I probably mentioned at one time my plan to use JMRI and Digitrax to run block occupancy and signal logic. Well, with my idea of switching back to manual turnout control that sorta changes a lot of the signaling logic I once needed.

With everything running on DCC (turnouts, block occupancy, signals), JMRI would be able to prototypically change aspects. With this system, something like throughing a turnout to a siding would have all signals appropriate signals by the computer.

With manual turnouts though, I loose that feedback logic to the DCC system and I pretty much can only run a signal system based on occupancy (as far as I can tell).

I began to think if that’s the direction I’m headed, why bother with the expense and time of programming JMRI to run a block signal system when I can use Atlas’ “Plug-N-Play” signal system to the same thing. It would simulate signal logic to a certain point, which for my use (ie: no multi-user super prototypical operating sessions), would work fine.

Since the Atlas Block Detector was made for DC, I would have to pick up some NCE BD-20 DCC block detectors.

I’m sorta starting to lean in this direction for the Signal system. I’m also kinda liking the idea of not having to boot up the computer/software everytime I wanna run the layout. The Atlas system would be totally self contained on the layout power.

More info:

Atlas N-scale System | NCE BD-20 Block Detector

Shaun Previous Layout

At least that’s what it feels like.

Here’s the drafts I came up with last night for a point-to-point layout.

The level 1 yard would be made to simulate just the beginning of a much larger yard. (ie: a mirror would be used to simulate tracks just keep on going).

I would keep some hidden staging along level 1’s north wall. Just to have a spot to hide some trains that go to where I call “some other place”. (ie: build a train either yard and send off to “some other place”) until another session.

I was also toying around with the idea of creating maybe a little staging cart, something I can butt up against the south end of level 1, to run some other “ready to roll” trains as run-throughs. I would want to store the cart under the layout on the south wall, so I would have to figure out a way to raise the track up and down about 4-5″ from cart top to layout level.

I’m also debating on going back to all manual turnout control. One goal with the continuous loop was to be able to build fully computer controlled scenarios, utilizing the full east/west hidden staging yards. With a point-to-point, I don’t think that would work as I would want.

Oh, and another reason for manual turnouts. $$$

At 39 turnouts, that’s almost $700 in tortoise devices alone, plus another $500 or so for decoders. That’s almost $1200!

Humpyard manual turnouts – around $253. Little easier on the wallet.

So… I’ll probably use humpyard manual turnout throws for every turnout. I’d still like to have signaling work with block occupancy using Digitrax and JMRI. Though I’m not sure how to incorporate manual turnouts into this. For example, when I throw a switch, how will the system now that and set the signal aspects according.

Also, the staging area will be hooked up with IRdot-p detectors for automatic train stopping.

All and all I think things are coming together and I’ll still end up with a good layout. I won’t be able to sit back and watch trains run around the layout continuously, but at least I’ll still be able to watch trains on a layout.

Shaun Previous Layout

Howdy all,

Been a while since my last update, but mostly cause not much has happened. Finally got all the shelf standards installed, and brackets up. I’m in process of mounting a 2×2x15 piece of wood to each bracket. This will help for support of the top plywood, make mounting that easier, give me place to drill hole or two for cables, and give me a little for under benchwork electronics.

Today I picked up some 1/4″ plywood from lowes to start seeing how the top bencwork will look.

Well, I ran into one of these “It looks better on paper than in real life moments.”

It’s the turn-around on the bottom of the layout. The two levels of 36″ deep shelving just isn’t going to work as I hoped. It’s too deep for the shelf brackets, the top level seems to swallow up the lower, and it just doesn’t look good.

So now I’m trying to figure out what to do. The obvious solution is to just do a point to point layout.

I’m thinking of putting small yard at each level’s end now to simulate the deliver of freight from one city to the next.

The “mountain pass” area with remain on the lower level but only on the north wall, with staging behind.

The west wall would then be turned into the 2nd yard.

One crazy idea could to swap the office doors to swing outward into the front room and build two removable bridge to span the doors and then just run a small maybe 5″ deep section along that east wall back to helix. If I wanted to keep the option to run continuously.

Hmm… What to do…

Shaun Previous Layout