History
Both of our roots in model railroading started at an early age. I (Dave) began collecting 'N' Scale stuff at about 13 years old. My mother bought me a layout for Christmas and I've been hooked ever since. As a Navy Brat, I traveled with my family throughout my childhood. As a result, I have been afforded the opportunity to purchase models from literally all over the world.
I have always had the desire to build my own layout but was never afforded the opportunity to complete a permanent layout. My last layout was built to NTrak standards in 1989 and spent most of the years since stored in my garage. It was in such bad shape that I decided to pitch it (lock, stock and barrel) and start fresh.
Denise's interest began with a layout that was given to her by her grandfather. She still has this layout and is extremely protective of it due to its sentimental value. It's a Lionel layout and, as such, has quite a value to it. She came out of the model railroading closet when she began cleaning out our garage and ran across my stored models. She's been hooked to an extreme ever since. In fact, quite often I'm the one that has to hold her back when it comes to acquiring materials for our new layout. How many of you guys out there have to deal with this type of problem. Go figure!
There were many considerations we had to decide on with the advent of our new layout:
The limitations of available space.
The layout had to following the NTrak standards as closely as possible with the current environmental limitations.
DCC or DC?
Limited funding requires a module oriented build such as laying track at a rate of a table at a time.
We wanted a continuous double main line.
We wanted a continuous but functional branch line. We wanted to accommodate both operations and visualization.
We needed adequate room for an extensive switch yard.
We needed adequate space to accommodate scenery.
All switches had be remote and DCC in nature.
No 0-5-0 operations (no hands).
With all this being considered, we made the following decisions pertaining to the building process. These are certainly not cut in stone and surely there will be modifications as we go along and discover additional considerations.
For the most part, NTrak standards will be followed with deviations where necessary.
Wiring will be 4 runs per table, 5 for the switch yard. A red, yellow, blue, white and black line be used and will be of 16 gage wire using cinch-jones connectors between tables. We understood that the NTrak standard calls for 18 gauge wire for track wiring and 16 gauge wiring for the AC run, however, we decided to use 16 gauge throughout due to ease of installation and standardization of cost.
The red line is the outer main. The yellow line is the inner main. The blue line is the branch line. The white line is the AC line. The black line will be the switch yard which crosses only two tables.
The layout is of DCC design. Although a greater cost, we felt it would be easier to build from scratch than it would be to convert later on. Our intentions are to acquire a Digitrax Super Chief and at least 2 DT400 throttles (one for me and one for Denise).
The layout is to be isolated into power districts as used with DC. We elected to do this in the event that our modules become incorporated into a DC layout.
Due to environmental constraints all tables are to be 5' in length rather than the NTrak standard 2', 4' or 6'. This will allow maximum utilization of the space available to us yet allow for future expansion.
With our desire to scenic the layout, we elected to make the tables 3' wide. That is, 2' of track usable table with 6" on each side of the table for additional scenery. This is in line with the NTrak standard.
We have a desire to incorporate wooden trestles and a gorge scene, so we decided that one table will be half as tall as the other 7. That is, we will have 7 tables that are 40" high and one that is 20" high. This will accommodate the appearance of a river gorge that will include our trestles. The 40" height is in line with the NTrak standard.
There will be 4 control panels included in the layout. Each control panel will accommodate 2 tables each. The DCC system will include a throttle connection on each panel to accommodate movement between panels as desired.
As you can see, we have our work cut out for us, however, we feel that sticking to these decisions as much as possible will provide us with a relatively trouble free layout for the long haul.
Please feel free to check in occasionally to see how we progress.
Well, there have been some changes made due to environmental concerns. These Changes Include:
Two of the eight tables were put into storage as we have to share half our running area with my son's band. This should change in the near future as rumor has it that they are looking for new digs. Once that happens, the two tables will be brought out of mothballs and incorporated into the layout. One table as a yard extension and the other is to be determined at a later date.
An additional two tables will be incorporated at a later date. These tables will be 3' X 4'. One will be a lift bridge as we are both getting too old to crawl under the tables. The second table is to be determined at a later date.
One 3' X 5' table that we are currently using was originally going to become a lift bridge but it's current location makes that impossible. With that being said, it was reworked with new red, yellow and blue lines and will be used for switching on the blue line with a small city scenario. Pictures will be posted soon.
The current switch yard is completely unacceptable as it does not provide enough space to accommodate the rolling stock and/or the motive power we have. As a result, we used a fanning technique to provide more space for both. We also isolated several spurs and created a control panel to control power to the individual sidings. This was done in order to have the ability to turn off power to any DC powered motive power (DCC ID 0).
A siding that is off of the red line in the original design was rewired to create a programming track for DCC use.
Additionally, we have pretty much completed the following:
The rapido to micro-trains truck/couplers conversion of our legacy rolling stock. Several conversion cars have been made to accommodate the motive power that have not yet been converted.
An Athearn 4-6-6-4 Challenger has been added to the motive power roster. This engine has micro-trains couplers and MRC DCC with sound. It's a fantastic piece of modeling and a very strong runner. We have run with 53 pieces of rolling stock and the engine didn't even break into a sweat.
A Life-Like Heritage 2-8-8-2 Mallet has been added to the motive power roster. This engine has micro-trains couplers and a Digitrax DZ123 DCC decoder. This is a great looking model and a very smooth runner. I guess we've become rather spoiled by the Challenger as this engine is not a very strong pulling engine. No regrets but a small level of disappointment.
A ConCor Galloping Goose was added to the motive power roster. It is a DC engine and will most probably remain as such as there doesn't seem to be enough room to install a decoder. What can I say, it's very cute.
All of our legacy motive power has been converted to DCC. All but two of the engines were converted using Digitrax DZ123. The Challenger has a MRC decoder and one of the Western Maryland BL-2s has a Lenz decoder installed.
A couple of Auxiliary Water Tenders have been added. I thought it would look pretty cool with the Challenger.
Various pieces of rolling stock have been added with more on the way.
Well, that's about it for right now. Keep your eyes open for future updates and pictures. As always, enjoy.
Well, there have been quite a few things going on in the past month or so.
First, my son's band has finally moved out of the basement and thus dramatically increasing the amount of room that the layout can occupy.
Second, after a visit to one of our BANTRAK members home, it was decided that we would completely renovate our layout. The floor plan of the layout was such that most of his basement provided an open access leaving plenty of living space left over for use as a den, television room, etc.
With all that being said, new plans were drawn up that will provide for two reverse loops, one at each end of the layout. The three rails are to still be used per the NTRAK standards (red, yellow and blue). The layout will follow the walls of the basement providing an open access to the layout. That is, no lift bridge or crawl under will be necessary. The layout will also occupy both rooms of the basement. This will provide for an overall layout size of 10' X 40'.