Tetter's Layout Progress and Other Pics.

electric130

New Member
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

Rail Spiking Fool!
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.
 

Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
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

Rail Spiking Fool!
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.
 

thumsup

Member
Oh no you don't. Don't even get that conversation going on in this thread! wall1
sign1

Probably should keep this thread on a serious model railroading note. Maybe the light well come on, so to speak :p and I can start some meaningful modeling of my own. :mrgreen:

Joe :thumb:
 

Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
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.
 

thumsup

Member
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.

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:
 

Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
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:

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

Rail Spiking Fool!
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.

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.
 

Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
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:
 

tetters

Rail Spiking Fool!
Ahhhh....I didn't realize I could do that. Here's hoping this worked. :thumb:
 

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