Hidden Pass Junction RR < >

Simply amazing no other words needed! 

Holy Big Boy Smoke, Batman!!  Where have I been to have missed this topic??  

Alex, I knew you had a super layout from other topics, but I totally missed this one!  While I like all types of trains, I really liked the Western Maryland Shay and logging operations!  Having seen the Big #6 at Cass, it is an all time favorite of mine!  

I see I have a lot of reading to do to catch up on this topic.  Thank you!

Thank you, Michael -

One thing I am contemplating doing is to include in this thread some of the additions and improvements that I have posted in other threads. This thread is good, as it starts at the beginning, but unfortunately it is not all inclusive of the layout as it now looks.

Thanks again!

Alex

I have created several threads that illustrate some of the improvements I have made to my layout, and I think it would be a good idea to include some of those pictures in this thread. Here are some of what I consider more significant. (As always, clicking on the pictures provides larger images, and allow you to advance from one picture to the next.)

The turntable that doubles as a hatch. (The smaller, rectangular hatch next to the turntable allows me to remove the bridge before I lower the turntable.)

Improved Archery Range -

Adding a few trees and painting a rather plain wall. One B4-Picture, and several after -

Expansion to the layout. B4-Picture and after -

Using Azatrax detectors to trigger a road crossing signal -

A slightly modified Menards car makes the roster!

And finally, LED strips to denote a couple of the step-up viewing platforms; especially useful when viewing the layout with the room lights off and just the layout buildings, etc. turned on -

Thank you for looking!

Alex (Alexander Müller)

Thank you for the summary of your recent improvements, Alex!  They all enhance the layout and viewing pleasure.  I am particularly impressed with the ingenuity of the turntable hatch!  Where there is a will, there is a way.

Thanks for the update Alex.  Great engineering idea on the TT hatch and the small hatch nearby to remove the bridge.  Was the small hatch there before?  In any case, very nice.

Mark, Matt - Thank You!

The turntable was an early modification to the layout, but after I had already built the frame structure, plywood, etc. Initially, that area was for the several times listed/announced Lionel Rotary Coal Tipple - last time in the 2011 Vol-II catalog; but which never materialized. So in September 2011, seven months after I had started the layout, I decided to cut a big hole to fit the magnificent 34" Millhouse River Studio Turntable. This turntable size would be suitable for my MTH Premier Big Boy, and unbeknownst to me at the time, my future Lionel VL Big Boy as well.

Matt, that small rectangular hatch was there first 

Cutting the 2x4 frame through the 5/8" plywood was not fun, but at least I had not yet installed all the QuietBrace over the plywood. I had to cut several cross braces and add others. (Pictures from Sep 2011.)

The turntable is held up in place with six 1/4-20 nylon thumb bolts (into the plywood) plus two steel 1/4-20 wing nuts on steel studs that protrude down through the plywood.

The most challenging part was how to hold the turntable up, in place, while I worked on it. A furniture dolly, a saw horse, and some spacers did the trick.

Thank!

Alex

Looks even better than the last time I saw your layout & that was great.

Ken M

Alex this is spectacular. Thanks for updating us and especially the info on your turntable install. I bookmarked it for later use.

well done

Thanks for the consolidation. Bert

Ingeniero No1 posted:

Mark, Matt - Thank You!

The turntable was an early modification to the layout, but after I had already built the frame structure, plywood, etc. Initially, that area was for the several times listed/announced Lionel Rotary Coal Tipple - last time in the 2011 Vol-II catalog; but which never materialized. So in September 2011, seven months after I had started the layout, I decided to cut a big hole to fit the magnificent 34" Millhouse River Studio Turntable. This turntable size would be suitable for my MTH Premier Big Boy, and unbeknownst to me at the time, my future Lionel VL Big Boy as well.

Matt, that small rectangular hatch was there first 

Cutting the 2x4 frame through the 5/8" plywood was not fun, but at least I had not yet installed all the QuietBrace over the plywood. I had to cut several cross braces and add others. (Pictures from Sep 2011.)

The turntable is held up in place with six 1/4-20 nylon thumb bolts (into the plywood) plus two steel 1/4-20 wing nuts on steel studs that protrude down through the plywood.

