Hello Folks, With Rrrr's help I should be able to get the G and G wired. I'd love to show her ideas on a variety of control panels styles and techniques. Any images and input would be greatly appreciated.
Control pannels Here are some ideas for your panels. I like to make them look like dispatcher panels or ( CTC Panels ). The first photo shows my main panel on my old HO portable modular layout. The second photo shows some of the wiring in side, boy it looks simple back then, it’s a real rats nest now. The 3rd photo shows the other main panel witch also had the back yard on it. The 4th photo shows how I used computer printer cables to connect my panels to the layout. I also used the same method from table to table. We had taken the portable layout on the road for 3 years before I went to G scale. The last photo shows a real CTC machine. This is the old Norfolk and Western CTC / Dispatchers panel. Its now on display in a railroad museum NorthEast PA.
My very simple control panel for my hollow core sized layout. Since the layout is supposed to be moveable, the controls and power packs are mounted on a small wood panel and the control panel is connected to the layout with a multi-pin connector. All switches are manual, so no switch machine controls. Track plan schematic is still temporary until I can do a better one. Regards Ed
Panels in a Drawer I have found one of the best ways to make control panels is in a drawer. This keeps the panel out of the aisle and prevents accidental activation of the controls. It also allows me to quickly and easily remove the panel to the work bench should I need to work on it. All connections are made with computer serial extension cables.
TRT2 On a temporal level, it is good to have company. I would suggest you incorporate some of the ideas posted here and in the other Trainboard section.
Thanks Guys! Thanks! Sean, Ed, TRT2, ncng, Mark, Um, what do you mean? Is the Atlas system really that bad? I have no intention of using it but am just wondering. I, er, we will be using rocker switches. I just like the feel. Over all I intend to have 3 and maybe 4 control panels. Each will have one or two power supplies which will control some or all of a region. Two for the main line loop which will give me continuous running with one train and another on passing sidings. One panel and power supply for the Grandure Valley and the yard. This also shares a track with the Main Line loop to facilitate exchange of cars. One or two panels for Grey and points west . This roughly splits the G and G in half with a small overlap for transition. Used in conjunction with Kato power lead turnouts that should allow quite a bit of multi train operation with a reduced amount of wiring. So, who says you can’t run more than one train at a time?
Atlas is very relaible from all accounts I have read. Some people have done huge layouts using Atlas common rail controls.
I have build 6 Panels so far and found that each is a little easier than the previous one. experience does seem to count for something... I use rotary switches to select the cab (max 4 cabs) and toggle switches for turnouts and to cut power to some sections of track. The turnout switches also route the power from the yard to the main, so when you select your train in the yard and align all turnouts to the main you will have uninterrupted power to the main. Construction is a masonite backing with a clear plastic front. Sandwitched in between is a printed layout. Cheers Dirk
Dirk, Do you have any problems going from position 1 to position 3 on a rotary switch? Especially if position two has a cab attached?
Hello Pete, I try to keep the track power toggle to "Off" when I change cabs. I (mostly) remember it, so no problems. Some operators just turn the selector: If the movement is decisive there is only a tiny "lurch" in the train, no problem. But if they turn the selector slowly (like "I am not sure which position I should go to...") the train might start to move. But so far we had only one derailment as throttle 2 was on "full steam ahead" to lift a 4-unit Bachman Spectrum F7 over the hill (They are the slowest engines I got, so the operator went to Throttle 8). All in all no problems... Cheers Dirk
