Hi,To get this right the first time around, I'm in need of help in getting the correct locations of the drop feeds to make sure that power gets to the rails.
I'm using a Digitrax DCC system.
Here's the photo of the 3'x8' module with my thinking were all the drops need to be placed.
Therefore, do I have enough drops for the switching tracks and located in the right places? Any guidance in getting this right the first time would be appreciated. I kept the drops off of the switches, for easier removal and repair if needed.Craig
GoleyC
What types of turnouts are you using? Are they power routing? I have Peco Code 55 (N scale) track with electro-frog turnouts. These are power routing, but I negated that feature because I wanted to run loco's one both tracks at the same time. What I did, and this may have been overkill, was have insulating gaps one every rail after the frog. This way, all of the tracks are live at all times. If your turnouts are power routing, at a minimum I think you will have to insulate the track where two turnouts have the frog ends facing each other (like inside your green oval).
Scott
All the switches and the multi-switch are PECO insul-frogs.
Craig.
If you solder the rail joiners then one set of feeders are needed for the mains and each yard track. That is what I have done on all my modules. Some are more then 8 years old and the newest is 3 years old. Mine are also three separate districts. The third main which has the most switches to the yards is one district and the two other mains are each a separate district.
Be careful ballasting the Pecos. I drop a little light oil on the points and the little contacts under the points before gluing the ballast down.
The Club I am in uses the six inch joiner tracks between modules. Having rail right to the edge eventually gets damaged. I had yard track to the edge of one module that got nicked and ripped the rail out of the ties. Giant humidity and temperature swings also take a toll on them. Getting carried to and from the truck in the snow and rain with wind gusts. Then you get the errant hands and elbows from people at shows. Modules take a beating more so than a permanent layout.
Looks good.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Yes, all rail joiners will be soldered.
Thinks for the feedback on the drops. Should there be a feed inside the green oval, that is my only real concern?
PECO switches will be scrutinized thoroughly when ballasting to keep them from getting fouled up or build up of unwanted ballast between the points and the snap-spring.
As for the ends and the possible issue of things getting screwed up has already been addressed. We will be using 5/8" plywood, which are 2" higher than the rails, to make ends that are screwed into place for moving the modules. This will keep those issues of track damage and also allow for the units to be moved and stood on ends for storage and transporting in the box truck.
Happy Training here we come!
With the insulated joiners next to the main line turnout then the feeders in the green circle would be tied into the yard booster buss line. I put feeders to every rail if there are no soldered joiners even the turnouts have feeders. I have never had to replace a Peco turnout but they are not soldered in either.
Flip the flextrack over and you'll see that there is usually a gap at the center for soldering feeders to the bottom of the rails.
Springfield PA