The most challenging part was how to hold the turntable up, in place, while I worked on it. A furniture dolly, a saw horse, and some spacers did the trick.

Thank!

Alex

Thanks for the detailed pictures.  The furniture dollies can be used in so many ways.  I used them to create all my under layout storage.  An idea that I borrowed from you (ref my post of 8/29/15 on this thread).  This site is great for sharing new ways to enjoy the hobby.

Thanks once again.

PS There will be a hatch in my next expansion.

awesome Alex! Bullseye!

Patrick,

Long time!  I've asked the Hi-Railers how your doing.  I see you and Alex were comparing notes when he was starting his great layout.

Alex's layout is one of the best you will ever see....!!

Alan

Thank you, Alan! (But your layout remains in a class of its own, though.)

Mark -

Yes, Patrick and I were separated by distance, about 660 miles, but we communicated quite a bit when we were building our layouts. Luckily for me, he started his about six months before I did mine, and although I worked quite fast, he was making progress at least twice as fast as I was, so I benefited by learning how he tackled the challenges inherent to a medium-large layout. The extreme details he had on his layout, however, were the best.

I am glad to share how I did what I did so others can improve on my methods, and end up with better results.

Thanks!

Alex 

Alex,

The updates are great! As usual, well thought out and executed. Nicely done!!

Andy

This drop down turntable is an engineering marvel!

Alex,

Patrick lives about an hour and 20 minute drive from me.  I was privileged to be invited twice to his open houses.  It was a wonderful layout!

WOW thats mind blowing! What a great layout! I really hope to be there some day, side note, how did you cut your risers for your climb?

Keith, Mark - thank you!

Mike, if you mean these (pictured below for one grade) - They are 3/4" plywood (mostly) or solid pine. I cut them in increasing 1/8" height increments and spaced them 6" apart, which resulted in about a 2% grade for both grades (up and down, or down and up). I have approaches at each end, and this made the grades closer to 1.9%. The trestle also is at 2%, by the way. 

And thank you as well!

Alex

Alex, thank you that is great information to know, You have a great layout going there, cant wait to see more of it!

Thanks Alex for directing me to this thread an pictures.

Kevin

Alex,

You are truly a craftsman and artist with imaginations above and beyond, I went thru every page looking at every picture and video craving more and more! You have really made me rethink what I want to do, even though mine will not even be close to the size you are running here.

I look forward to seeing your layout on the cover of OGR if not already published, with the hopes of you considering the submittal of how to's to the magazine.

Enjoy,

JoeG

Hi Joe,

Thank you for your nice comments!

Actually, I have been waiting until my layout was a little 'more finished' to contact Allan Miller and Rich Melvin about an article on the layout. In all honesty, the layout now is as complete as it needs to be for an article. I finally ballasted all of the visible track, there hardly is any space left for structures, all the accessories are operational, and the trains are running fine, so I am ready.

If case you missed them, I have had several articles in OGR magazine –

Run 256, on the Wooden Trestle (9 pages)

Run 263, about my neighbor teenage girl’s work on the layout (2 pages)

Run 267, on construction a building around a support post (6 pages)

Now I would welcome the opportunity for an article on the layout, so I'll contact Allan and Rich.

 Alex

Hi Alex,

well, I have spent most of this weekend reading and re-reading your journey into making the most incredible layout that I have ever seen (or expected to see��).  Before I forget, thank you for documenting this entire process.  I am totally impressed.  How I got started on this thread, and the reason for my post, is that I am stuck trying to make my control panel for a 16x20 layout.  I have tried to learn about relays and the specs I need them to be via the Internet but to no avail.  I came across your relay modules and was wondering if you could tell me how to build them including the exact type of relay you used, the specs and why?  I have about 10 track blocks on two main lines and a number of sidings along with 17 turnouts (so far).  The track wiring consists of 12 gauge main lines with 16 gauge drops.  I obviously don't want to take 12 gauge to the control panel, thus the desire to use relays with a much smaller wire to the toggle switches on my control panel.  I will be using DCS. 

Thank you.  If you would prefer not to reply on this thread, my email address is mike_mccormick444@verizon.net.  I really appreciate your help.

Mike,

I did not read you post until a short while ago. I don't mind at all emailing you with the information your requested, but maybe other people would want to know as well, so I will post it. But please, do not hesitate to email me if you like!

