. 

This was the start of a long friendship in which Jean scratch built a few models for me. Jean's style of building models was with the roofs attached to the sides of the car. The floors were removable. Car interiors were either attached to the floors and/or built on false floors which were attached to the sides of the model. He would often make the entire interior from wood, including the seats.


I prefer models where the roofs removable and the sides attached to the floor. Jean was flexible and adaptable in what he did.  He would be sent a list of very specific instructions with plans and photos along with the parts and sometimes sub-assemblies for the model.  The parts included lost wax or soft metal castings while others were made from epoxy or plastic.



Jean painted models with a brush using artist acrylic paint purchased from the local Micheal's store. His brush strokes were so even and well applied, it was extremely difficult to tell the model was not air brush spray painted.


Jean was always up for a challenge.  A model of the CA&E #11 line car was requested. I didn't have plans but instead only photos. To me this model best demonstates Jean's talents.


Jean painted #11 in the final painted scheme as was the prototype. 

Jean included what he thought the interior of a line car should have.

Photos taken through the rear door window of the model.

The side doors could be closed just in case it was too cold outside.

Jean included all the roof detail with a working, rotating platform for the line crew. The sides of the platform open up.

Jean did all the work you saw in the photos with the exception of a method of attaching the roof to the model


Because of my requirement for the  roof to be removable, Jean shipped the "finished" model to me to have the balance of the electrical connections completed and well as a method of anchoring the roof to the balance of the model.


Jean had a dry humor. All I had to do is to mention three words to him - "Old Orchard Beach". This would provide 5 to 10 minutes of comments. It is one of those things you had to have experienced for Jean's comments to make sense.


Jean and Nancy would go on vacation by taking a sailing cruise on one of the schooners which would travel in and about the islands off the coast of Maine. Besides making model of trolley he also made ship and other models.


As taken from Jean obituary notice, "The family requests that flowers be omitted and a donation made to THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF GRAFTON, 30 GRAFTON COMMON, GRAFTON, MA 01519."


Jean may you have "Fair Winds and Following Seas".


Cheers,
Ed



























  

Bill Olson December 9, 1927 - February 11, 2013

Bill Olsen trolley modeler of Minneapolis, MN passed away on February 11, 2013. Bill had suffered with Parkinson’s disease for some years and it gradually caused weakness, loss of motor skills and even communication. 

Quoting Dick Stonner, "Bill was the kindest, most gentle guy I have known. I never saw him angry and whenever things were not going right his usual comment was ”Oh dear God!” He willingly gave of his time, skills, and money to many causes and was a generous supporter of the Minnesota Streetcar Museum and his church.

"He helped many new modelers with information, guidance, parts and kits from his vast stock of trolley stuff. All of us local modelers often gathered at his house for model work, videos and treats. He was the driving force behind the building of our twenty section O gauge trolley modules. He was very social and loved going out for lunch and sometime during the meal he would remark 'My, this is good.' Yep, food was a delight to Bill and oh yeah, dessert (which he called a trifle was always part of the occasion."

Bill would show up with small, well detailed O scale trolley layouts. The models ran perfectly on the layout. The scenery on the layout was so great, it was easy to forget you were watching  a layout 36" square or smaller.


Bill would always challenge you to do the same or better. We will all miss Bill. Please feel free to post any comments you may have about Bill Olson.