Hidden Yard ready

I finished laying the hidden yard's tracks this weekend. I've used Minitrix flex tracks, turnouts and point motors. This will not be the type of track used in the rest of the layout (it will be Peco code 55), but I already had this tracks from a previous layout, so I don't have to waste money....

I put 7 detection sections, each one between 20 and 30 cm long: 5 in the end of each track, and two more dividing two of the tracks. This will allow me to store 3 long and 4 short trains hopefully.

TIP: If your detection section doesn't detect if just half of a car has entered (a car is between the detection and the previous section) it's because you used the wrong rail. Try with the opposite or interchange the supply wires and it will work perfect.... LOL

I used Uhlenbrock detection modules and also Uhlenbrock output modules for the point motors:

Now I'll stop until Peco track arrives, and meanwhile I'll continue practicing and doing tests with ballasting and rock painting.

Final Design

I fixed the final design for the layout thanks to some good recommendations from some JNSF members:

I sacrificed two staging tracks on le left and used them to ascend to the mountain, instead of installing switches in the main line like the previous design. This allows to run trains from the main station to the mountain independently of what's running in the main line. The only doubt still in my head is if I ascend with a double track or just one track allowing double sense of travel. In this second option I could keep one of the staging track....... will continue thinking about it.......

Here there is a render for those with lack of imagination like me:

Electrical Tip: loop and feeders

That's the cheaper and best way I found to connect the tracks to the DCC current:

* Create a loop with the main wires from the station arround the layout. In my case, I use 1,5mm gauge for this main loop.

* If you use flex track connect each one to the main loop with a feeder (0.75 mm gauge seems to work well), otherwise put a feeder at least in each meter of tracks. There is no problem with an excess of feeders, it's better than having isolated sections because of bad contacts.

 

And that's what I build to connect feeders to the loop. You only have to buy a sheet of baquelite with continous tracks and solder these terminals. Screw this in each point of the loop where you need to connect feeders. In the market you can find terminals as long as you need, but also can join some of them to make a feeder with so many outputs as you need.

 

This also allows you to isolate wires, tracks or sections in case you are searching the reason for a failure because makes it very easy to disconnect wires or place the tester directly in the metallic screws of each wire.

And for organizing wires, those auto adhesive clips are marevelous!! I also use adhesive bridle bases, this will be shown in other post.

See you soon!