I started using 12vDC coil relays, which I bought 50 at $4 each from Mouser: Tyco T9AP5D52-12. (*) These have 20 amp rated SPDT contacts, which is more than enough. I built six of the eight 6-relay modules I needed, installed them, and they work great. Before I finished the other two modules, however, I found cheaper relays on E-bay. They also have an LED for each relay to indicate when they are picked up. The SPDT contacts on these relays are rated at 10 amps, but that should be fine, and have 5vDC coils. So I bought several of those modules for $10 each, and each module has (8) eight relays!

Whichever relays you select is up to you and what you feel comfortable with. I just looked on E-Bay, and found 6-relay modules for $6 and free shipping. See last picture below.

My terminal blocks before I installed the relays.

Homemade relay (Tyco) module wiring

Relay module completed (Tyco relays) 12vDC coils

After-the-fact discovered 8-relay module, 5vDC coils

New (purchased) relay module installed. Only six relays used in this case.

6-Relay module referenced above with link, also 5vDC coils. Wires are supplied.

I used 22 and 24 AWG wire from the toggle switches on the control panel to the modules (some 120 feet away) to actuate the relays. It is nice indeed to be able to turn off any spur, siding, or main district as we wish. 

Hope this helps, and let me know if you need anything else.

Alex

(*) PS. I have 14 of the Tyco relays left, which I am not going to use, and will sell them for $3 each if anyone want them.

Hi Alex, 

Thank you for responding.  I think I understand but to clarify a few things:

1) on the 6 relay 5vDC module found on eBay, the inputs from the control panel (for 6 track blocks) plus the 2 wires for the 5 volt power (pos & neg) attach to the 8 pins on the longer side of the module.  Correct?  I assume the pins will be marked as to what goes where. 

2) I would need a 5v DC power supply to drive the relays. Correct?

3) Can you recommend a 5v power supply?

So, my daughter-in-law maybe mad at me.  I showed my son your post here on Sunday and all he has done since is read it.  He also showed his colleagues at work.  He is a mechanical engineer and is fascinated by what you have done!  

Again, I thank you for sharing what you have done and for helping me with my questions.

Mike

Ingeniero No1 posted:

I have created several threads that illustrate some of the improvements I have made to my layout, and I think it would be a good idea to include some of those pictures in this thread. Here are some of what I consider more significant.

Thank you for looking!

Alex (Alexander Müller)

Great work!

Always enjoy what the members have done. Hoping to transition from "Pink" soon!

Patrick H posted:

awesome Alex! Bullseye!

Nice to hear from you Patrick, hoping all is going well, if you 2 want to come scenic some let us know!

PA Train Guy posted:

Hi Alex, 

Thank you for responding.  I think I understand but to clarify a few things:

1) on the 6 relay 5vDC module found on eBay, the inputs from the control panel (for 6 track blocks) plus the 2 wires for the 5 volt power (pos & neg) attach to the 8 pins on the longer side of the module.  Correct?  I assume the pins will be marked as to what goes where.  I have not used that specific module, but yes; that is the way it should be; i.e., 2 pins for the 5vDC power, and six pins for relay signal. By the way, in some cases the signal is +5v, in other cases it is -5v, and this is usually noted on the module.

2) I would need a 5v DC power supply to drive the relays. Correct?  Yes.

3) Can you recommend a 5v power supply?  I have tried (and made) many, but lately have been using the 'wall power adapters' that are sold at Amazon, E-Bay, etc. for $4 to $9. Most of these are rated at 2 amps, which is fine. If you have 12vDC already available, you could use a 'Buck Step Down' module that will take the 12vDC as input, and provide 5vDC as output. E-Bay sells these for around $2 - $3, which handle a range of input voltages and can be adjusted for various outputs. However, if you want to keep it simple, use the 5vDC supply.

So, my daughter-in-law maybe mad at me.  I showed my son your post here on Sunday and all he has done since is read it.  He also showed his colleagues at work.  He is a mechanical engineer and is fascinated by what you have done!  THANKS!

Again, I thank you for sharing what you have done and for helping me with my questions. Glad to do so!

Mike

Alex

BobbyD -

Thanks!

Alex

Great Thread  - love to read the updates