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HUB HeadlightHUB Division Inc., Northeastern Region, National Model Railroad Association - www.hubdiv.org

Volume 38, Number 2, November - December, 2021

RAILFUN TIMETABLE

Also Inside This Issue

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How I learned to stopworrying and love

TrainTech (nee DCC) -"Phase 3"

By Jerry Grochow

I have officially changed the title of thisseries – it’s not just about DCC, butabout the broader topic of “Train-

Tech!” I first wrote about my experiencelearning about DCC (my “Phase 0”) in2018 (Headlight Vol. 35, Number 1), andfollowed-up in 2019 (Headlight Vol. 36,Number 1) and 2020 (Headlight Vol. 37,Number 1) as I got my modest-sized (read:“very small”) HO layout up and running.During “The Year of the Lockdown,” Iadded some more functions and alsoexperimented with new, faster microcon-trollers communicating over WiFi – thatis, I focused on more TrainTech!

To review: My layout uses a SPROG3DCC command station, connected to a PCrunning the open-source JMRI software.I use iPhones and iPads running theWiThrottle app as throttles, both locallyand from a thousand miles away (thegrandkids love controlling the trains!). Ihave five arduinos monitoring sensors andcontrolling turnouts and animations, emu-lating C/MRI nodes and connected to thePC using the RS-485 protocol. The RS-

Page 2......The President’s CarPage 2......Shanty TalkPage 8......Erich’s Electronics NotebookPage 9......An In-Person NER Convention Actu-

ally Happened!Page 10....HUB Holiday PartyPage 10....Fall Layout Tour and Open HousesPage 11....HUB LeadershipPage 12....Calendar of Events

Presentation: Lineside SignalsBy James van Bokkelen

8 PM Friday, January 21, 2022, Motherbrook Artsand Community Center, 123 High St, Dedham, MA 02026

James will present a computer slide show about engineering, designing and buildingautomatic block and interlocking signals for his DC/DCC layout. The signalsdon't require a computer, can be installed location by location and are debugged

with a voltmeter. The presentation covers the selection and use of commercialcomponents, how to implement basic ABS and interlocking logic, communicationbetween signal locations and discussion of modeling searchlight, mast and dwarfsignals following B&M / MEC practice and rule books. James will then go into detailabout construction and details of a searchlight signal. He will bring along examplesof parts used to build the signals, and one or more signals with the plug-in mount.

RAILFUN Updates or cancellations will be posted on the division website (www.hubdiv.org) andissued via the HUB email list and via Constant Contact.

Hands On: MOS Update and Wiring 101: CablesBy David “Shack” Haralambou

8 PM Friday, November 19, 2021, Motherbrook Artsand Community Center, 123 High St, Dedham, MA 02026

This will be our second meeting in Dedham Center. Our Museum of Science(MOS) Coordinator, David “Shack” Haralambou, will give us new updates onour recently extended five-year Museum of Science project. He will then

explain how electrical cables work and how to use them on our layouts includinglooking at all the different types of cable available, what the different specificationsmean, and how to pick the right cable for the job. We will cover all the basic cabletypes used on our layout. Then we will look at connectors and use the hands-on portionof our clinic to learn how to put them on including: Cat6 connectors, Power poles,spade connectors and more.

Summer ‘21By Robert Manna

This summer my familyand I decided to head outwest for a month-long

road-trip, visiting a number ofnational parks and monumentsalong the way and enjoyingcamping in the great outdoors!It’s impossible to head west andnot see and enjoy trains (some-what to my wife’s chagrin). Far left: Georgetown Loop locomotive 111

approaches after passing under the trestle.Left: Rob’s children in front of D&SNGR Loco-motive 480

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THEPRESIDENT’S

CAR

I want to give my special thanks to PeteWatson, his convention committee andvolunteers for a great job on the Mill City21 NER Convention that was held lastmonth in Westford, Massachusetts. It wasa great success and, in talking to theattendees, I found that they had greatpraises for the committee.

We have a new venue for RAILFUN inDedham, Massachusetts. Andy Reynoldshas negotiated with the Motherbrook Artsand Community Center for us to meetthere on the third Friday of the month.Please check the calendar and Headlightfor further information.

Volunteers Wanted: As I have mentionedin the past, without volunteers organiza-tions will not survive. With that in mind,we are looking for prospective membersinterested in running for the Board ofDirectors (BoD). If you think you wouldlike to run, please talk to one of thesecurrent BoD members: Erich Whitney,Pete Higgins or myself.

For upcoming events, please check thecalendar and Headlight for specific events,meetings and any social gatherings.

By Manny Escobar

Fall is upon us and with Thanksgiv-ing on its heels, we still have a lotto do to get things back to normal.

