I recently acquired a second Digitrax Zephyr, an Xtra, to supplement my Zephyr Classic. The Xtra gave me 3.0 A track current, 20 slots, and the extra function buttons. I configured my Classic to be a booster to supply power to my Team Digital SMD switch controllers, and to function as a second throttle. Here is the new operating station. Since completion of track about 2 years ago I have mostly been operating and fixing bad order items as they crop up from time to time.
This weekend I completed a long awaited capital improvement project by reworking the interlocking at North Linden. I reversed the crossover from main 1 to main 2 to allow for improved operational flexibility. Track is attached to painted Homasote subroadbed with diluted Aleene's Tacky Glue. The track was removed after wetting it down, residual glue removed, and Homasote given another paint coat. I also replaced twin coil switch machines with Tortoises. Here the new alignment has been set and awaiting drying. Now that track construction is complete I can continue scenery work in this area.
Okay, I'm intrigued. What is that on top of the rail section weight?! Also, what camera are you using? The detail is fabulous or are you post processing to achieve this?
I think the silver weight is some piece of an exercise doodad. It has 1/2" threaded hole on the backside. I found it by the curb while walking around the neighborhood. The camera is an iPhone 6.
Heavy duty HP on that coaler. Must be those packages from Santa? I like that track cleaner and it's very eclectic assortment of engines.
Correct; Santa delivered the goods. Without naming names there has been a whole lot of naughty in 2017. Had to use every 2-bay hopper the L&N had to hall all that coal. Didn't need to get out the M&StL, Southern or Western Maryland assets. I run the track cleaner with my critter assortment plus a pair of GP7's. The felt pad on the track cleaner can occasionally catch on any sharp bits near the track so the extra power ensures we don't stall out.
I really like what I see! I also really like the railroad you came up with. I live close to what was once a major L&N yard ( Howell ) and both north/south and east/west main lines and just south of the Southern's east/west main line through southern Indiana so you have my interest. Great work, I'll keep watching your progress. Thanks, Ralph
Thanks, Ralph. I can appreciate how our proximity to railroads affects our interests. Growing up in Memphis I saw L&N and Southern, and the remnants of NC&StL. Later I moved to Minneapolis and discovered the M&StL. While working in Northern VA and riding the C&O Canal trail and riding rail trails I learned about the WM. This is my way of bringing them all together. My building progress is not as fast as I would like but I also understand that creativity can't be forced. The track is laid so I can always run trains even if I don't feel inspired to model. I've also learned that running regularly is a critical step to achieving smooth and trouble-free operation.
I've had a few electrical gremlins pop up that need attention. I've also got some shoo-fly wiring that it's time to make permanent. As I get older I'm becoming less tolerant of working underneath the table, even on the exercise ball. Then it's time to go sideways.
Whoa! That's some wiring! But I LOVE the way you set up the layout so you can easily pivot/rotate for easy access to the underneath!
Yep. No argument there. A roommate gave me a huge spool of #24 two strand solid wire orange and white. I did the whole layout with it. Between switch machine controllers and block detection I have a huge network of wiring that mostly works and can be quite daunting to troubleshoot. I would probably never try and fix the wiring if I had to crawl under the table to do it. I finally decided it was time.
Please tell us more about the design of and the parts list for your rotation device. From the legs to the pivot, it all looks very sturdy!
I found these table legs at Ikea about 10 years ago. There were two sets without the table top and I bought both sets. They looked fairly sturdy and when extended are 42" high; sufficient height for normal operation with room to work under laying on my the exercise ball. When I started this layout I knew I wanted some way to work on the table without having to be under it. I use metal studs and scupltamold to minimize the weight. Here are a couple of pictures showing the main support legs screwed into wood gusset plates. When I want to tilt the table I use my second set of legs. I screwed some support lumber to the top of the legs to hold the pivot. The pivot is a 1/2" x 6" black steel nipple screwed into a floor flange. I added an additional piece of 1x3 along the table width for added strength.
The table balances in the vertical position. I have a bungee cord on the other end to keep it from going turtle-up.
It's been almost two years since I updated here. The ML&S has not been idle. I've implemented a fully functioning signal system for the two track main. There are six interlockings with signaling but only three have trackside signals. I've run into problems how to mount the remaining signals due to interference from switch machines and other design decisions I made way back when I first started construction. I will sort through those challenges eventually. I based the system on the Digitrax SMBK two head color light signals because they are inexpensive and incredibly durable. I've since branched out into searchlight signals using tricolor LEDs. The signal system is implemented on Arduino ATMega256 board. The Arduino ATMega256 supplies 60 discrete outputs that can drive common cathode or common anode LEDs. In my original design I could drive 10 signals with one Arduino and I anticipated I would need 3 Arduino. The Arduino is inexpensive; $12-20 each. Then I discovered Charlieplexing a design that allows four discrete outputs to drive 12 LEDs. Now I can drive 180 LEDs with one board. The savings in wire is significant; what once took 28 wires can be done with 4. The prototype railroads did the same when they changed over to multiplexing. They no longer needed pole lines with 30 or more individual wires. Here is trackside West Rapidan. Grrr....no matter how I orient the picture TB puts it upsidedown. Main 1 Approach Diverging and Main 2 Approach at East Rapidan Westbound at North Linden Searchlights at Altavista
