I had to disassemble my old layout due to some recent remodeling we did on our home. I decided to make the new layout quite small (4’ x 7’) to accommodate other activities in the room. The new layout was constructed with the primary purpose of entertaining our grandchildren. Here are the changes I made:
1. I eliminated all of the turnouts because little hands loved to activate the turnout controls at inappropriate times.
2. I removed almost all of the accessories from the layout because most sat idle anyway.
3. I relocated all wiring related to wiring accessories and lighting to the top of the table so that my grandchildren can remove or add accessories by themselves and learn by doing.
4. I added audio plugs to the accessories so that my grandchildren can plug in any accessory they would like to use.
5. I decentralized the control panel so that a dominant grandchild could not monopolize the layout. So the accessory controls are in three separate stations and the train controls (transformer) is at a fourth station.
6. The layout is primarily conventional control, although Legacy can be activated with the flick of a switch.
Here are some pictures of the new layout:
This is the plug-in interface for accessories and lighting on top of the layout. All electrical connections are made using audio plugs. The accessory connections go to either toggle switches or momentary switches located on the sides of the layout. The panel is hidden with a building after the electrical connections are made. The wiring for the lighting is green and routed under the road, buildings and shrubs so that it is nearly invisible on the layout.
I even made a station for this little guy:
So what did I discover? I discovered that I can have just as much fun with a very simple, small layout.
Regards…
Earl Staley