This has been a hard year for many, manyreasons, not the least of which is the lossof fellowship at in-person meets, layouttours, op sessions, and such. As I attendedsome of our most recent events (a modulardisplay, Railfun and NER Convention), Irealized that a lot of our members stillquestion the in-person events and are notvolunteering or participating. Despite itall the HUB Division has been active. Iam proud that we have been able tomaintain events throughout this time, andwe are working on future events andexhibits for the upcoming months, so staytuned. If you are a HUB member and havenot yet volunteered or joined us for anin-person event, I encourage you to giveit a try.

On another note, I mentioned earlier in theseason that we are planning a committeeto create a Mentor Program. We wouldlike to connect those who have knowledgeor expertise with others in the hobby andorganization who are looking for somehelp, guidance, and encouragement. Toassist in this, please look for a survey inthe near future.

So, as we enter winter and the approachingholiday season during these challengingtimes, I am thankful for the opportunitiesI have had to interact and share the hobbywith fellow HUB members and friends.I'm asking all HUB members to considerthe Division as part of their annual giving.There are so many worthy groups in needof support that it may seem hard to add usto that list. However, if at all possible, anycontributions to the HUB Division willenhance what we're able to accomplish.If you choose to make a contribution, weare a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organi-zation so your donation could be taxdeductible. Check with your tax advisor.Please contact treasurer Gerry Covinowith any questions you may have attreasurer@hubdiv.org.

“Keep ‘Em Rolling”

If you’ve been reading my columnlately, you’ll know that I’ve beenbuilding a few different models and

not all of them are trains themselves. Insome cases, they are trucks, the competi-tors of railroads, but in others they’re localdelivery vehicles carrying goods betweenthe rails and customers in places the railsdon’t go. I’ve just completed a JordanProducts 1926 Essex Coach and gotten anew-found appreciation for those whomodel vehicles in HO scale. I found it oneof the most challenging plastic kits I’veever put together with its tiny separatedetails. In fact, I’m beginning to question

my choice to begin a 1923 Mack Staketruck (another Jordan Product)!

As I was choosing paints from my inven-tory, I ran across some paint bottles with“My Dads Trains” price stickers andimmediately thought of the late GeorgeThompson. He started a model train shopin the town of Wrentham (just down thestreet from me) and built up quite aninventory before he passed on. While alltraces of George and his shop are gone,my memories of him remain. He wasn’tjust a hobby shop owner, dealer andmodeler belonging to the HUB Division,he was an early member of the CoastalMountain Railroad. When he opened hisshop in a two-car garage-barn like struc-ture, he provided the space for a group oflike-minded module owners to meetweekly and further their model railroadinghobby. Members like Lyle Sorensontaught us all how to model rocks, waterand trees in realistic scenery vignettes, andMark Harlow helped bring our modulesup to the latest wiring specifications for

HUB Division modules. Occasionallywe’d work on repairs to HUB modulestuff. George also bought a trailer so wecould store and haul the group’s modulesand equipment to shows throughout NewEngland.

I had a special modeling relationship withGeorge and one of the things he liked todo was give me a new kit or item to buildand see how it turned out. It gave me goodpractice and the impetus to experiment.In many cases I gave George the com-pleted item back for use on his ownRailroad. However, if I liked how the kitturned out, I would purchase one andduplicate the nifty little project for myself.A couple of examples for George includedan awful dayglo pink pick-up truck and awhite metal kit for a late-teens-early 20sKleiber stake-truck body. Well, I spraypainted that pick-up a dark green, added arack and some welding equipment andgave it to George along with a small

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ShantyTalk:

Old and NewBy Rudy Slovacek

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family summer home and Georgewas our cook. His recipe forfall-off-the-bone Bar-B-Quechicken was to die for. WeCoastal members used to sayevery trip was an adventure andwe rode the rails on our stom-achs. We always ate well, andthe tradition continued when BillPowers joined the group – butthat is a story for another time.George’s own daughter, Marsha,helped out at shows with hismerchandise displays and evenrecruited local high school girls in busi-ness classes to help with sales to custom-ers. Together, George and Marsha built acorner module with housing lots onswampland. It is one of the present-daymodules anchoring the Coastal MountainRailroad.

George had a unique sense ofhumor and he enjoyed shockingpeople with it. As I recall, it wasour second invited trip to displayat Boothbay Railway Village andwe were to set up in the newlyrenovated old Chapel building.We had also invited Tim Byrneand Jerry Ross to bring theirRogers Yard to set up with us.We got there first, and MarkHarlow had brought some sparelegs we could saw to length sincea foot-high stage sat in part of theroom. When Jerry and Tim

walked in, George told them, quite matter-of-factly, that, we would simply cut theirmodule legs down to size. After theirmouths dropped open, we informed themGeorge was kidding and, that we hadactually brought materials for that pur-pose. One had to know George to under-stand his unconventional sense of humor.George was my friend and I miss him.

