I'm editiing this previous post to show some of the progress that has occured in the last 2 years. Let's see if this works.... I am in the process of building a layout in a room (warehouse?) that is about 20' x 44'. It is a loose representation of the Union Pacific between Hinkle, Oregon and Nampa, Idaho. It is a very ambitious project, so if you are in the area bring your tools. There is a layout diagram that can be located by going to the links in my signature until I can get a direct link added. Once I get the direct link it should be of an updated diagram. I also recently helped build a 16' x 4' display layout of the Oregon & Northwestern Railroad that was placed in a Dairy Queen in John Day, Oregon. http://www.the-gauge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5558 I'll try to post a link to some photos of my projects. Until I get this figured out.... Here is a picture of a special run boxcar that I commissioned Micro-Trains to produce. That should give you guys something to look at for a while! Any questions? [ 25. August 2003, 14:24: Message edited by: upguy ]
Wow, very ambitious! Im glad to see you have no duckunders ( !) and double decking to get more railroading. You get a 10 from me by not trying to jam in as much track as possible to model some open scenes. Can you give me some more info like layout height, is it going to be L-girder, is it going to be DCC, and what type of track are you planning to use? Anyways your track plan looks very good, cant wait to see pics of you building it all. Mike
Blimey, Rett! How old are you? Will you live long enough to finish it? I look forward to progress reports
I'm planning on making the layout DCC. Anyone have any ideas as to how many boosters I may need and where to place them for best operation? The lower level is going to be constructed using a number of N-trak modules with some oNe track styles included where 3-track main lines can't be utilized. Some of the elevated peninsulas will be constructed using L-girders and some will be modular. Final details haven't been worked out on everything. That's why I'm soliciting comments. I'm no "spring chicken" (54), but I think I can see most of the layout built if we work fast! Some of the early work is visible at: http://canyonmtngineers.homestead.com/CanMtNgineers.html I need to update the site again, but I haven't had time to take pictures and lighting is not too good. The building doesn't have any windows and we haven't got all the lights installed yet.
The layout was originally intended to be modular, but over time it has become increasing complex; therefore, it has become more perminent in construction. Here is a link to some more recent photos. http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/photo_album_cat.asp?sqldtl=353 [ 25. August 2003, 14:33: Message edited by: upguy ]
To calculate power requirements, you first need to figure out how many engines will be run - ever - at one time. So if you have 5 operators all double heading, then you will have 10 engines. The issue isn't how many boosters, but how much power. So lets say your are running Digitrax DCC and you figure ten engines will be maximum, then you will be fine with 5 amps for your entire layout. Digitrax has an item called a PM42 (wish they give it a name rather than an intimidating and hard to remember cryptic letter/number combination). This item will allow you to break your layout down into four distinct areas so that if one area shorts out, the entire layout doesn't come down. You can have more than one PM42. The PM42 can also help with reversing loops. So on my layout, I will have two PM42's; one for the isolated areas electrically (6 areas) and 2 slots will be used for reversing loops, for a total of 8 slots being used (2 PM42's). But it will all be powered by one 5 amp booster.
