Hi!
As background, I'm 65, and building what I consider to be my last layout. Its HO, 11x15, with a main level and lower level staging/storage area. It is a "replacement" for my previous layout (1993-2008), and incorporates what I found "right" with the previous one, and sidesteps what I considered "wrong".
The previous layout was DC, and had one major and one minor control panel. The control panels had amp/volt meters, reversing switches, and a plethora of block switches and turnout controls. They were impressive, but sure could be complicated if you hadn't run trains for a few days. For power, I had two MRC Controlmaster 20s for operation and a Controlmaster 1 for turnouts & lighting.
The new layout has completed benchwork, with the lower level and the main level double mainline trackage all in place. It is DCC (Digitrax with 2 boosters, 2 dt400 throttles, 8 breakers) and all DCC wiring is in place and tested. Existing trackage is also tested, and the bugs have been exterminated!
My next step is wiring in the turnout controls for those in place. While I will use Caboose Hobbies sprung ground throws for those close at hand, I'm using Atlas above/below solenoids for the others. Yes, I know there are more realistic ones out there, but these are easier (for me) to work with, and can be camoflauged (spell) without too much trouble.
The layout is essentially a room filling Oval with a duckunder to get into the center. The DU is high enough that it is not a major journey for my lousy knees and arthritic shoulder.
I put in some accessory bus wires around the layout about 4 inches or so from the inside fascia boards. I used 14 awg, with two sets (one for each half of the layout) connected to the Controlmaster 1. From these bus wires, I soldered in several "accessory leads" using 20 awg wires (all color coded).
On this layout, I've decided to mount the various turnout and other potential switches directly to the fascia boards, typically in line with the turnout(s) they control. Yes, I know this has been done by others for decades, but its a first for me. Frankly, I think it will be a major improvement towards easier operation, not having to figure out which switch on the control panel turns a particular turnout.
This, along with the not so sad loss of block and reverse loop switches (thank you DCC!) should go a long way in making operation easier, less frustrating, and just more fun. Perhaps I'll get into DCC turnout control later on, but for now this seems to be a good way to go.
Hey, I'd love to hear your comments and experiences and suggestions!
Thanks,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Before putting DCC turnout control off till the future, I'd consider trying at least a single turnout with an auxiliary controller made for dual coil switch machines. I use the NCE's but they are only for Stall motors. Digitrax has one and I'm sure others do as well. The difference is that the correct ones have the option of sending a single voltage pulse to switch the track rather than a steady voltage. Once you try DCC control and being able to switch from your throttle you might get hooked. I know I did.
Springfield PA