While at the Mill City 21 Convention, Imet a few other old friends, still with us,who I hadn’t seen since the pandemicbegan. I spoke with Gerry Covino and hislovely wife, Rosemary, who gave a clinicthere. I also met Mark and JoannieHarlow for lunch and a chat. MalcolmHouck and I later traded stories of ourearly memories dealing with coal-firedfurnaces for home heating (see Figure 2)before his clinic on O&W steam engines.Like the D&H, the O&W used the slower-

burning anthracite in wide Wooten fireboxlocomotives with a center cab. ChuckDiljak showed me how to make grab ironsfor scratch points and gave a clinic onAnthracite Mines in the Wyoming Valleyof Pennsylvania. As a D&H fan, this wasall near and dear to my heart. My friendJim Heidt gave an interesting clinic on“Researching Consignees / Shippers forfun and Profit” to add to our operationsbased on some real-life data. Jim’s familyactually owned a small railroad servingthe port of Ogdensburg after the Rutlandshut down.

Also, I made a new acquaintance withLewis White when I operated on hisbeautiful Bellows Falls layout at the Con-vention center itself. The modeling wassuperb and captured the feel of the steam-to-diesel transition of that location on theRutland during the early 50s. After myoperation session, we just sat and talkedabout our interests and how the modulescame to be as part of an earlier conventioneffort by several people. Now he virtuallysets up and runs the display himself. Healso does custom DCC decoder installa-tions with sound. His favorite decodersare the Sound Tracks Tsumani series.Imagine that, a man after my own heart.Anyhow, it was great to meet a kindredspirit in our interests. I’d say it was asuccessful Convention and I’m glad Iwent. I’ve had a little modeling camara-derie for the moment and will get back tomy workspace in the basement. I thinkmy next project will be one of those butterdish milk cars I picked up from Funaroand Camerlengo.

Bye for now and if this Covid pandemicsettles down a bit perhaps you will see meat our New England Model Train Expo inDecember.

Figure 1: Kleiber kit truck helps period-date my diorama

homemade circuit for a flashing welder orcutting touch so he could park it alongsidean old NP engine or passenger car beingscraped outside the roundhouse on hisloop module. I’ve subsequently madeseveral such trucks with welding equip-ment for myself.

I returned the finished Kleiber truck to aplace in front of an old AHM freight housemissing the platform roof, but to which Iadded men working to build a new roofframe from raw lumber. These pieceshelped to make it one fine looking andunique rural mountain module for George.Meanwhile, I bought one of those Kleiberkits for myself and a finished truck is nowused to period-date my diorama for pho-tography purposes. See Figure 1.

Back in the late 80s, early 90s, Tim Byrneinvited us up to run the Coastal modulesat the Father’s Day show held at theNarrow-Gauge Museum, then located inPortland. George called me early themorning of our trip and informed me hecouldn’t bring his module because intrying to load it himself he dropped it andchipped some plaster. He was mortifiedfor he thought it would ruin our display.I assured him all was ok and brought asmall film can of dilute India Ink thattouched up the damage nicely. George’swife, Vira, was handy with a needle andthread and made teddy bear engineers.She had a sweet spot for my daughterCaitlyn, who was around six or seven atthe time. When Caitlyn graduated highschool, it was George who prepared thebarbecue chicken. Whenever the Coastalwent up to Vermont, railfanning the GreenMountain Railroad, we stayed at Lyle’s

Shanty Talk(Continued from Page 2)

Figure 2: Coal dealer on my diorama

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485 “layout control bus” is two wiresconnecting my arduinos, each of whichhave a $2 TTL-to-RS485 module, to myPC with a $5 RS485-to-USB convertermodule in a “daisy chain” configuration.Figure 1 shows my layout electronicsdiagram. The arduinos connect to thelisted layout objects (turnout switchmachines, crossing gates, signals, sensors,lights, other automations).

Having conquered the use of arduinosunder C/MRI and JMRI (actually not thatdifficult), and wanting to expand sensorcoverage and animations, this year Iexplored how to do this without runningtoo many more wires, both the wires fromobjects on the layout to the arduinos (the“object controllers”), and the wires fromthe arduinos to the computer runningJMRI (the RS-485 bus).

I had already been dealing with the firstissue by using many arduinos, each onelocated near the objects it was controlling,rather than having one or two centrallylocated devices controlling everything assome people do. While I could use asingle arduino ($5 plus the cost of occu-pancy sensors) to monitor 16 blocks (triplethat using an arduino Mega for $12), Ichoose instead to have each one monitortwo or three and spread them around thelayout – still at significantly lower totalcost than commercial occupancy sensors(such as the popular Digitrax BDL-168 for$150). Of course, the trade-off comes inthe relative “plug and play” of commercialproducts versus programming the ardui-

How I learned to stopworrying and love

TrainTech "Phase 3"(Continued from Page 1)

nos. For me, and agrowing group ofother modelers,that’s a trade-off weare willing to make(although there aresuppliers, like ModelRailroad ControlSystems, thatprovide the program-ming too).

