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Thank you, slow and steady wins the race!

I have lights and powered switches!

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Of the 11 switches I think 9 actually came to life. I need to chase some wires tomorrow and check bulbs. I also had one solenoid that wouldn’t turn off and would continually buzz, so I unhooked the wires so it wouldn’t burn out.

Overall a successful night in the train room.

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Been a busy few nights getting all the trestle bents shimmed level and fastening them down to the foam board. 

Also, chased all the 1121 switch gremlins down and corrected those issues. All switches now operate on 14v, the lights work, and switch controller lights indicate correct direction...whew.

Finally, I’ve been running buss wires in anticipation of getting the track secured soon. But, first I need to place accessories and see where I need insulated track and operating track sections.

This brings me to my next quandary. I think I have a perfect spot for a 164 log loader. I don’t have one, but would like one if it will fit. Anybody have any experience with these? Anyone have one for sale?

This was my original design, with the ice loader in the back and sawmill in the middle.

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After looking at things for awhile, was thinking this would be a perfect place for a 164 log loader between the two tracks. Move the sawmill and ice loader to the back. 

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I would have to pick up another 6019 operating track section though.

The other log loader would stay along the same line around the corner.

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Well , it has DC motors, lights and modern control boxes. It runs quietly and the grandkids have no problems. I think it's the same. Fire yours up and decide if you like the operation.  I can also connect it to TMCC/Legacy, which is how I run my layout, except for this accessory. Left it manual for littles.

It keeps everything truly postwar.

Drop off logs, take a specified number of laps or a route and go pick-up logs is the game. Amazing how they forget things, like switching the switch for the siding.

 

Had my first real run last night on the o31 main line after wiring everything up. What a difference it makes having power taps every 10 track section. The power was smooth and constant, no slowing down or buzzing e units. A real pleasure to run.

Tonight will be wiring for the o31 sidings and screwing down the o31 track.

Question about power sources:

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Would like some guidance on which power sources to use for various accessories. The photo above is missing one additional small transformer, so two ZW and two small stand alone transformers. 

I have four separate track runs, so obviously the four ZW handles will be for those. Remaining power requirements will be for twelve 1121 switches, lighting for structures, animated accessory power, four isolated sidings, and a derelict siding with smoking caboose and animated boxcar.

I’m unsure which transformers I should use with each requirement. Was thinking the sidings, and animated accessories should go on the stand alone transformers. Everything else would go on the ZW. Thoughts?

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If both ZWs are 275 watts (input), they are capable of approximately 220 watts output. Below are some general guides regarding Lionel wattage requirements. From the 1954 instruction booklet, page 44. 

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The whole booklet is very helpful for conventional postwar operating.  Here’s the whole booklet: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...83860657/Booklet.pdf

 

 

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Asymair95 posted:

Would like some guidance on which power sources to use for various accessories. The photo above is missing one additional small transformer, so two ZW and two small stand alone transformers. 

I have four separate track runs, so obviously the four ZW handles will be for those. Remaining power requirements will be for

 

twelve 1121 switches, extra transformer so there are no accidental bumbs.

lighting for structures, zw2c (sm right)

animated accessory power zw2b (sm left)

four isolated sidings , zw1 gets two sidings on a toggle from B & two more sidings on a toggle from C. If you use an 3position switch, they are throttle bump "lockouts".

derelict siding with smoking caboose and animated boxcar. extra transfomer, no bumb.

I’m unsure which transformers I should use with each requirement. Was thinking the sidings, and animated accessories should go on the stand alone transformers. Everything else would go on the ZW. Thoughts?

That is how I would've reach for things as a kid

Its really up to you, and maybe the total lights etc. as noted. But that depends on lamp vs extra transfomer wattage.

Bumps are more common on the b&c and I like the idea of all USABLE throttles in one spot, plus they will need the amps.

When you say bumbs, do you mean voltage spikes? I’m unfamiliar with the term.

Spent last night running wiring to sidings through a three position toggle. One toggle for each pair of sidings, so two toggles.

Also dug out all the buildings and accessories. I still have eight street lamps, and eight yard lights to put out, but they kept falling over, so took them off for now. Also missing a 450 track signal that is in a box somewhere. 

Bought a 164 log loader today, and another 6019 track section. 

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This main table needs a road through there someplace. I don’t really have any plan as of now, and it looks kind of hap hazard. 

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The box is sitting where the 164 log loader will go. In the foreground will be a tunnel. In the back corner an airport.

