G Outside Control Panel?

 I built a back shed that houses the trains and controls in a corner of the yard.

The trains do go around it. The wires go out to the track in all directions from there. I use DCS so my remotes are wireless. They ultimately control the trains. The Bridgewerks DC packs have meters to see what's going on at the track. Sorry about the blurry photo:

you get the idea of where the packs are anyways. I had everything wired neatly. I added powered tracks inside the shed to drive the engines on. Those wires are just laying there, temporary for now. There were problems cropping up last year and I also had some test wires going to an extra piece of track to sort things out. I believe I pulled the TIU for main line #1 in this pic.

 Ask any questions you'd like and maybe I can make better sense of this!

Larry,

I recently install a BlueRail bluetooth board in my Bachmann 4-6-0 Annie, along with a 12v battery and two 3mm LEDs for lights.  I also installed a GEMS bluetooth sound board which runs off the battery.  I'm using my Ipad instead of wiring and a transformer.

Mine is inside but there's no reason it wouldn't work outside.

The sounds are generic and steam chuff is not really synced to the movement of the engine, but it's good enough for me.

Of course I removed all the old electronics except the motor (and used the Bachmann speaker).  All the components are in the tender with a 4-pin connector going to the engine.

NO wiring to the track!!!

Something to consider!

Hey Larry, I don't do the outside trains, but love watching them, I have been watching this guy build on youtube. here is his link! Good luck and please post as you go!

https://www.youtube.com/channe...uIolJlNL-XYhA7Yiw9EQ

Thanks Joe, Bob. When you two talk about G I always read it. I have been studying G for a while. I know just enough to screw something up. 

Im currently digging and tearing up the yard.lol. I have been accumulating a lot of stuff for several years planing this caper . It is only 20 by 40 or so but it's a challenge for sure. Is fun.��

I will continue to seek information and advice here as I did years back with my O gauge. I have tried other sites for G information and just seem to always return here to my favorite. Even if it is mainly O. 

Mike, I will check it out. 

Thanks  all for helping.

Larry

There are many different ways to control G trains outdoors.  It really depends on how complex you want to get.

The vast majority of garden railroads are simple loops with a couple of sidings.  Most garden railroaders are loop runners.  They turn on a train and watch it run through the garden while sipping a cool drink.  

The wiring for this simple.  You connect two wires to the track.  The transformer is kept in the house.  When you want to run trains you bring the transformer out, connect it to the wires, put the train on the track and let it run.  You use an extension cord to connect the transformer to the house current supply. It is exactly like setting up a loop of track around the Christmas tree.

Things get more complex if you are going to install a reversing loop or try to run multiple trains.  Most garden railroaders don't go to that trouble.

NH Joe 

My control panel for outside has wheels so it is normally inside the garage and moved outside when I am playing trains (1 gauge, 0 gauge, S gauge). Since I run all kind of trains I have LGB Jumbo, MTH Z4000, Märklin Digital, Märklin old fashioned AC and Lenz DCC controllers on my panel with one cable going to the 220 V mains. The drawers contain cleaning blocks, smoke fluid, some tools etc. and the DCC transformers and 220V to 110V transformers are in the bottom of the "car". At the back I choose with plugs the track (2-rail or 3-rail) connection with any controller.

Regards

Fred

NH Joe

Thanks for the information. You are right about simple loops and sidings. But as usual when I start fooling around with trains things get complicated fast. Lol I am looking into and reading about reverse loops.

A little more information It's going to probably start off with two dog bone shape tracks one inside the other using  LGB track and R 5 curves and maybe some R 3 and a unknown amount of sidings. For power to start with I have one USA 10 amp transformer with a short walk around cord and  a 10 amp MRC Power G transformer. I may just pick up another USA one at York and use the MRC for AC accessories only.

Fred

That is exactly what kind of ideas I was looking for on out side layout.  I seen one like that mounted on a pedestal that also looked great. Thanks for the photo. It looks great and I. Like the way you did it.

thanks again everyone.

Larry

i run my trains on track power.  i have my transformers in the garage the wire runs underground to the track.  i use the arstocraft old transmitter and receiver wireless dc system it works great.  layout has been outside for ten years no problem.  the key is to keep your track clean and i soldered wires across every rail joiner.  track is brass.  i clean the track with a dry wall sander on a broom handle.  use 220 grit sand paper on it.  the railroad runs great...

I don't run my outside G gauge locomotives at this time, but when I did I went rechargeable battery powered (NiMH) and R/C (LocoLinc). And did not bother with track power. 

Then your main problem will be keeping plant and tree growth under control and deal with general weather conditions. Electrical continuity becomes inconsequential unless you want to maintain battery charge through track power.

The big flaw to battery power, is that the batteries wear out. They have a limited life span. It is getting better. 

I chose track power so I could run large consists of engines all day without recharging.

It is extra work to maintain. It is a personal choice that needs to be made of how you want to run. There is no right answer. Each person should consider how many trains and for how long they wish to operate. Some people have battery tools that last. They may just use them occasionally. Some, wear them out faster because of rougher service.

 With battery tech. getting better, I can understand why people chose battery power. I have many cordless tools with Li-ion batteries. They still need replacing after extended use. I have a growing pile of old tools without good batteries. I still feel that brushless motors will someday help us here. Maybe something even better will appear?

TM Terry posted:

I don't run my outside G gauge locomotives at this time, but when I did I went rechargeable battery powered (NiMH) and R/C (LocoLinc). And did not bother with track power. 

Then your main problem will be keeping plant and tree growth under control and deal with general weather conditions. Electrical continuity becomes inconsequential unless you want to maintain battery charge through track power.

Am I right in thinking that going battery power would mean I have to change or rebuild every loco and lighted passenger car that I like to run in the garden? Or is there a smarter way?

Regards

Fred

sncf231e posted:

TM Terry posted:

I don't run my outside G gauge locomotives at this time, but when I did I went rechargeable battery powered (NiMH) and R/C (LocoLinc). And did not bother with track power. 

Then your main problem will be keeping plant and tree growth under control and deal with general weather conditions. Electrical continuity becomes inconsequential unless you want to maintain battery charge through track power.

Am I right in thinking that going battery power would mean I have to change or rebuild every loco and lighted passenger car that I like to run in the garden? Or is there a smarter way?

Regards

Fred

That sounds worse than I thought at the time. But every loco needed batteries and a controller. I didn't have passenger cars, so that was of no concern for me. But it seems that that too would need power from somewhere, be it track or batteries.