Solving the secondwiring issue, wiresfrom the arduinos to the computer, wouldrequire going to some form of wirelesscommunication, either Bluetooth or WiFi.Wireless modules are available for thearduino, along with software to talk toyour PC (or Mac) so this was certainly apossibility. As you will see, I went a littlefurther in coming up with a solution.

My Journey Beyond the Arduino

Arduino add-ons (called “shields”) pro-viding WiFi or Bluetooth capability areavailable for a few dollars so definitelywithin my budget and a viable approachfor the next phase of my layout electron-ics. I also discovered microcontrollermodules based on the ESP32 processorfrom Expressif Systems, compatible witharduino programming, that alreadyinclude WiFi and Bluetooth capabilitiesfor about the same cost as anarduino+WiFi shield. The ESP32 has twoCPUs (which means advanced program-mers can program two tasks to run simul-taneously), operates at processor speedsup to 10 times the arduino, has almostdouble the number of I/O pins as most

arduinos (making it more flexible than thearduino), and a host of built-in sensors. Aprice of around $6 (from China via eBay)made it an easy choice to order a couple.

The ESP32 can be programmed using thesame integrated development environment(IDE) as the arduino and use many of thesame libraries, as well as some that arespecific to the ESP32. This made itrelatively easy to convert programs (called“sketches”) I’d already written for thearduino. About three-quarters of the codewas “reused” by the time I was done.

A Technical Digression…

Since I already had the code for myarduinos to emulate C/MRI nodes over myRS-485 layout control bus, I first tried toport these to the ESP32 and convert themto use WiFi. Adding WiFi to the sketchwas easy: just “include” the WiFi libraryand some initialization code. However,my attempts at using JMRI’s C/MRI-over-TCP/IP capability (the protocol used fornetwork connectivity over WiFi) wereonly partially successful.

JMRI allows you to specify whether youare using C/MRI over a USB port or overWiFi by changing the “System connec-tion” parameter. When using RS-485, allyour microcontrollers are connected viathe same USB port so you only define asingle connection to JMRI. Using the“Network Interface,” you specify the IPaddress for each microcontroller with aseparate JMRI connection, as shown in thescreen shot in Figure 4.

Taking this approach also meant that the“system name” of each turnout, light, orsensor defined to JMRI would have a“connection prefix” based on which

Figure 1: My Layout Electronics

Figure 2: Arduino Connections to Objects on theLayout

Figure 3: ESP32 Module vs NMRA MembershipCard (Continued on Page 5)

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microcontroller it was connected to (allobjects must have a system name butJMRI also allows you to set up moreuser-friendly “user names” and those canbe anything you want). A sensor con-nected to a wired microcontroller emulat-ing C/MRI Node #6 might have systemname CS6001. Using WiFi with multipleC/MRI connections, it would be known asC6S6001. The process you go through tochange a system name requires creatingnew JMRI sensor table entries under thenew system names and “moving” the usernames from the old ones. It’s a little bitof work, but not insurmountable.

The bigger problem was that JMRI didn’twant to poll my microcontroller the wayit did when they were connected via wires.The C/MRI protocol uses a “leader-fol-lower” approach where the leader (in thiscase, the computer running JMRI) pollsthe followers in turn to see if they haveanything to report. Under normal opera-tion, JMRI polls each C/MRI connectednode multiple times a second starting assoon as sensors controlled by C/MRI aredefined to JMRI. What I found, however,was that JMRI wasn’t automaticallypolling until I specifically started it foreach different connection. Again, this isnot a huge problem, but it’s still an annoy-ance (which is being analyzed by some ofthe many folks who contribute their skillsto maintaining JMRI).

My next attempt was to use direct TCP/IPcommunications rather than using JMRI’sbuilt-in C/MRI capabilities. Rather thanusing the established C/MRI protocol, Iwould in effect be designing my owncommunication protocol to use betweenJMRI and my layout. This is not a task tobe undertaken lightly. This approachrequired modifying one of the sampleprograms provided to extend the baseJMRI. These programs, called “scripts,”are written in Jython, a Java-based variantof Python, that comes with JMRI. WhileI was able to make this work (in theprocess designing my own, admittedly notvery robust, communications protocol),there was an issue if the microcontrollerlost connectivity for some reason, causing

JMRI to generate anerror. On the adviceof other members ofthe JMRI commu-nity, I abandonedthis approach infavor of usinganother supportedcommunication pro-tocol called MQTT.MQTT uses a “pub-l i s h - s u b s c r i b e ”approach that is con-sidered more flexiblethan the leader-fol-lower approach ofC/MRI as manydevices can sub-scribe (receive) the same message. Thismakes it possible to design multiplecontrol panels in large layouts that receivethe same messages as the layout objectcontrollers. MQTT support in JMRI iseasy to implement and quite robust and iswhat I am using today.

My Current Layout Control System

So my TrainTech Phase 3 added ESP32sto monitor more block sensors and controllights and animations using the MQTTprotocol. I haven’t replaced any of thearduinos (yet) but I might in the future.Figure 5 is my layout electronics diagramfor this year. It may not seem muchdifferent from my previous diagram(Figure 1), but it is miles ahead in termsof possibilities!