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The double siding is still not done in here, nor the roadbed for the trolly line. Was thinking the 450 signal can go in here someplace, and half the yard lights in the sidings. In the back corner next to the switch tower (That doesn’t work) will be a hill/mountain that the track will cut through. 

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It was fun putting all the plasticville buildings together. I still have a few buildings left, but don’t think I really have anymore room for the. The brown maintenance building was something I made out of a cardboard box.

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Figured out the no power issue, was operator error...lol.

Got the trolley line roadbed done and track/bumpers screwed down and wired up. Runs like a dream.

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These are the two smaller accessory transformers I will be using.

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Last 1121 switch controller installed as well as the 3 way toggles for the sidings.

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Not sure what to work on tomorrow night. Maybe screw the o31 track down, and figure out a road plan for the town. Need to install the insulated rail sections for the o27 track. I have four sections, I figured one for tripping crossing gates, one for tripping watchtower, one for the switch tower if I can ever get it fixed, and one for a block signal.

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 🤔   You need to tilt your phone to switch to lanscape more often now.

Before you didn't have landscape the buildings are now giving you.😎 

There is tons fo wasted frame space within most of the vertical shots; given to the wall above or floor below the tracks.

Save the vertical shots for overheads & "birds eye" focus on a specific subject   Those fill the frame ok   .

Gotcha, will do landscape from now on.

Made some mountains/canyons last night. Will shape them a bit and cover in a layer of quilt batting and paint.

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Settled on a road plan through the village. Will probably just paint it on, not sure I want to deal with spackle and the mess.

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My last 1121 switch arrived in the mail. Will be going through that and adding constant voltage tomorrow so I can finish the dual sidings.

Tonight I will be running wiring for lighting, and accessories. 

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I like the road plan. A train traveling the cloverleaf through the town will be really entertaining to view. Painting the road will keep with the 40's/50's style. You could texture the foam for road cracks and potholes and such. Scuff it sandpaper and then some clever slits and gouges will make the paint pop.

I would be tempted to go more modern with the canyon. Glue the stacked foam and shape and hack it with tools and then paint it. 4 1/2" grinder with a cutting wheel, a rasp, the big kitchen knife, a pencil for detail cracks. Latex paint covers it wells and you can blend the varying shades while it is all wet. Take the pieces to the garage or shop. here's a result from forum member frizzinbee 7/31/18, 8/7/18 he found that heat gun does a nice finish after the shaping and hacking.

And Dave Frary here

That was a great thread, I subscribed to it! Will give the rock mountain a shot.

Got all the insulated track sections in last night. Also installed the derelict track section near the maintenance building for the smoking caboose and operating boxcar. It will be four sections of track long with a bumper on the end. Lastly, started running wiring for the cloverleaf track section, and the o27 mainline.

Had a pleasant surprise when I opened my newly acquired 1121 switches. They are already wired for constant voltage. There are a few other tweaks as well, a real professional job.

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You can see the constant voltage knurled terminal in the corner.

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Looks like the work was done in 1980.

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It could be it is for less heat;, more/less light;, if they ran at 18v constant which is normal for command;, or if they were just all that was available that day.

The life expectancy and lumens could be closer.   

Rule of thumb a 12v bulb burns half as bright for twice as long on 6v. Twice as bright for half as long on 24v. Actual heat build up at unexpected voltage varies on occasion though, and some originally used bulbs are too hot imo. I always bought small bulk to have had a decent variety to test with until even Radio Shack closed leaving no more local electronics shops around that I know of. I 'll be settling for the autoparts store choices more often than not.

Got my new switch installed last night and sidings finished up. Sidings are isolated and on a three position toggle.

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I know the one switch head is close to the track, but I can fit an F3 through there with 1/2” to spare. This track will never see any O gauge trains, just o27 compatible. Mainly my Alco and diesel switchers.

Tonight will be track wiring for this o27 mainline and the town cloverleaf area.

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Nothing exciting to report. I have been doing lots of wiring and getting all the power taps hooked to the buss. Also have all the 6019 track sections hooked up. I’m using accy power to power these, as well as adding a power tap to power the middle rail. More power taps the merrier.

Think I will start painting tonight. My least favorite part, but the most transformative.

I have an issue with an E Unit tripping into neutral when it crosses a switch. The offending switch is in the foreground of this pic.

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This happens when using one of my Alco engines, but only on this switch, none of the others, and not all the time, maybe 50/50 it will pass with no issues.

In other news, I won an auction for a 282 Gantry crane!...yay me. Now I have to find a spot for it...lol.

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