Building the Pinnacle Creek Mining & Timber Co. RR

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


tootnkumin said:
Sherrel, the only thing with just using an SPDT, is that you must move both that and the points at the same time manually or probably cause a short if you shift the switch first and the points second.
Click to expand...

TOOT ... You are correct, except that I would use the center position of the switch (ON-OFF-ON) to be off when changing the turnouts direction.

Glad to hear that you have a solution, JIM. I thought we were going to have to have you committed?
 
Sirfoldalot said:
TOOT ... You are correct, except that I would use the center position of the switch (ON-OFF-ON) to be off when changing the turnouts direction.

Glad to hear that you have a solution, JIM. I thought we were going to have to have you committed?
Click to expand...

That could depend on the switch, it may not have that center "neutral" position and only go from on-on without stopping in the middle, even though there will be an internal break between. I know on my club's layout that is interchangeable between DC and DCC, but was wired originally for only DC, they use the on-off-on switches in a horizontal plane, for both direction of running and isolation of tracks in yards where you can run a train into a yard track with the switch pointed in the direction of entry (your train controlling cab will have it's direction switch positioned to bring the train in, facing the other way)and stopping. Then to leave that yard track to continue in the same direction into the next block, you switch that control panel switch, straight across to the other direction to leave, having previously aligned the required turnouts to accomplish the move, still with your cab switch facing the way you want to go. You can of course, if you wish the train to stay in the yard and isolated to prevent it being operated by another cab, place the panel switch in the neutral, for that specific track, de-powering it. Other trains can then pass you by on other tracks, either way.

Those same switches are also used on each of the same tracks in a vertical plane to give a local yard operational capability. Up selects the yard cab, down the "main" power source, in the neutral p also isolates the associated track.

DCC operation of course TOTALLY ELIMINATES the requirement for all of those switches and the hassle of setting them and your cab as well. All you need concern yourself with is the turnout controls. BOY, do I love DCC control at the club.
 
Finally the oval is complete. Here's photo of the last couple of feet drying. I worked on the PECO turnout and I will show a photo probably tomorrow. All I have left is the siding to the turntable. Jim

IMG_8417_zpssgjlh2br.jpg
 


HOexplorer; I am going to take you back to post #39 that has the picture of the flatcar as a bridge. Do you have any other pics of this scene? Like from different angles? On my layout, I am going to try to incorporate a few flatcars as bridges in my logging and mining areas. I had not thought about using one as a train bridge until it was mentioned to me here on the forum about the one in your build thread, when I asked if anyone had used flatcars as bridges. Your layout is awesome and I have picked up a few other ideas from it. Thank You for any help you might be able to give.

outlaw bill
 
outlaw bill, Welcome. Unfortunately I only have this one photo to share. Since the bridge was so far away from the front of the layout it never got the attention it deserved. Flatcar bridges are simple to install assuming you have a 36 or so foot gulley. I'm not sure flatcars over 40 feet would carry much of a load. If you have any questions please ask, that's what we are here for. Jim:)

Brining%20back%20the%20empties_zpsjlsavo0j.jpg
 
Moving on: I got the mainline dried over night and today I thought I would give the spur to the turntable a go. I soldered two reds and two blacks to the bottom of the rails. Remember two separate systems, DC and DCC. I probably showed this old trick before, but never mind ii is a good one. Because of this layout having a deep creek I built down inbetween two layers. I could have built one layer and sunk the creek, but I had extra wood and time so two layers. One problem is wiring. While I don't remember where this idea came from, I'm sure it has been around for decades. If you use a straw to go through the two layers all you have to do is push the wire through and out it comes at the bottom ready for hook up. I did drill a 1.5" hole on the bottom to help with this. Sinchy. Jim :)

IMG_8418_zpssivm5ig8.jpg
 
engineerkyle said:
I like the tube for the wiring
Click to expand...

If you need to, or more convenient, run wiring through the layout structure after laying the track (but not the scenery base) and it has to travel some distance, then smooth walled flexible plastic hose is good. So long as the bends aren't sharp (causing kinks) and you bundle the wires together (tie or solder the ends together), you can feed them through a good distance. The other pre-requisite is to use a larger size tube than one that just fits and blow some talcum powder through it.
 


P.S. If you strip the ends of the wires in the bundle and either twist or solder them together, always bend the ends over double, back on themselves, so they present a rounded tip, rather tan sharp points.
 
Jim, I am leaving this site. Too many on the n scale site think they are god or whatever. I don't need this shit in my life. Bye
 
Yes, Dan I agree with Jim. A lot of good folks in this thread. Don't let one bad apple spoil it for you. But ultimately, it is your decision. If this is what you deem necessary then I/we will respect that. Bill :(
 
OleSmokey said:
Jim, I am leaving this site. Too many on the n scale site think they are god or whatever. I don't need this shit in my life. Bye
Click to expand...
????? I haven't seen anything like that, and I hang out on a couple of Skeptic forums so I know what ice holes* look like.

*Intentional spelling.

Oh crap!
 
Bill and Beady, This issue was never in this thread. It was in the N Scale portion of MRF, not here. In four years and nearly 1/2 million views we have never had any problems. Great hobby, great folks here, SO NO problems.

Beady, Welcome. Enjoy the thread as you wish.

Also here is a photo of the track to the turn table. Still some glue drying. Layout is mostly finished now, with some grade crossings to do. Jim:)

16-01-12%20Final%20siding_zpshq4kqlrt.jpg
 
HOexplorer said:
Bill and Beady, This issue was never in this thread. It was in the N Scale portion of MRF, not here. In four years and nearly 1/2 million views we have never had any problems. Great hobby, great folks here, SO NO problems.

Beady, Welcome. Enjoy the thread as you wish.

Also here is a photo of the track to the turn table. Still some glue drying. Layout is mostly finished now, with some grade crossings to do. Jim:)

16-01-12%20Final%20siding_zpshq4kqlrt.jpg
Click to expand...
Did not mean to imply the problem was in this thread. Quite the contrary. I've been on many forums and this thread has been the best I have ever participated in. This is what I was trying to convey in my post. Please accept my apologies. thanks, Bill;)
 


You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top