Conclusion

Control of layout objects such as turnouts,signals, lights, and animations is a keycomponent of many model railroads.Many approaches to developing a layoutcontrol system have been created over thepast 20 years (C/MRI is over 20 years oldand MQTT about the same) and most arestill actively evolving. I implementedmine at the right price point (low) but itrequired some experimentation and pro-gramming. Others may find it moreexpedient to buy one or more of the manycommercial layout control products on themarket (with more coming every year).To me, getting “hands-on” with TrainTechis as much a part of model railroading aslayout planning, scenery building, and adozen other aspects of the world’s greatesthobby. Whether this is your primaryinterest or just a necessary evil, TrainTechis driving our railroads into the future andI, for one, can’t wait to see what that futurebrings.

Figure 4: Multiple C/MRI with TCP/IP Connections to JMRI

Figure 5: Phase 3 Expanded Layout Electronics

How I learned to stopworrying and love

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Crossing Wyoming was the first real opportunity to encounterand see trains. We caught several BNSF drags, coal and mixedfreight from the highway as we headed west out of the BlackHills, SD.

In Thermopolis, WY, we stopped to check out the hot springsthat were also conveniently located to grab some shots of amixed freight following the Bighorn River north towardsBillings, MT.

After central Wyoming there wasn’t much more to see, being inYellowstone & Jackson Hole and headed south. When we hitGrand Junction, CO, we found what appeared to be a graveyardof UP Dash 9’s, likely put out to pasture due to their carbonemission rates.

Summer ‘21(Continued from Page 1)

Heading further south, we swung through Silverton, on our wayto Durango where, in addition to the narrow-gauge equipment,we spotted a house built from two standard-gauge cabooses! Ofcourse, we proceeded to ride the Durango and Silverton as faras Cascade Station and back, which was still a five-hour trip.While narrow-gauge of course refers to the spacing of the track;if you’ve never been, you should not under-estimate howNARROW the D&SNGR right-of-way is; the phrase “keep yourhands and head inside the train car” takes on new meaning onthis ride!

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Summer ‘21(Continued from Page 6)

Turning east, we saw a few random rail cars along the way beforearriving in the greater Denver area. Since the Georgetown LoopRailroad was a mere hour from where we were staying, and notthe 3/4 day investment of D&SNGR, we of course decided tohop the hour-long ride out and back from Georgetown. Whileit was a bit damp, we were only a few cars behind locomotive111 (the only running steam that day) and really got to experi-ence it working the grade! The Georgetown trestle is impressive,and it is a fun, short ride (at a mere 9,000’+).

Crossing Kansas, and even into the Midwest, we didn’t see muchmore in the way of trains (I-70 as far as Columbus. OH). Whilebiking in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH, we did seethe Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad pass through with FPA-14#6771 on the head. Unfortunately, the bike & ride schedule

didn’t work in our favor so a quick pass in Boston Mills was allwe got.

After that, crossing the southern tier of New York is a bit lackingin trains and then we were home again in eastern Mass.

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At this point, you might be asking why you would use one ofthese. This board is a very small version of an old-time toolcalled a Decade Resistor Box (see Figure 3). The term decadecomes from the fact that each control is a factor of ten. Thereare many different types of these boxes with different ranges ofresistance and different power capacity for a variety of applica-tions. Traditional decade boxes like the one shown are consid-erably more expensive than $6.95.

The application relevant tomodel railroading that caughtmy eye when I saw the adver-tisement is for selecting aresistor value for an LED toget the brightness I want. In aprevious column I talkedabout how to go about calcu-lating the series current-limit-ing resistor for LEDs. Whatmy resistor calculations don’ttell you is how the LED willlook with a given resistor.LED brightness varies quite a bit for any two of the same colorand even more between different colors. White and blue LEDstend to be very bright at a modest amount of current while olderred LEDs can be very dim at that same amount of current. Youcan certainly adjust the overall brightness of your LEDs byvarying the power supply voltage but if you have many LEDsconnected to the same power supply, you need to use thecurrent-limiting resistor to adjust the brightness. I don’t wantto go off on a tangent about LEDs again, but just remember thatthese little devices are non-linear which means they turn on atsome small amount of current and while increasing the currentwill make them brighter, don’t assume that if you double thecurrent you double the brightness (hence, non-linear).

You can certainly get a variety pack of resistors and try themuntil you get something that works. But that can be timeconsuming and a little frustrating. With this simple resistorsubstitution board, you can set the jumpers to a value close towhat your LED calculations tell you it should be, then adjust thevalue up or down depending on how you like the brightness.

All you need to do this is:1) A DC power supply, either variable or fixed.2) The resistor substitution board3) A collection of candidate LEDs for your application4) A small amount of hook-up wire

By Erich Whitney

Which Resistor Value?As we begin to get more active, in what I hope is a slow butsteady return to something resembling normal, I’m finding thatI have so many projects I want to work on but there just neverseems to be enough time. I am going to shift the focus of thiscolumn to a collection of topics that aren’t large projects buthopefully answer questions that some of you may have. Asalways, I’d love it if you’d send me questions.

