Tetter's Layout Progress and Other Pics.

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electric130

New Member
Aug 30, 2007
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Charlotte, NC
i had typed an explanation, but the internet crashed on me and it was lost.

PLC=programmable logic controller
BCD=binary coded decimal

a PLC takes inputs from switches, sensors, buttons, or touchscreens and based on the program will turn on outputs such as lights, motors, valves or indicators on a touchscreen. with a PLC and touchscreen, you can literally create any type of control system you can imagine. i do automated machine design and get to play with these all the time. very cool stuff. you don't have to have a touchscreen though. you can have just switches and lights.
 
tetters

tetters

Rail Spiking Fool!
Jan 21, 2005
879
0
16
50
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Cpdocksideswitchinglayout-2.jpg


So, I've decided I'm going to do this. Which means all work at this point will stop. I have to wait until well into the new year before I can start remodeling my layout. I have a couple of things on my shopping list that I will be picking up in the meantime.

I think I found the perfect tug to place in the harbor to go with my float.

sylvan_1027_1.jpg


Found here...http://www.bearcomarine.com/resin.htm

I am also glad that Walthers is bringing back their float. Pretty gosh darn convenient if you ask me.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-3152

So yeah...I dunno how else to put it. I've learned a lot and I look forward to applying what I have learned to this latest incarnation of my layout. It is also a chance for me to correct mistakes and things I don't like about my track work at this time. Now that I have found a homasote dealer, I plan to use it for a roadbed. Following the directions from another layout build website, here...http://www.housatonicrr.com/DIY_Roadbed.htm...I plan to make my own roadbed.

In the meantime I'll switch-out cars, build trains and practice things on this layout that I can apply to the new one. I plan for the re-construction to start in Feb/March.
 
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Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
Jan 27, 2007
1,219
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36
58
Paris, ON
Tetters,

Welcome to the wonderful world of "I can make that better" model railroading... or "Good just isn't good enough"!

I think most MRRers get this bug.

Homasote is great for handlaying, but as the website you listed says, it makes a LOT of dust. Don't rip it or kerf it in your basement. Maybe not your garage (if there's anything in there you don't want filled with dust). Definitely get a dust mask, and maybe goggles too. I wear contacts, and I found that the dust was especially irritating.

Good luck with planning the reno. I'd be willing to bet there'll be some changes to the track plan before you take a saw to the layout! ;) :)
 
tetters

tetters

Rail Spiking Fool!
Jan 21, 2005
879
0
16
50
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Thanks for the encouragement Squid. I feel kinda silly for even deciding to do this.

I have another mock up track plan which shows some structures and roads. I'm still playing with that one. However I'm kinda settled on this track plan. I think in my enthusiasm to get started I plowed on through this without ever realizing what I wanted to get out of this. I guess I just wanted to see if I could do it first. (i.e. hand lay track & t.o's, do the wiring, make it all work...etc...). I also laid down a ton of track which really serves no purpose other then to just be there. I found this out when playing around with things.

I read about that little tid bit about the dust that Homasote creates when cutting. Which is actually why I may not start cutting road bed until spring when I can do it outside. Thanks for pointing out the fact that a mask and goggles will certainly be a plus as well.

For the decking, I'm also going to beef it up to 3/4 ply. I used 3/8's and found that even though I had supports every two feet, it still bowed in some areas. So the structure will still be 2x3 framing, with a 3/4 ply deck and Homasote roadbed. Should be pretty damn rock solid when done. I'm going to try and salvage the 3/8's deck and scrape off what I can with a putty knife. I figure I can use it for shelving in the garage.

Looking at the track plan, is there any suggestions you could offer? I think its pretty sound and should give me some pretty reasonable operations, however I am not an expert on this particular topic.
 
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Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
Jan 27, 2007
1,219
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36
58
Paris, ON
Tetters,

Could you post your current track plan as an .XTC file? That way I could play with it and see what I can do in that space. Not that what you have done is wrong, or anything... I just like to monkey around.
 
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thumsup

Member
Jun 14, 2005
252
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Anaheim, California
Squidbait said:
Tetters,

Could you post your current track plan as an .XTC file? That way I could play with it and see what I can do in that space. Not that what you have done is wrong, or anything... I just like to monkey around.
Click to expand...

Squidbait,
If ya like monkeying around with track plans (and I know you do) I have a 3 foot by 8 foot area and no ideas. :cry:

Joe :thumb:
 
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Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
Jan 27, 2007
1,219
0
36
58
Paris, ON
thumsup said:
Squidbait,
If ya like monkeying around with track plans (and I know you do) I have a 3 foot by 8 foot area and no ideas. :cry:

Joe :thumb:
Click to expand...

Joe,

Start a new thread with your "Givens & Druthers" (if you haven't already), and I'll see what I can come up with!
 
tetters

tetters

Rail Spiking Fool!
Jan 21, 2005
879
0
16
50
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Squidbait said:
Tetters,

Could you post your current track plan as an .XTC file? That way I could play with it and see what I can do in that space. Not that what you have done is wrong, or anything... I just like to monkey around.
Click to expand...

If you send me a PM with your e-mail addy, I can fire off a copy of the file for you to play with.
 
S

Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
Jan 27, 2007
1,219
0
36
58
Paris, ON
Actually, if you like you can post it here. I lobbied the management to allow xtc and rts files to be added as attachments.


... unless you don't want to share... :twisted:
 
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