Re: m.levin's layout thread
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:58 am
Its been a while, last March I was placed on furlough, hoping that work could start on our extension this was put back, so I used that time to get some modelling done, but during that time we had some nice hot weather, which made working in the loft difficult. After about 5 weeks I returned back to work, on my first day back I was informed that my job role would change, this meant working more hours to reach my targets. At this point the extension work started so things have been very busy, which eats in to the loft time.
Now the extension is 95% completed and work is starting to level out, I still have loads of work to do around the house, but hopefully I can get some loft time in.
Whilst sanding and painting it gives you time to think, so I started to think about the next steps for the layout. The scenic isn’t going to change, so this will be done as and when, but I have started to think about the control side. I currently control my layout from my PC and have automatic running set up, as I just like to sit and watch the trains. I have added short circuit protect to the layout, breaking the layout up in to sections, this way if I get a short, from a train derailing on points and so on, it will shut down sections and not the whole layout, I have liked this up with some feedback that highlights on the RR&Co software which section has the short, I also added a timer that if the short isn’t sorted and a reset button on the screen isn’t pressed, then it shuts the whole layout down, just as extra protection.
But I have found that when I have a short at the other side of the loft or in the hidden section, I have to dart across the loft to press the small reset button on the screen. So my thoughts are to add local push buttons around the layout, which will do the same as the button on the screen, I have been looking at buttons that look similar to the EWS buttons found on locomotives, but they are not in the right price range and not that easy to find, so I may have to fabricate something.
I have also been thinking about making mimic panels, I have some feedback/input boards that communicate with the loconet, so I have been playing about with push buttons to switch points, I have ordered some RGB metal buttons so I can make it all look pretty and then using the built in point motor switch, to feedback to the mimic panel the direction the point is thrown. I then also thought about using the LED outputs on the BL168 detection boards to light up occupied sections. I also plan to add buttons to trigger the layout lighting and activate the loft lighting, that I have installed that simulates sunrise and sunset. The thing that’s slowing it down is what to mount them on, MDF, plastic, metal and how to mark up the rails/lines and numbering/lettering, painted, vinyl stickers, etching?
Now the extension is 95% completed and work is starting to level out, I still have loads of work to do around the house, but hopefully I can get some loft time in.
Whilst sanding and painting it gives you time to think, so I started to think about the next steps for the layout. The scenic isn’t going to change, so this will be done as and when, but I have started to think about the control side. I currently control my layout from my PC and have automatic running set up, as I just like to sit and watch the trains. I have added short circuit protect to the layout, breaking the layout up in to sections, this way if I get a short, from a train derailing on points and so on, it will shut down sections and not the whole layout, I have liked this up with some feedback that highlights on the RR&Co software which section has the short, I also added a timer that if the short isn’t sorted and a reset button on the screen isn’t pressed, then it shuts the whole layout down, just as extra protection.
But I have found that when I have a short at the other side of the loft or in the hidden section, I have to dart across the loft to press the small reset button on the screen. So my thoughts are to add local push buttons around the layout, which will do the same as the button on the screen, I have been looking at buttons that look similar to the EWS buttons found on locomotives, but they are not in the right price range and not that easy to find, so I may have to fabricate something.
I have also been thinking about making mimic panels, I have some feedback/input boards that communicate with the loconet, so I have been playing about with push buttons to switch points, I have ordered some RGB metal buttons so I can make it all look pretty and then using the built in point motor switch, to feedback to the mimic panel the direction the point is thrown. I then also thought about using the LED outputs on the BL168 detection boards to light up occupied sections. I also plan to add buttons to trigger the layout lighting and activate the loft lighting, that I have installed that simulates sunrise and sunset. The thing that’s slowing it down is what to mount them on, MDF, plastic, metal and how to mark up the rails/lines and numbering/lettering, painted, vinyl stickers, etching?