Track Time

Hi Folks:
I have been working on trackage these last couple of weeks ( albeit at a slow pace). My track and turnouts are by  Micro Engineering  - code 83 On30 narrow gauge track. Although I could have used HO scale track, I decided to go with the ME On30 track, as it looks better with the correct tie spacing and was designed to be used with On30 narrow gauge.. That being said, I found it a bit more challenging to use this track as I found it more delicate than the old PECO turnout  Atlas flex track combo I used on my old HO scale layout. On top of the track and turnouts being more delicate , the ME

rail joiners are much more difficult to install and you really have to be careful not to damage the track (and turnouts ) when installing them - don't ask me how I know. I found a method on the web that aids in installing these little rascals. You really have to prepare both the rail joiner and also file the receiving rail slightly in order to get them to connect successfully. In this weeks photo , you can see that the track and turnouts are only temporarily installed and held down with push tacks. What I will do next is to mark the track centerlines and then remove the trackage in sections. N scale cork roadbed will then be installed - I decided to go with the N Scale roadbed at the suggestion of a fellow On30 modeller who used it on his home layout. I really think the low profile looks good with On30. Once I have the roadbed installed, I will paint my track using a dark brown camo type paint - again I found this idea on the web and it seems to be getting used a lot and it looks really good from the pictures I have seen. Once all the track is painted, it will be reinstalled permanently. The next step after that will of course be the wiring. So on that note, time to get busy......till next time.

Power and Control

Hi Folks: Progress has slowed a bit these past few weeks (too busy shoveling snow   ugh!!).  I have painted the front fascia and spent some time running the DCC power bus and the control bus wiring. The decision was made to reuse my Lenz DCC system from my previous layout, both from a cost perspective and also due to the fact that shortly before putting the unit in storage back in 2011, I had both the command station and my LH 100 throttle updated to version 3.6 of the software (which is still the current Lenz version). My LH 90 is still at a version 3.5, and I may send that in shortly to be updated, however even at 3.5 it does everything that I require it to do. For the power bus on the layout, I decided to go with 14 gauge stranded wire that I bought at an auto parts store for a reasonable price. The power bus goes from one end of the layout to the other and is terminated at each end using simple terminal blocks. When it comes time to wire track, I will be using 22 gauge solid core wire, soldered to the rails approx. at ~ 3 foot intervals and connected to the power bus using insulation displacement (aka suitcase) type connectors. This is slightly heavier wire than needed for feeder wires, however, I had an abundance of it available.  As mentioned in one of my previous posts, I have elected to install a DCC specialities PSX 1 circuit breaker , due to the fact that most of my locos including my 2 new Bachmann Whitcombs are Tsunami equipped and having this piece of circuitry will allow them to recover better should a short occur. The DCC control bus is a simple affair with one RJ type cable extending from the Lenz LZV 100 command station to a single fascia mounted control panel located in the middle of the layout. I placed it so that I could reach either end of the layout while remaining plugged in. Also installed was a DCC specialities programming booster which will be connected to one of the sidings

via a double pole toggle switch to act as the programming track. I tried to keep all the wiring under the layout as neat as possible by cutting circular holes in the bench work to act as passageways for the cabling. I also utilized cable clamps, terminal blocks and wire ties to keep everything neat. The command station, power supply, and programming booster are all mounted on a small shelf  under the layout that is easily accessible, but keeping everything out of site. Till next time......