Time for an update. I estimated I was about 60% through the wiring process on my last post. Now I am at about 50%.
I finally have all the components I need to finish the project. After scouring all of Ontario for some additional DS-64 stationary decoders I had to resort to ordering some online from Cincinnati. Fortunately I found a shop that had the four I needed on hand and could send them quickly. I am now up to 12 units, which is enough to get it all running the way I want.
It is much quicker to explain everything I am doing with video, so I made this update here. Its a bit long, but it explains in detail why I am using the method I am to operate the layout, which may seem complex and expensive, but in the end will offer the most flexible operation.
As of this morning, all the Tortoises have been connected to the DS-54’s. Next I will hook up the additional power routing relays, followed by programming the routes. Once programmed and tested, the DS-64’s will be mounted somewhere under the layout and all the wiring trimmed.
I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!
I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!
On the left is one half of the layout with all the switch machines installed. Its amazing how much of a mess gets made installing a few switch machines. The right side of the layout is also complete. 28 in total. There are two more to add, one under a turnout I still have to build, and one on the float bridge I still have to build.
I think I have set a SMDL (switch machine density level) record, 17 machines in about 3 square feet.
Nothing important about this picture, just showing a mess.
I cobbled together some feeders and took an engine for a short spin on what sections of track I would get operable. It was very thrilling. Neither of these engines belong on the terminal, they are all I have on hand at the moment.
This nifty little unit is going to same me a ton of time and headaches. What it does is take over the switching of the frog polarity on complex track. A single feeder is run to an isolated frog and the board is connected to the track feeders. When a train comes in contact with the frog, it will switch the frog polarity to the correct direction, instantly. Using this really helps with crossings, which can be difficult to control when using switch machines, especially the kind of crossings I am using. With this, I simply run a feeder to the frogs in the crossing. One unit will operate 6 frogs.
When I have it operating I will post a video of it. Would be great for anyone using ground throws.
I made a road trip to lay in some supplies. Starting with some wire for feeders. Shown here is some 22GA solid wire for the frogs and track feeders. Also some 2 conductor 22GA wire for switch machine power.
I also paid a visit to Bob Scott at Credit Valley Railway and picked up a DT400IR throttle and receiver. Grabbed a power supply for the DCC system while I was there as well.
The initial plan for the layout was to use stationary decoders to control the switch machines. After a bit of thought I decided to go with simple toggle switches and control panels instead to keep it simple. After more thought, I went back to the original idea of using stationary decoders. I really didn’t design the layout for control panels, and adding them in now would be a hack. After playing with the DT400 a bit it seems that is will work well enough to operate the layout using it with stationary decoders.
I have been asked why I didn’t just use simple ground throws. The answer is easy, they are damn ugly. Also, reaching into the layout to operate them is hazardous. Although I am considering Sergent Couplers for the cars, so I am contradicting myself a bit. If there was a good looking, durable ground throw with contacts for frog switching, I would have considered it, and since I don’t have time to develop one myself, I will stick to the tried and true Tortoises with DS-64 stationary decoders.
BTW, does anyone know how many routes are possible if using multiple DS-64’s for turnout control? I have asked everyone, looked online and even called Digitrax. No one seems to know, even the tech support guy at Digitrax! Am I the only person in the model railroading universe that is doing this?
Above are the 8 DS-64’s I need for the layout. Actually, I only have 5 at the moment, Bob has three more on order for me. 3 of the DS-64’s in the picture above were added in using Photoshop. Bob, if you’re reading this, I still need three more. Don’t let the picture fool you.
Today, I added all the feeders from the switch machines to the frogs. This evening, I installed the main bus line, using 12GA wire (in black and white near the bottom of the layout section. Using suitcase connectors I have started adding the feeders to the rails and also to the switch machines. One half is almost complete, will try to get the other side done tomorrow, then start with the DS-64 installations. After that, a test run!
I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!
