Suggestions for transformer table construction

Depends on which transformers you have-- Their size will dictate your options. I know that some of use use a roll around cart, others put a shelf under the layout, and others add the shelf to the outside of the layout. I would suggest in your situation using a roll around cart.

I am using four lionel cw-80 transformers with about five switches etc.  i have young kids and they each like to control one. 

Since this photo was taken, I've added a zw transformer and another brick. I plan to add sides and door fronts in the future, so it will simply look like a cabinet.

These power and control carts are accessible, quick and easy.  Two carts are made with one Plastic Shelving Unit (4-Shelf) and two sets of four 2" plate casters.

More photos and information are here  http://www.slsprr.net/features/controls.htm

Well, my idea isn't very glamorous but I would suggest an old school desk. That's what I used when I built my first layout and it worked very well. I mounted all the transformers (a ZW and a LW) and switches on top and it never tipped forward. They're available used is various sizes. I would suggest wire loom fastened to the front leg to keep wiring in order.

I use a roll-around cart (the casters make it easy to move if I need to get behind it's normal location).  I think it was designed for a TV; was cheap at the local Big Lots. 

The one I use wouldn't be large enough for multiple large transformers.  Mine holds a Z4000, Lionel Legacy base, DCS TIU and AIU, and a couple of smaller transformers, along with the manuals for DCS and Legacy which I generally need to refer to fairly often (old age, forgetful, etc.).

I use an ols computer printing table on rollers.  It has 5 PowerHouse bricks, 3 powerMaster, a TPC 400, and a Command Base!

The thought of using a cart never even crossed my mind until this thread. My stuff is all screwed in place and I have to climb behind it fairly often. Great idea. I think I may be able to move mine easily to a cart. Good project. Funny how youvan miss something that's so helpful. Again, the forum learns me well...thanks all. 

I used this cart from Ikea and put 4 small wood blocks on legs and then 4 good Ikea rubber wheel to move it to get to panel to work and maintain. Really works great and even looks like rail ties!My cords and leads are enough to roll it out and left or right a bit and mounted on the bottom a plug power sequencer/master power station.(got on line)The power station even has a goose neck lamp on the back for lighting panel or for working on cart. Cart cost around $30. wheels $10. My legacy and 4000 are both bolted to cart. Hope this sparks your interest but not your electronics.. best to you Richard

Just for everyones knowledge, there is enough room/clearance to mount second Z4000 underneath w/space to operate levers!

I picked up a "used" upper kitchen cabinet. Right now I have 4 180w bricks, my Legacy base, the ZW controller, and a CW80 in it. No problem with the Legacy signal, or heat buildup. I cut out holes through the back for the wiring which helps with ventilation.

Eventually I plan on adding a "skirt" to the table, then all the under supports will be hidden and all you will see will be the cabinet doors.

REV

hi rev,  nice cabinet any chance of taking a photo of the top and explain what u have.looks like switches and cannot make out the rest.  harleybaz

A friend of mine also used a printer cart, something like this. He added slides to the shelves on the inside so he could pull them out easier when changing wires around.

http://www.officemax.com/offic.../product-prod3790303

Steve

hi steve thank u for your post.great idea and price too.  harley baz

This is the same thing I used. It sits under my layout. All I need to access is the main power switch. I run conventional but am using TMCC for control. When I need to add wiring or fix an issue I can just roll it out from under the table.

Here's the description of the one I built.

Here's the first group of pictures.

And this is the second group.

I run conventional control from a MTH remote.

That meant with the transformershd to be mounted on top of a table.

I went to an unfinsihed furnature store and bought a table and added a bottom shelf and painted it green,

here is a picture

Initially, I had planned to put everything on a separate table with rollers, but felt it would be an inconvenience.  Everything's right on the table, and I couldn't be happier with it.

At times such as these I like to post my various "everyman slob-modeler" setups.  Here is my highly unsophisticated cheesy bleep-mart twenty buck power cart:

A little something for "the rest of us."

Pete

Pete, I used the same cart!

Yes, but yours is sophisticated, tidy, and wonderful. <G>

Pete

Here's  a shot of the top (control panel), and some earlier pics of the construction part. The cabinet just sits under the panel, and it can slide out if need be, but it all looks like one unit.

Along the top are 6 Voltmeters, one for each brick, and one for each output of the CW80.

Below the meters are 15 switch levers for my turnouts. Under the turnout levers are regular on/off switches, which control the lights, and "Miller Eng" signs in various areas of the layout. The middle set of switches under the levers control the track power to my yard tracks and main station track.

The switch on the far right, controls the lighting of my "Mel's Diner", and the red button under the switch starts the animation sequence. The large black thing in the middle of the right hand group of switches is the MTH control box for their "disappearing passenger" platform accessory.

I've still got quite a bit of room left, and a lot more to do yet. I found the toughest part was planning a layout for all the switches & Meters, so not only did it look decent, but was also in some order so I could remember what controlled what.

REV  

Hi  Dooser,

I am in the process of designing my first layout. 

It will be a combination of old style conventional and Legacy run.

The front side will be approximately 20 feet long.  When I am running the conventional

blocks I would like to be close to the action, so I have designed a control center that

will move back and forth along the front of the layout.

The picture of my future control center is a copy and paste of pictures I took from the

Internet.  It will be constructed as you see it with the two side panels tilted up a little

and the top panel will fold down backwards when I'm not running trains on the upper

level freight yard.

Bottom shelf with the four ZW's is a pullout shelf.

It will be able to move 8 feet either way for a total of 16 feet.  I plan to enclose the

wires coming out of the back in a flexible black enclosure like is used in cars to enclose

main wiring harnesses.

If what I'm doing seems to crazy, maybe you can get some ideas from what I'm going

to do.

corvettte

dooser11:

If you have the room under your table pull out drawers work very nicely. Just allow for two items:

1. weight - use heavy duty 75 pound or higher draw slides. Full extension slides are best for this application.

2. when running wire to the draw allow slack so that when the draw is pulled out it stays out and is not 'pulled' back in by taught wires.

Joe

Dooser 11:

Mianne Benchwork sells a 36x12x30 (wxdxh) cart for $125.   It includes casters.  Look into it at www.miannebenchwork.com.  Saw their display at York - nice stuff.

My personal set up is a 4" wide pine step tread anchordred to some 2x4s that itself is anchorded to the substructure of my layout table.  Have 4 large transformers on it (way too many for my layout) - but they look great!  :-)

Let us know what you decide to do - and post pics.

Just got done building my massive control center:

the underside will be painted white to ease the labeling of terminal strips and such

took about a day to build. 

Ryan

I suggest  to use roll-around  cart makes it easier to move.  You can also add shelf from inside or outside lay out.

I really only use my DCS remote, so this works well for me and it's out of the way.

Dooser11,

     I am very old school, all of my transformers except one KW & TIU are on a big heavy desk right in front of the Layout, where I can see them and use them.  The programming track is between the main layout and the power supplies & DCS.

Each line coming form all the different transformers has Scott 10 Amp breaker banks in front of them to safe guard the DCS TIU.  Switches are controlled by both hand held DCS remote control, and the old Lionel remote switch levers controls, part of which you can see mounted on the side panel of the desk.

All Lionel switch remotes have been retro-fit with LED's.

PCRR/Dave