wiring
Although we are installing complete digital
control, I have elected to retain conventional control panels as well to allow for
failure. Wiring is minimised by using self adhesive copper tape. We do
epoxy the ends to prevent the tapes peeling off at a later date.
Nevertheless, the double operation option involves miles of wire, numerous
plugs and plenty of hard work!
Digital control or manual is selected by
swapping multi pins plugs. Once tested, the soldered terminals of the
plugs are set in epoxy to prevent breakages. The wires will be protected
with spiral wrap.
jumper lead at the back of the station section. Centre socket connects to
board
The control panels are made using 2mm clear
acrylic sheets sandwiching the graphics, printed on glossy photo paper.
The panels are attached to the baseboard using M10 bolts set into the
timber and wingnuts, to make removal easy.
new DCC viaduct panel (still missing LEDs) - click image to enlarge
ultimate rats' nest - the station panel
wired up
the viaduct panel
Connections are made using 50 and 37
multi-pin D plugs/sockets and 8 pin DIN plugs/sockets. The circuit boards
are attached to 1/4" ply boards which hinge down from under the station
and viaduct baseboards. This allows easier adjustment.
The hard wiring of the drop-down board
complete - click to enlarge
The hard wiring of the station nearly
complete - click to enlarge
The hard wiring of the viaduct nearly
complete - click to enlarge
We had been unhappy with the operation of
the front loading traverser which had a habit of slightly changing
dimensions through temperature changes and tripping up trains. We also
found that visitors at exhibitions hated us obscuring the hotel when
changing trains. The traverser has now been removed.
Having converted to DCC we realised that we
could automate the main line running for exhibitions. This needed a six
road fiddle yard.
The first fiddle yard was supported on two
steel brackets from the display stands. Sadly, operation showed up some
flaws which has now resulted in the construction of a new unit.
The problems were:
1. The fiddle table could be distorted
if a person leant on it. This resulted in the derailment of trains at the
baseboard joint.
2. Despite being 7'6" long, some of the
loops were too short for comfort and restricted the choice of trains to be
run.
3. The Peco 12" Crazytrack turnouts
caused a number of derailments.
the old fiddle yard
the new yard nears completion
As a consequence, a new fiddle yard has been
built which extends the full length of the layout and is much narrower.
This uses N gauge points of 18" radius.
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