The other day, I fell victim to an email advertisement from oneof my electronics suppliers. This email inspired two ideas fortopics to write about, the first one being this column about ahandy resistor substitution board and in my next column, I’mgoing to do a deep dive about how I buy electronics components,where I get them, and why.

The product I want to tell you about is the “36837 RS” ResistorSubstitution Board from Marlin P. Jones(https://www.mpja.com/Resistor-Subststution-Board-01-Ohm-_-99999999-Ohms/productinfo/36837+RS/), $6.95 at the timeI am writing this, see Figure 1. This is a very simple board thathas 72 surface-mount resistors, 80 jumper positions, and a screwterminal block. The jumpers let you select a resistor value from0.1 ohms to 9,999,999.9 ohms. As shown in the picture, all thejumpers are set to zero so the resistance at the screw terminalwould be a dead-short. This is probably not what you want.Think of each column of jumpers as a digit in the value of theresistance. Figure 2 shows a close-up of the jumpers. Eachcolumn has 10 jumpers, marked 0-9. At the top of each columnis the resistor multiplier (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 10K, 100K, 1M). Byplacing the jumpers in the correct position, you can program anyvalue in the range, 0.1 to 9,999,999.9 ohms, seven places to theleft of the decimal point and one place to the right of the decimalpoint.

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Figure 2: Close-up of jumpers (image from mpja.com)

Figure 1: Marlin P. Jones Resistor Substitution Board (image frommpja.com)

Figure 3: A Traditional Decade Box(image from google.com)

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You can use a battery or a power pack or whatever you have.Just remember to use the same voltage for your test that the LEDwill be connected to in the application for which you’re testing.For example, if you want to test an LED that you’re planning onconnecting to a decoder, either measure the LED output voltageon the decoder (usually about 12 volts) or you can simply bringout a pair of LED wires from the decoder and connect it up toyour DCC system, turn on that LED function output and use thatas your power supply. I prefer to use a variable output benchsupply and set it to the voltage that I measured on the decoder.Figure 4 shows this simple test setup using a 12V bench supply,the resistor substitution board, and an LED. Figure 5 shows howto identify the leads of a discrete LED. There are a few cluesused but at least one of the following features will help youidentify which lead is which. The negative lead is on the sidethat’s flat, it’s shorter, and if you see inside the plastic, the insidemetal is larger. If you’re trying to use surface mount LEDs, mybest advice is to get yourself a meter that has an LED test feature.Most digital meters have this, and the LED will light very dimlywhen connected correctly. The positive lead of the meter willbe the positive side of the LED.

Figure 5 Discrete LED polarity(image from google.com)

To review the calculation for agood starting value for the resistor, do the following. If you canget the specification for the LED, it should tell you two things,the forward voltage, and the forward current. Let’s say theseare 1 volt and 10 milliamps respectively. If using this LED witha 12-volt power supply, the resistor value would be:

If you only know the forward current of the LED, you can justuse the supply voltage:

And if you don’t know either of these values, just use 10milliamps as a guess and play with the resistor value. Here’s aneasy-to-use online calculator that Jeff Gerow pointed out to me:

Erich’s Electronic Notebook(Continued from Page 8)

https://www.hobby-hour.com/electronics/ledcalc.php. The nicething about this calculator is that it finds the nearest standardresistor value available. That is one thing about using the resistorsubstitution board — you can select a resistor value but you maynot be able to find one that’s readily available. When you go toorder your resistors, you can see which value is closest to thevalue you chose and then you can test that value to decide if youwant to go up or down to the next available resistor.

One final comment on using the resistor substitution board thatI want to mention again. By default, if you leave all the resistorsin the default “0” position, the resistance will be zero! Do NOTstart with this because your LED will burn out long beforeyou’ve realized your mistake and it will be useless. You canalso set the resistor value to 2,200 ohms to start and just aboutany LED will light at 12 volts with this value. I find thatdepending on the supply voltage and the LED color, typicalresistor values between 100 ohms and 2,200 ohms are common.

I hope you found this interesting and maybe even useful. At therisk of sounding like a broken record, please send me questionsyou may have about electronics and model railroading and I’lldo my best to answer them in a future column. Until next time,high green!

Figure 4: Test setup for LEDs

Figure 5 Discrete LED polarity(image from google.com)

R=V supply−V forward

I forward=12−1

0.01=1,100ohms

R=V supply

I forward= 120.01

=1,200ohms

An In-Person NER ConventionActually Happened!

By Bill Barry

Well, we had an in-person convention with roughly 180registrants and about 250 total attendees. After ayear-and-a-half of dealing with the pandemic and

adapting to Zoom calls and face masks, it was nice to see ourfellow model railroaders in-person. It felt a little surreal to besitting in a room full of people and enjoying a meal without aface mask. Something that was possible thanks to our fully-vaccinated attendees.

