How many accessories do you........

[Anonymous]

have on your layout? Are they more trouble than worth?(i.e. frequent wiring problems, malfunctions, etc.) What is your most favorite/least favorite?). The reason I ask is that some layouts seem to be overloaded with accessories and would be a wiring nightmare along with massive malfunctions.

[Anonymous]

Don,

We are currently running the following Lionel Post-war accessories on the display (floor) layout: Culvert Unloader, Culvert Loader, Lumber Mill, Gantry Crane, Water tower (reproduction), Milk Car, Switch Tower, Crossing Gates, Gateman, and Diesel Fueling Station, and Signal Bridges.

As the purpose of our Layout is to demonstrate DCS and all its features, we wanted to make sure to use all older Lionel accessories to show that DCS would support and operate them. All of the accessories which require a button press, or operator intervention are operated through DCS (via the AIU). The accessories which would normally require an insulated outside rail or a track contactor are operated via ITADs.

The wiring is a major issue, as this is a floor layout set up on indoor/outdoor carpeting, the wires are run on the surface. This gets to be pretty intense. All of the accessories had to be set up to be modular as well. Most are pretty reliable-Lionel really knew how to build them. They give the layout a lot more action and a lot more to interest both kids and adults. People get very interested when they see a 40 or 50 year old accessory operating from the DCS remote. Many do not realize that post-war and modern technology can work so well together.

[mersenne6]

I have almost all of them and if I tried to put everyone in place everytime it would indeed be a spaghetti bowl. Since all of my layouts are temporary, I usually choose a theme and bring out only those that match. For example, if I want to emphasize coal hauling - things like the #97 coal tower, or the coal ramp and coal loader combination working in tandem with side dump cars and interesting switching activity in and around the accessories generate all of the interest you could possibly imagine.
Of course, the "everyday" railroad accessories such as block signals, crossing gates, blinking warning lights, and the gateman, fit in everywhere and I usually put these at visually "dead" points on the layout. I also have all of them wired through a central on/off switch panel so that I can power them up when I choose to do so.
I've found that selectively and gradually turning on the accessories with the switch board not only keeps even the most bored visitor interested (since you never know what operates and what doesn't) it also really holds the attention of the interested visitors since gradual power up allows the observer to focus on one activity at a time in the context of overall train operation.

[Anonymous]

I have a decent amount. True, wiring can be a pain, but if you practice good habits from the beginning (ex. color-coding, labelling, running wires to similar locations) then that cuts down on the hassle.

I build many of my own animations, since it gives my layout a more 'original' look.

[cnw1995]

Only one. An old beat-up pre-war gateman I'll try to figure out how to get working. I wish I had some more. I hope someday to be able to find a coal loader - that one sounds like fun.

[bowlerp]

We have 14 operating accessories on our large high-rail layout, if you include operating buildings and oil derricks. Most are there to represent an industry in some kind of logical way. Some, like Harry's Barbershop and the Lionel Hobby Shop, are there because they are cool and visitors love to watch them. All are permanently wired to a control panel with on-off toggles and are fairly reliable except for the usual flying pieces of ice or logs, etc. I would like to make them command controlled, but have other priorities right now.

[Kooljock1]

I just counted 28 up and working. I ran out of room for the coal ramp and conveyor loader.

Next layout!

Jon [8D]

[Anonymous]

Well, I have a fair amount of accessories on my layout. It isn't crammed with them or anything and my layout is large enough that they're spread out so that the wires aren't all in the same place. I'm not exactly a genius when it comes to any complex wiring, but my accessories are all postwar and so not very difficult to hook up. I still have to hook up my 97 coal elevator, just haven't quite gotten around to that just yet. None of my wiring's colour-coded, so if there's a problem I just have to follow it.

[Chris F]

Don,

I have 50 on the layout so far (operating accessories is the main reason I chose 3-rail O-gauge in the first place). All have been test-run to determine optimum operating Voltage, but some have not yet been permanently installed. This number does not include the trackside accessories (crossing gates, block signals, signal bridges, etc.), since I'm waiting until I'm finished with track laying details before installing these.

With the exception of a 45N gateman, all accessories are modern era. In general, the reissues of the PW accessories are more reliable, but there still are occasional problems. I don't mind because I like tinkering (no circuit board problems - so far). I will note that I located the operating accessories near the front edges of the layout for easier access. Buildings and other non-operating accessories are to the rear.

My wiring is simpified because I use buss wiring for Hot as well as Common wires. Five wires run around the aisle side of my around-the wall layout: White (Common), Red (10V), Yellow (12V), Blue (14V), and Green (16V). The Hot wires are connected to PW transformers set to the different voltages. These transformers are phased to share the same common as the modern ZW that runs the trains. To connect an accessory, all I have to do is drop wires through the table and splice them to the nearest Hot and Common buss wires. For some accessories, I wired in a regular household light switch to control power.

[Anonymous]

I've got a 4x8 layout with 7 operating accessories. Wiring was not difficult. The only problem I have is that I have exceeded the 80 watt capacity of my BW power supply and still have room for 7 additional accessories. [:)] Guess that's a nice problem to have.[:D]

Steve

[Anonymous]

The reason I asked this question was that manufacturers like Lionel, MTH and K-Line are coming out with some really neat acccessories that would really animate a layout. On my revised layout, I want to put in an accessory-laden design over scenery. They really draw the eye to the layout.

