SPRINGFIELD TRACK AND ROADBED - 1

Track laying and roadbed preparation are underway in Springfield.  Springfield is in the middle of the current benchwork, so it represents a spot to start with and build in both directions.  Contrasting with the yard areas at Oakridge and Eugene Depot, Springfield represents a “typical town site”—if such can be declared for this layout.  Springfield actually has as many turnouts as either yard, but it has more typical track arrangements for other spots along the main line. 

Construction has been a bit slow, as each task establishes precedents for the rest of the layout.  That means lots of research, design solutions, and hardware purchase.  Spurred on by an upcoming layout tour, the “analysis paralysis” has been broken by a need to make decisions and move on.

The first task was to overlay the full size track plan with track components: switches and flex track.  The one foot grid drawn on the paper plan was matched up with a similar grid drawn on the plywood table top.  Adjustments to the paper plan were made based on the actual switch geometry (e.g., Fast Tracks #8 switches vs. the plan use of copies of Walthers-Shinohara #8s).  When I was satisfied with the track, I removed the paper plan--carefully pulling it from underneath the track.  The track was realigned and the center lines marked.

Springfield track layout.

RR-East Springfield track layout.

Marcola Branch track layout and main line extending toward Westfir.

Marking track layout center lines and critical switch locations (frog and throwbar).

Roadbed for “complex” switchwork will use sheet cork pads.  I had plenty of sheet cork left over from the yard area covering, so cutting out pads rather than cutting and fitting cork strips represents a time-saver.  Paper templates for the pads were created by rubbing a pencil along the rail tops on the paper as it overlaid the track.  The paper was then taped to the cork sheet and cut out.

Paper template creation for “complex” trackwork roadbed pads.

The track was then gently shifted out of the way so roadbed could be laid.   Switch throwbar actuating holes were drilled before roadbed was applied.  The “complex” trackwork pads were laid first, followed by strip cork (Midwest Products Co.).  The mainline uses HO cork strips which are the same thickness as the cork sheet (5 mm thick).  Secondary trackage gets N-scale cork (3 mm thick).  I will sand transition ramps between the two levels before permanently attaching the track.  The throwbar holes were completed through the cork once the glue dried.  As with the yard area sheet cork, the roadbed strips and switch pads are attached with carpenter’s glue.

Switch pad.

Attaching switch pad using convenient weights and push pins.

The N-scale roadbed needs three strips to cover the width of HO track.  This ends up a little wide, so the roadbed will be trimmed later using a small router.  The switch pads will be trimmed at the same time.

Springfield roadbed installation underway.

As I complete the Springfield roadbed installation, the next tasks include the aforementioned roadbed height faring, switch machine installation, and preparation for a couple of Kadee under track magnets.  Wiring will assume center stage.

BEGINNING DCC

Construction of my SP Cascade Line has progressed to the point where serious consideration must be given to the electrical arrangements for it.  Just as track, especially turnouts, is the critical foundation stone of any railroad (12 “ to the foot included), the electrical system becomes critical for a model railroad.  In my typical “analyze it to death—and beyond” mode, I’ve spent much of the past couple of months studying, planning and refining the electrical plan for the railroad.

Three major electrical systems stand out: the throttle system (how to control the locomotives), switch control, and the signal system.  All three must be provided for the SP Cascade Line.  Sound (good current practice) standard installations with good wiring practices (neat, labeled, easily swapped out) are essential to successful functioning and maintenance of this large project.  That principle drove me into the manuals and validation of my overall concept and hardware design over the past couple of months. 

The throttle system for the SP Cascade Line will be a North Coast Engineering (NCE) radio system.  This choice was made many years ago, but is only now beginning to be realized in hardware.  More on the initial hardware appears below.  A Digital Command Control (DCC) system would be needed as this layout is designed for operations.   The model railroad operating community has come to expect the features of independent locomotive control on the same track, provided by DCC.  The DCC decision was not as easy as it might appear, as I am faced with a lifetime accumulation of locomotives that will now need decoders installed.  Southern Pacific steam locomotives often use Vanderbilt tenders (cylindrical water tank), presenting additional challenges to decoder (and possibly sound speaker) placement.   The operating requirements of the railroad drove the choice.

The key feature that drove me to selecting NCE is their user-friendly interface with the throttle.  I spent a career designing cockpit interfaces to make a pilot’s job easier, so I am particularly sensitive to easily understood and performed control interfaces with hardware.  Guided by thoughts Joe Fugate posted on his Siskiyou Line website, I investigated and used each of the major systems, thereby validating thoughts Joe expressed.  Fortunately, I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area at the time and had access to most of these systems: NCE, Digitrax, Easy DCC, and Lenz.  While each system has at least one strong point, I found the total system design by NCE made the best choice for me and the intended operations on the dream railroad.  One of those operations involves the potential of adding and removing a point helper on a passenger train.  In practical DCC terms, this means making and breaking “consists” during an operating session, something made easier by NCE’s throttle design.

