Another New Layout Build Thread :) ! -- Lift Section is Operational !!!

@dennish posted:

Greg,

No problem!  I'd like to see some close-ups of the joints/corners of the benchwork.  It looks good!  Drill holes and run bus wires before you put the top deck on.  It REALLY helps!!!!

Thank-you Dennis.  Here's a quick shot of the corners - just screws and wood glue:

I have sawhorses with built-in slots which hold 2" diameter lumber.  I made a jig to support the square frame to make it 38' from the ground and from there you can use shims to make sure it's level.  Once level, the legs are attached.  I cut 8' lengths of lumber in half and once attached the excess length on the top is just sawed off.   Essentially, I'm just following the steps Jim Barrett set forth in his book.  My son didn't realize I was using glue so there's no glue in the pic above and he did something a bit different with the section around the pole.  He built a smaller box to the left of the pole and then attached the final side once to complete.  That's why you see clamps attaching the 2 sections - that's how he kept it level.   I have to attach a couple of strong-ties to hold the sections together and then I will remove the clamps.   With 2 sections attached it's plenty strong enough without the glue. 

The flat support joists near the floor will be used as shelf supports for storage.  Essentially, all the boxes you see on the shelves along the basement wall in the first photo will be under the layout - they'll be empty by then so it won't be much weight.   I'm using 2" thick 4x8 foam boards for the layout top as it's easier to do scenery and it will not need to support the weight of a human. 

And yes, I will be either drilling holes in the benchwork or attaching cable clamps in order to string all the bus wires before putting on the layout top.  I plan for 5 bus lines - 1 common, 1 each for the 3 track loops, and one for accessories.  My switches will be hand thrown.    I will also blatantly steal your idea of feeder stations! Never thought of that and it's much easier to attach multiple accessories to to the feeder station and only have 1 tap to the common and hot bus wires.

I look forward to seeing trains running on all 5 loops of your layout - that will be some sight!

-Greg

@Greg Houser posted:

I plan for 5 bus lines - 1 common, 1 each for the 3 track loops, and one for accessories.

I recommend you rethink the single common, especially if you run DCS.  I'd run separate common for each track loop and the accessories.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I recommend you rethink the single common, especially if you run DCS.  I'd run separate common for each track loop and the accessories.

John - The single common was based off of the recommendation of Mike Reagan in an instructional video he did back when he worked for Lionel.  That being said, you've never steered me wrong so if you are recommending a common for each, I'd be a fool to not heed your advice! Consider it done.  Thanks for the help!

-Greg

@Greg Houser posted:

John - The single common was based off of the recommendation of Mike Reagan in an instructional video he did back when he worked for Lionel.  That being said, you've never steered me wrong so if you are recommending a common for each, I'd be a fool to not heed your advice! Consider it done.  Thanks for the help!

I doubt Mike Reagan was considering DCS when he recommended that!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I doubt Mike Reagan was considering DCS when he recommended that!

The ironic thing is that's what I had on my last layout (though it was only 2 loops and half the size) and I had no issues even with all the switches and accessories wired via an AIU.   Obviously, that was just pure dumb luck. 

-Greg

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I recommend you rethink the single common, especially if you run DCS.  I'd run separate common for each track loop and the accessories.

John,

I have always been of the "common ground" school.  Is this concept changing?  I run Legacy only, with 180 watt power bricks and a ZW-L.  I ran a common ground for the entire layout - all 5 tracks.  Was this a mistake?

Dennis

@Greg Houser posted:

The ironic thing is that's what I had on my last layout (though it was only 2 loops and half the size) and I had no issues even with all the switches and accessories wired via an AIU.   Obviously, that was just pure dumb luck. 

The AIU control isn't the issue, it's the track signal that's the issue.  The AIU is connected directly to the TIU and to the switches & accessories, no track signal issues there.

@dennish posted:

I have always been of the "common ground" school.  Is this concept changing?  I run Legacy only, with 180 watt power bricks and a ZW-L.  I ran a common ground for the entire layout - all 5 tracks.  Was this a mistake?

IMO, that is a mistake, but the proof will be in the running of any MTH DCS locomotives.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The AIU control isn't the issue, it's the track signal that's the issue.  The AIU is connected directly to the TIU and to the switches & accessories, no track signal issues there.

IMO, that is a mistake, but the proof will be in the running of any MTH DCS locomotives.

I generally run my MTH locomotives in conventional mode.  Occasionally, I will dial up track power with the remote on a command loop, but not too often.  Given that I can not access any features with Legacy, I do not worry too much about it.  If the common ground is only an issue with MTH engines, then I think I will be OK.

The lift section is operational !!!!!!!   Just a quick video for now.  I gotta go outside and get some work done !  More about it later!

I do have a spare linear actuator for sale on the forum if anyone is interested.  See the For Sale post.

Looks good!

-Greg

Congratulations, Dennis!!!  That is a really sharp looking installation, besides the fact that it works beautifully!  I see the alignment pins in the bridge and the holes for them to fit in. 

As an interesting aside, our younger daughter was over last week and took a video of mine in operation.  Thursday, I saw a friend of theirs at the grocery store.  He told me she had shown the video and he was impressed enough to tell me.  I told him I got the concept for mine from a friend in Washington, mike g.  Mike, how do you like Dennis' bridge?