This year’s contest room was filled with many models andphotos showing everyone's handiwork while in lockdown. I’llput together some info for the next issue, but I’ll give a hint thatone person who did well has a last name that rhymes with“Hawk.”

(Continued on Page 11)

HUB Headlight

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To purchase using your credit card,email Treasurer@hubdiv.org andan invoice will be sent to you.

HUB Holiday Party Registration FormName:______________________________________________In case of inclement weather, please provide your email and/or phonenumber where we will be best able to reach you.

Email: __________________________________________

Phone: __________________________________________

Number Attending: __________ x $45.00 = ____________Please make check payable to: The HUB Division, Inc.Mail to:The HUB Division, Inc.P.O. Box 672Hollis, NH 03049-0672

HUB Holiday PartySaturday, January 8, 2022

Happy Hour from 6:00 PM to7:00 PM (Hors d’oeuvres and cash

bar with waitress service)Dinner at 7:00 PM

Yankee Swap at 8:00 PM(or shortly thereafter)

The Common Market Restaurants97 Willard Street

Quincy, MA 02169(617) 773-9532

www.commonmarketrestaurants.com

Price: $45 per person.Reservations only, no walk-ins.

Dress appropriately (no denims).No reservations after January 6.

Bring a gift worth at least $15 toparticipate in the Yankee Swap.

Railroad hobby-related gift preferred.

Appetizers:Scallops and bacon

Spring rollsCoconut chickenShrimp cocktail

Cheese and crackers

Entrees:Roast Sirloin with horseradish sauceRoast Turkey with cranberry relish

Shrimp Scampi

Included:Caesar Salad

Seasonal VegetablesRice of the Day

Dinner RollsCoffee and Tea station

Dessert:Cookie and Brownie TrayAssorted French PastriesCoffee and Tea Station

Please let us know if you have anyallergies or dietary restrictions.

Please Note: The ad hoc HUB HolidayParty Planning Committee is alwayslooking for venues in new and differentlocations. Please contact Michael Tylick,MMR (michael@raildesignservices.com)if you have any suggestions for futureparties.

HUB Holiday Party 2022 - Let’s Get Together!By Michael Tylick, MMR,

HUB Holiday Planning Committee Chairman

Now that we are on our way back to a more normal life, the HUB Party PlanningCommittee is pleased to announce this season’s HUB Holiday Party. As isour tradition, the party will be held on the first Saturday after New Year’s –

January 8, 2022. Once again, it will be held at the popular Common MarketRestaurants. (97 Willard Street, Quincy, MA 02169, (617) 773-9532). There is ampleparking at the rear of the building and across the street. The festivities will commenceat 6:00 PM with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, and dinner will begin at about 7:00 PM.In order to attend, you must register in advance.

We are planning to offer the carving station and French pastry buffet that were so wellreceived at our last party two years ago. A ticket this year is $45 a person, a reasonableprice for a three-course meal and a fun-filled evening with friends. If you have anyallergies or dietary restrictions please let us know on your ticket form. The CommonMarket will be happy to accommodate you if reasonably possible. The advance noticewill help them do so.

While we are planning to keep Santa Pete’s traditional Yankee Swap, we are tryingsomething new this year. It has been suggested that we allow more casual dressrequirements. In keeping with this more relaxed festive mood, we are encouragingpartygoers to don their ugly holiday sweaters for us all to enjoy. If you would like toparticipate in our Yankee Swap, a suggested price for a gift is at least $15.

We look forward to seeing you there!!!

The HUB Party Planning Committee

November 6, 2021 (Sat): The North ShoreModel Railroad Club's Flea Market (Sat),Taunton, MA, www.nsmrc.orgNovember 26-November 28, 2021 (Fri-Sun): Annual “Tour de Chooch” layout tour,Southern NH, Northeastern MA,www.tourdechooch.org

Fall Layout Tour and Open Houses

Note: These are presented here for the benefit of members. If you belong to a club and want to promote youropen house or show, please email editor@hubdiv.org

December 2021 TBD (Sat): The ProvidenceNorthern Model Railroad Club Open House,Warwick, RI (Club is also open mostSaturdays 12-4.) www.providencenorthern.com

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HUB HeadlightVolume 38, Number 2

November - December, 2021

HUB Headlight, published by The HUB Division Inc., NortheasternRegion, National Model Railroad Association, is issued in January,March, May, September and November. Contributions may be sentby email to the Editor or by mail to the Office Manager.Editor Bill Barry - Editor@hubdiv.orgChief Grammarian - Jay Stradal

