I grew up with HO trains. My sons (2 of them) have carried on the tradition. Now I am ready to get back into model trains again. I am basically starting from scratch and have opted to go with N scale rather than HO. The reason for this is I no longer have any of the trains I had growing up and I never had my own layout. I also am limited on space. I have designed what I would call a rather aggresive layout with will cover 3 1/2' x 6'. I will have 3 levels which the trains will roll on. I have set aside a fair amount of money for the layout and am now contemplating the control system.
I am not yet ready to go with DCC (I am a bit of a traditionalist). I also do no want too much going on to confuse me or the grandsons. There is also the money issue. I have already spent more than my allowance. The system my father designed was a simple box mounted to side of the layout (8'x4') which he could control the speed of the engine, forward / reverse, and the power to any section of track or the sidings Each section of powered track or siding had a light next to the switch that would light up when power was on there. I would like to go with something like this but expand it to include in the box switches and lights which control the siding switches. I also was to include a key switch power over ride so I can reduce the maximum power available when the grandsons are running the trains. Another feature I want to have is the control box not permanently mounted to the layout. I would like a 6'-8' cord which would allow me to move around the table to view the train and control it from different angles.
I am sure there are people out there that have something in the way of a schematic that I could start with. Can anyone help me with this?
As a start I would browse around here and other forums. With the limited space you have N gauge might be the best way to go.
Springfield PA
Your control panel sounds fairly involved to me. I suggest you check out some of the wiring books at your local hobby store (or a train show) and see if they meet your needs.
Good luck
Paul
Been a busy weekend. We are ion the middle of a complete bathroom remodel. Here are couple of comments to the replies.
1. There is only one hobby store in town and he is just getting into. He opened his store last October and may not make it with the economy. His stock is limited, but he is willing to see what he can find from his suppliers for track and such. Not the best of sources, but a great guy to help anyway he can. The next store is 15 miles away and they didn't have anything they could think of to help either. I think most stored just want to sell you a controller.
2. As I have explained my wish list for a controller to my son he is in agreement that it would not take much to figure out once he has the time after he graduates and gets established in his new job. For those who might know think of the song by Harry Chapin "Cats in the cradle". He may never have the time, so I am trying to find as much as I can.
I just want to find the best starting point for a controller before I get into actually building the layout. I don't think it would hinder what I do but I don't want to keep changing it in midstream. I will keep looking and searching other posts in this forum.
El Simon I am not yet ready to go with DCC (I am a bit of a traditionalist). I also do no want too much going on to confuse me or the grandsons. There is also the money issue. I have already spent more than my allowance. The system my father designed was a simple box mounted to side of the layout (8'x4') which he could control the speed of the engine, forward / reverse, and the power to any section of track or the sidings Each section of powered track or siding had a light next to the switch that would light up when power was on there. I would like to go with something like this but expand it to include in the box switches and lights which control the siding switches. I also was to include a key switch power over ride so I can reduce the maximum power available when the grandsons are running the trains. Another feature I want to have is the control box not permanently mounted to the layout. I would like a 6'-8' cord which would allow me to move around the table to view the train and control it from different angles. I am sure there are people out there that have something in the way of a schematic that I could start with. Can anyone help me with this?
If I understand you correctly, you are asking for help reverse-engineering your father's DC control system he used on his HO layout. After understanding how it works, you want to modify/expand the system to use on your new N layout.
Obviously, what you are asking is impractical without a lot more information from you. Wiring diagrams and photos would be needed to begin to understand how your father wired things. And even if I did understand the wiring and controls, and designed the modifications you wanted, how would you maintain it?
The best path forward I see is for you to learn and understand your father's and model railroad wiring. I strongly recommend a book on model railroad wiring - our forum host sells a pretty good one called Easy Model Railroad Wiring, 2nd Edition (http://www.kalmbachstore.com/12207.html). You can save money with used model railroad wiring books - the information for DC hasn't changed much. By understanding the book, you can trace wires and determine whether your father used block or section control, coommon rail or not, and so on.
Personally, I'm not a fan of turnout and block indication lights on a central control panel. I prefer walk-around control, with the turnout controls located on the fascia of the layout. No indicator lights are needed because I can see what the situation is. And I would much rather watch my train directly than watch a series of lights telling me where the train is and what the situation is. But that's me. After understanding a model railroad wiring book you will be able to include indicator lights if you so desire.
Whether the controller is reusable as is for N depends on whether a rheostat or transistor circuits were used to control voltage to the locomotive. Rheostat control works pretty poorly for newer N engines because they draw so little current. However, by building your own transistor-based walk-around throttle, you can overcome this possible problem. Some circuits for building your own throttles are at http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/Throttles.html and http://www.awrr.com/throttle.html. Here is a picture of a very simple throttle I built in the late '70s (and still use):
I used an AHM train set power pack with a broken rheostat for the power supply (used AC output).
hope this helps
Fred W
Before you jump back in step back and take a look at the total overall costs. Starting from scratch might make a bigger difference in the cost of going to DCC. First most new locos will be DCC ready. Second the cost of the complicated switches and wiring will be greatly minimized. Third you will have the walkaround throttle you are looking for.
I made the jump back in two years ago with much the same feelings as you about DCC. When I looked at the costs I was money ahead going DCC. I did have some older locos that have not yet been changed and might never be. They might be sold and replaced with new and possibly ones better suited to the path I have chosen.