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So you have the TC software and from Digitrax you just use their throttles, and other devices? I guess what I am asking is if I go the same route as you on my 8' x 12' layout what components should I be looking to buy?
Except for very special cases TC requires a DCC Command Station (say Digitrax) which supports being controlled by a computer. The TC web site has a extensive list of what command stations are supported and notes as to any limitations the command station may have when it comes to supporting all of the things the TC can do.
On my layout I have a Digitrax DCS100 for running of trains, a DCS100 for occupancy detection and device control and a DCS200 for the engine yard.
Model railroading is not exactly an inexpensive hobby but you can do it a bit at a time. If you need more help or information please do not hesitate to ask.
Yeah, I am realizing that. I am still trying to recoup from buying the bench work materials, tools, and the beginning of the scenery and landscape foam. I don't even own a piece of track any more. And I have only been able to find three of my box cars, two of which are still in Craftsman kit form. So I have a steep incline to overcome (uphill battle haha).
The generosity of the folks on here to help out is simply amazing.
This cold weather is playing havoc on my track work.
I've been chasing down kinks like this all weekend. I think the humidity gets pretty low when the temps drop and the wood has shrunk or expanded. I'm not really sure.
Ouch. Looks like you need a humidifier. My house stays good enough to keep my guitars in tune, but I am wondering how well my layout is going to fare in the winter and summer extremes we have here. That is why I am trying to use as much foam as possible.
Real railroads can have that problem on real hot days. But cold weather likely causes your heating system to run more and that can dry out wood - making it shrink. If you have a humidifier try running that in the basement.
But find one that can connect to your water supply in some fashion - filling them up is a pain in the... painful parts.
Honeywell makes some nice steam units that can be installed in your HVAC system - and they work well - I have four separate HVAC systems in my home and each one has Honeywell unit.
I had a humidifier in my previous house and it was such a mess. It had a continuous lime build up and if I did clean it at least once a month, it got a slime buildup too. I had public water to the house there. I'm on a well here. I could only imagine the additional problems I would have here with well water.
Yeah some of the older ones (rotating drums, etc) were a pain. These newer steam units dont need much maintenance at all. There is no slime build up because of the heat. There is scale build up in the bottom of the "tank" where the water goes prior to making steam. The cleanup is simple - I do it twice a year - or I go by the "time to clean" light.
We are on well water too but we do have a whole house water softener/filter system.
Pushing along with isolating the final power section of the layout for block control and eventually the signal system. I have a few more turnouts to link up to the SE8C and then I can start installing the signals themselves.
When the is section is done, I think I might go back to section three and rewire the boards with the acculite edge connectors. The current connections are quite a mess and would be very difficult to trouble shoot if I had to.
I have my shopping list together for this weekends Timonium show up in Baltimore, MD.
I am "late" on this thread, and can't understand why or how I missed it. This is a model rail roaders dream. Wish I had the space and money to undertake something like what you are doing. Actually, wish I had the knowledge as well
This is an incredible layout, by any standards and the more I have read, the more the interest grows.
To answer you question about the my TC-64. I am using it for block detection. I have yet to run the ribbon cable from the actual block detectors (BOD-8) to the TC-64. All the ports will end up being used at some point.
To answer you question about the my TC-64. I am using it for block detection. I have yet to run the ribbon cable from the actual block detectors (BOD-8) to the TC-64. All the ports will end up being used at some point.
I had initially bought one of each of the appropriate Digitrax products (BDL168, SE8C, DS44, DS64, etc) and experimented with them. Then somebody steered me to the TC-64 line and the "unified" approach appealed to me. The great versatility of the system was a plus. I also liked that there were no edge connectors that required soldering - I did not know at the time that there products that addressed this issue.
I admire Ken for what he has accomplished using the Digitrax line of products.
