01-14-2010, 10:38 AM
Thankyou Lynn. (I know, a bit late in replying lol)
Just thought I'd mention where the layout stands. I am still working on it, but there hasnt been much of a noteable change on the scenic side since my last post. I have however decided to switch to using Tortoise motors for the points. This is due to the cost of (a)DPDT Microswitches for the Peco motors, (b)The cost of Solenoid DCC decoders compared to those for Stall Types. Also, they look better which moving the switchblades, and wont make the whole layout vibrate.
As such, I have carved out much much large holes in the foam to accomadate the motors. I will need to find a way to cover the original holes cut right through the foam for the peco motors, so that I can balast the point work.
I have also been working on my JMRI Control Panel. I decided that I will add a loconet connection to my layout to go with my NCE PH-Pro, using the computer as a link between the two, and by using a Digitrax BDL-168 as a loconet master. The loconet will recieve power by connecting my NCE controller track output to the Railsync pins on the loconet. I plan to use a LocoBuffer USB to Connect the loconet to the computer.
This will allow me to Use a BDL-168 for block detection, and SE8c for Signal controll (and the other 8 blocks using a pair of BD-4's), and then 2 DAC10's to control the tortoises and provide point feedback. Of course I havent bought any of these yet, as I am saving up after buying a laptop. I did get 8 tortoises (motorised one - not living one lol)off of ebay for 2/3 the price of new
.
Finally, I did paint all the track on the left side of the layout, have wired it up and started ballasting. Havent taken any pictures though.
Just thought I'd mention where the layout stands. I am still working on it, but there hasnt been much of a noteable change on the scenic side since my last post. I have however decided to switch to using Tortoise motors for the points. This is due to the cost of (a)DPDT Microswitches for the Peco motors, (b)The cost of Solenoid DCC decoders compared to those for Stall Types. Also, they look better which moving the switchblades, and wont make the whole layout vibrate.
As such, I have carved out much much large holes in the foam to accomadate the motors. I will need to find a way to cover the original holes cut right through the foam for the peco motors, so that I can balast the point work.
I have also been working on my JMRI Control Panel. I decided that I will add a loconet connection to my layout to go with my NCE PH-Pro, using the computer as a link between the two, and by using a Digitrax BDL-168 as a loconet master. The loconet will recieve power by connecting my NCE controller track output to the Railsync pins on the loconet. I plan to use a LocoBuffer USB to Connect the loconet to the computer.
This will allow me to Use a BDL-168 for block detection, and SE8c for Signal controll (and the other 8 blocks using a pair of BD-4's), and then 2 DAC10's to control the tortoises and provide point feedback. Of course I havent bought any of these yet, as I am saving up after buying a laptop. I did get 8 tortoises (motorised one - not living one lol)off of ebay for 2/3 the price of new
.Finally, I did paint all the track on the left side of the layout, have wired it up and started ballasting. Havent taken any pictures though.
Tom (TC) - Creator of Extremely Miniature Layouts on Disks! See Them All, and More on My Website. Latest Update: Jan '10.
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