HUB Division Board of DirectorsPresident Manny Escobar - President@hubdiv.orgVice President Malcolm Houck - VP@hubdiv.orgSecretary Mike Dolan - Secretary@hubdiv.orgDonations Chairman Dan Fretz - Donations@hubdiv.orgMembership ChairmanPeter Higgins - Membership.chairman@hubdiv.orgRAILFUN CoordinatorAndy Reynolds - Railfun.coordinator@hubdiv.orgMike Tylick, MMR - HUBboard8@hubdiv.orgOffice ManagerPete Watson, MMR - Officemanager@hubdiv.org65 Branch Road, East Bridgewater, MA 02333-1601Online Activities CoordinatorErich Whitney - onlinecoordinator@hubdiv.org

Other HUB Division LeadershipTreasurer Gerry Covino - Treasurer@hubdiv.orgModule Coordinator Ron Noret - ModCoordinator@hubdiv.orgWebmaster Dave Insley - Webmaster@hubdiv.orgLibrarian Ken Belovarac - Librarian@hubdiv.orgModel Train Expo Show DirectorJohn Russo - NEMTE.Director@hubdiv.orgAssistant Model Train Expo Show DirectorWilliam Harley - Assist.NEMTE.Director@hubdiv.orgModel Train Expo Business ManagerMark Harlow - NEMTE@hubdiv.orgPublic Relations DirectorBarbara Hoblit - PRDirector@hubdiv.orgMOS CoordinatorDavid “Shack” Haralambou - MOSCoordinator@hubdiv.orgNMRA North Eastern Region - Eastern At-large DirectorErich Whitney - MA.NERdirector@hubdiv.orgNMRA Achievement Program ChairmanPeter Watson, MMR - HUB.AP.Chair@hubdiv.org

Membership: National Model Railroad Association membersresiding within the boundaries of The HUB Division: zip codes01400 through 02699. (Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Mid-dlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcestercounties of Massachusetts.)

Headlight PrintersVersatile Printing Services, LLC, Burlington, MA

HUB Division Nametag, Headlight Subscriptionand Donation Forms, Module Kit and Branded

Merchandise Store InformationPlease see the September-October 2021 Headlight for all order formsand module kit information along with information about the onlineHUB Branded Merchandise store.

HUB life member and silent action contribution manager PeterHiggins out-did himself with a huge spread of prizes includingsome pretty sweet ones from our model railroading industryfriends. A listing of contributors can be found on the conventionwebsite.

Though I presented aclinic and helpedjudge the photo con-test, I was still ableto attend three oper-ating sessions, eacha different scale, Non Friday, On30 onSaturday and Fn3(1:20.3) on Monday.I enjoyed meetingwith old friends atthe Friday welcome reception, attended some interesting clinicsand had some filling banquet meals at the Sunday eveningbanquet and Monday morning awards breakfast.

At the banquet, Dick Towle was the last-man-standing whenJohn Doehring had everyone stand and then asked those that hadbeen NMRA members for less than 15 years to sit down, then20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50. At that point only Dick was standingand he thenannounced he’dbeen a member for63 years. Far sur-passing anyone elsein the room. A pastNER president andmost recently Con-vention Chairmanfor the Palmer, MAconvention, he washosting large NERconventions decadesbefore I was evenborn, but I’m just ayoungster in thegroup at age 50.

I hope you were able to join us for the convention, but if not, it’sless than a year until we can all meet again at The ConnecticutYankee convention in Windsor, CT, from September 15 to 18,2022.

The Quarry on Scott Jewel’s new On30 railroad,his old one is now in a museum. Just one of thelayouts open for operations.

An In-Person NER ConventionActually Happened!

(Continued from Page 10)

Stan Ames accepts the Keith Shoneman awardfrom Dave Insley during the Awards Breakfast.

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RAILFUN.......NO MOTIONS.......

NO SECONDS.......NO BUSINESS.......

NO YAWNS.......

HUB Division Calendar of Events(Subject to Change)

2021Nov 19 (Fri) HUB RAILFUN Meeting, 8 PM, Motherbrook Arts and Community Center, 123 High

St, Dedham, MA 02026Nov 19 (Fri) Submissions deadline for the HUB Headlight Jan-Feb issueNov 20 (Sat) HUB’s Museum of Science display opens for season - Open daily until January 17, 2022Nov 20-21 (Sat-Sun) HUB Modular Railroad display at the Greenberg’s Toy & Train Show, Shriner’s

Auditorium, Wilmington, MADec 4-5 (Sat-Sun) The HUB-sponsored New England Model Train EXPO at the Best Western Royal Plaza

Trade Center, Marlborough, MA2022

Jan 8 (Sat) HUB Holiday Party at the Common Market, Quincy, MAJan 15-17 (Sat-Mon) HUB Modular Railroad display at the Wenham Museum, Wenham, MAJan 21 (Fri) HUB RAILFUN Meeting, 8 PM, Refer to future Headlight and website for locationJan 29-30 (Sat-Sun) HUB Modular Railroad display at the Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby

Show, Big-E Fairgrounds, West Springfield, MA

HUB Division Headlight65 Branch RoadEast Bridgewater, MA 02333-1601

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