[rthomps]

I don't think one can have TOO many accessories on the layout. If there's space, there's space for an accessory[8D].

It's all a matter, really, of personal taste, budget, and vision (of the layout). What's the goal? My goal is activity that stirs interest. Accessories offer that.

Wiring CAN be a problem. Careful/concientious wiring can overcome that....

[Anonymous]

the closest to a asscesorie right now that i have is a uncoupuling tark that has eratic operaition[}:)]

[Anonymous]

On my O Gauge layout I have Lionel semaphores, block signals, aircraft beacon
(with vibrotor), and gateman. I have Marx crossing gates (more to scale than the
big Lionel ones), Corber bubbling water tower, and Ott Machine Works bell module
inside a plasticville station. Also several UCS and RCS sections around the layout
for operating cars. Also new issue blinking bill boards. Railroad accessories
such as the gateman and bell module, etc are tripped by insulated sections. No
moving contacts to go out of adjustment and no ITADs to get confused by room
lighting. water tower, beacon, and bill boards, etc. are simply powered from an
accessory line. The gateman, crossing gates, etc. are on several different sections
to achieve the random-operation concept that was described by 'mersenne6'. The
UCS ad RCS are wired so they can be controlled form my console or by conveniently
placed duplicate contollers near each section so that visitors can participate in
the operation of the layout. Children especially enjoy dumping coal, logs, etc.

My Standard Gauge layout is set up much the same, except that there are not
quite as many accessories. Naturally no UCS/RCS either.

[nitroboy]

Right now I have basically a 4x8 with a little extra on one corner. I have only one real operating accessory the 282 gantry. Working on getting some more though.

Dave

[Anonymous]

Here's what I have on my layout. Starting with the trackside items: 4 crossing gates, 1 banjo signal, 4 highway signals, 3 gateman (two pre 49 metal ones, one plastic), 2 block control signals, and one 1045 flagman. Operating accessories include: lumbermill, coal ramp, log loader, AF coal station, oil drum loader, gantry crane, 138 water tower, rotary beacon, freight station with the guys handling baggage, barrel loader, oil derrick, switch tower, icing depot, and MTH gas station. All are Lionel accessories except for the AF(MTH) coaling station and MTH gas station. Most of the Lionel accessories are postwar with some updated versions (gantry crane and ice depot). The operating accessories are on individual switches around the layout and controlled by a separate ZW transformer. The trackside accessories are train activated and can be shut off so you don't have to put up with buzzing selenoids and clanging doors all the time. I also have platforms for the cattle car and milkcar. There are numerous RC track sections around the layout, with most being used to uncouple trains and a few used to unload at the lumber mill and log loader facilities.

My favorite accessories are the clunky pre 49 gateman, gantry crane, lumber mill, MTH gas station, and the very clever oil drum loader.

Ain't this hobby great?

[Anonymous]

I have over 40. I think my favorite is the Lionel Nuclear Reactor. I dont know what it is but I just love that accessory. I added a "nuclear meltdown" push button sound box ( like the ones you put on your refrigerator and it added to the fun! I still am longing for the Lionel Rocket launcher. I will have to look on ebay or one of the local shops may still have one!

[Anonymous]

I have a Lionel Automatic Crossing Gate & Signal. It works OK, but it is really big compared to my other buildings and people and stuff. I also have an old Lionel Rotating Beacon #494. It uses a special bulb that makes the beacon go around. It doesn't want to work all the time so I have to blow on the beacon to get it started. Is there another way I can make the beacon go around?

[Anonymous]

I have too many to fit on my small layout, and I've run out of real estate. There are so many good small accessories coming out these days, that I've come up with a new policy of rotation similar to what I do with my engines. I now wire my newer accesories, like the playground swings or the operating signman, with plenty of slack, so that I can just unclip them and put in another accessory of similar size.

[Anonymous]

Pease;

Check your #494 Beacon. See if it has a coil (wrapped in black) around the
base of the lamp socket. If it does, then just get a "vibrotor" beacon head,
and you might have to change over to a smaller-globe bulb to clear the head,
and all will be well. this accessory came with just a lamp base and also with
a coil at the base. Many times when the old rubber "feet" in the vibrotor head
wore out people just bought the dimpled bulb and the convection-vented
beacon head to get the thing to (sorta/kinda) work again. Nowadays you can
get replacement washers and even complete replacement beacon heads.
Check with your local hobby shop for a supplier for these parts. They are still
being made. This is a popular and relatively trouble-free accessory. You need
to supply about 14-16 volts for good rotation of the beacon head.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to thank all of you guys who helped me out on my problem with my Lionel beacon light. I did what you said and checked. It has a coil at the base of the light socket so I talked to a friend of mine at work who is into trains and he gave me the name and address and phone number of a place near me called ALFRA ENGINEERING who stocks Lionel replacement parts. I didn't know the part number so he helped me over the phone to figure out what my part was. He is sending it right out so I should have it in a couple of days. He says that these things wear out after a while and when mine wears out I can just replace the special rubber washer inside of it. I'll probably order a spare washer if this new part works OK. Thanks again to all of you for your help.