With the choice of system made, the hardware manifestation of that choice remained dormant until I moved into the dream house with the dream basement.  I purchased my NCE PowerCab prior to the move, but used it only for a little bit of locomotive checkout.  Sound in locomotives adds a new dimension to model railroading!  The PowerCab will be used mostly as the “programming throttle,” as it also has a good USB computer interface.  I did get my PowerCab upgraded with a radio board, so it can serve as an additional full-feature throttle on the layout.  (Thanks Mark S!)

PowerCab with independent programming track and Bowser-Stewart DRS-615 loco.

With track being laid, the need for the layout throttle plan became more real.  My preliminary plan featured three ten amp boosters feeding power districts via DCC Specialties PSX circuit breakers.  The idea behind the 10 amp capacity was to provide plenty of current reserve for recovery from electrical shorts in the presence of many sound-equipped locomotives.  As I moved closer to hardware purchase, I revisited this design choice and changed it to more conventional (for HO scale) 5 amp boosters.  The 5 amp boosters are better suited to the dispersed power needs of the SP Cascade Line track plan.

SP Cascade Line Throttle Power Booster Location Plan, January 2013

The current throttle booster plan was developed and passed on to my electronics brain trust for review.  The choices are mine, but I listened carefully to my advisors. 

A side note is appropriate about those advisors.  I was fortunate to fall into a weekly gathering of model railroaders in the South Bay Area—Silicon Valley—during the past half dozen or so years.  The “DCC Lunch” provided a forum for exploring many ideas related to model railroad electronics and operations.  Week after week, we met at the local Chili’s restaurant, gathering for good food, comradery, and often enlightening discussion.  I miss those guys, but such is the price of moving to a dream location and a dream home.  That Chili’s just closed.  I wish my former lunch mates good fortune in finding a suitable new venue.  The Santana Row Chili’s provided a wonderful venue and was part of the chemistry that made the DCC Lunch gathering click.

With my booster and power district plan developed and reviewed, it became time to purchase the initial building block—a DCC “starter system.”  Shown below is a test “installation” intended to test the functioning of the new PowerHouse Pro-Radio command station and booster.  It has been great fun putting into practice the theoretical knowledge gained over the years.   My former DCC Lunch-mates and others in the SF Bay Area may now smirk, laugh and wonder: “What took you so long?”

Test “installation” of NCE PowerHouse Pro-R with Athearn Genesis SP GP-9 locos and bay window caboose—with lights and loco sound.

Now that I have had fun playing with basic decoder settings, loco control and sound, it is time to complete some track laying, wire it and provide switch machines!

PRODUCING TURNOUTS

With the distractions and diversions of the Holidays behind us, my focus has returned to railroad construction.  Fabricating another seven turnouts was high on my list, allowing me to expand track laying through Westfir into Oakridge.  An assembly line was in order.  Eli Whitney and Henry Ford would be proud as I fabricated multiple parts  (frogs, points, stock rails) and then assembled these pieces into full turnouts.  I am coming up the learning curve on turnout fabrication using Fast Tracks™ jigs and tools (http://www.handlaidtrack.com/), so my time per turnout is coming down rapidly.  Those seven turnouts were built over the past two days. 

Seven new turnouts, ready to be glued to their QuickSticks™ ties.  Also shown are additional parts for a frog, points, and guard rails.

An important part of the learning process is figuring out what clamps to use and where (and when) to place them.   Also important is the development of additional tools, fixtures or jigs.  I alluded to one in the previous post on forming track.  Here is a close-up of the simple jig I created to hold a tie while filing insulation gaps.  This is simply a styrene base with a pair of .040x.060” strips flanking the tie.  A few marks help with common notch locations such as the pair of notches on the throw-bar illustrated in the image.

Tie holding jig for insulation notch filing.

I am quite pleased with the Fast Tracks™ system and with the range of tools they provide.  I elected to purchase new files from Fast Tracks™, figuring most of my files have suffered long years of use and abuse.  Further, the turnouts being built are critical parts of the railroad—nothing but the finest for them!  I am very happy with this decision, as it netted me excellent tools, well suited to the tasks fabrication required.   They will be amortized over the roughly sixty #8 turnouts I must build for the SP Cascade Line.  The triangular file illustrated with the tie notch tool is a good example of a tool perfectly suited to the task.  Another is the point file (from old automotive distributor point filing).  The one Fast Tracks™ provides is good as a file, and even more, forms a perfect HO-scale flange-way!  As I have stated previously, I am a very satisfied customer!