Switchboard

[Matt]

Should I have a switch board on my layout which is under construction? http://www.trainboard.com/confused.gif

[Alan]

Hi Matt, it depends on how many trains you wish to run at the same time, also how complex your layout is.

A good rule for a complete beginner, is to keep it as simple as possible.

Some information on wiring trackwork is provided with Peco points, but if you get stuck, get your dad to bring you round again, with a copy of your track plan http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)
Alan's European Gallery (http://eurogallery.homestead.com)
Alan's British Steam Gallery (http://britishsteamgallery.homestead.com)

[BC Rail King]

What is a switch board? Would I be correct it is similar to a CTC board? If that is what it is, wouldn't that in some respects make the layout simpler? In terms of construction, which I believe Alan was referring too-it would be harder, but if you are the engineer and there are several trains on the layout it would make it eisier. My dad has decided for something equivilant to a switch board (if a switch board is what I think it is), we are going to have lights like the real RR, only we will have Red and Green, and they will be out of scale alittle for people who have trouble seeing the small light.

But anyway, if you could answer what a switch board is, it would be great.

Happy Railroading!!

Dane N.

------------------
BC Rail King
TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info.
BCRailKing@Canada.com

[Matt]

A switch board is a board that you have wires from and go to points on your track to direct and redirect current .

[Alan]

The term we use here is a control panel, Dane. (and Matt http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif )

Matt, hope you don't need one like the one you saw on my layout - a bit complicated for a beginner - and me, sometimes http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)
Alan's European Gallery (http://eurogallery.homestead.com)
Alan's British Steam Gallery (http://britishsteamgallery.homestead.com)

[This message has been edited by Alan (edited 22 June 2000).]

[nbrail]

Alan,

Where do we find your switchboard?

Jean-Marc

[Alan]

There are five control panels on my layout http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)
Alan's European Gallery (http://eurogallery.homestead.com)
Alan's British Steam Gallery (http://britishsteamgallery.homestead.com)

[Colonel]

We also use the term "control panel" here in Australia. I use a control panel on my layout to control signals and points. I also have block switches for my 2 cabs. Here is a picture of my control panel. If you go to my site it explains my control panel in more detail.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~pcassar/overview4.jpg

Please note my website will be moving to a new server next week. I'll post in the forum once this is completed

Colonel


------------------
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~pcassar/index

[This message has been edited by Colonel (edited 27 June 2000).]

[Patrick]

Very nice Colonel! http://www.trainboard.com/cool.gif By the way, is the center bridge span built with Plastruct, kit, or? Wondering because I just received a kit from Plastruct that looks like that Warren design.
------------------
Residing in BNSF's St. Croix Subdivision near Trempealeau, WI



[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 27 June 2000).]

[Alan]

Standing by to change my bookmark to your site, Colonel http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)
Alan's European Gallery (http://eurogallery.homestead.com)
Alan's British Steam Gallery (http://britishsteamgallery.homestead.com)

[Robin Matthysen]

I will have ten control panels on my layout to control various points. I still use cab control so two operators can work the layout. It can be cumbersome compared to DCC but a lot cheaper. Wiring can get confusing as DPDT switches are needed. The gauge of wiring has to be heavy which doesn't make this an easy task http://www.trainboard.com/rolleyes.gif but if you take your time it's OK.
The MR book on wiring shows how nicely.

------------------
Robin
Maberly and Tayside (http://members.xoom.com/Matthyro/index.html)

[Colonel]

The bridge is by Kato slightly modified to take double stacks. I repainted them myself, yes I do somethings without GATs http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

------------------
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~pcassar/index