We've been in our new house for about a year now - and have now reached the point where we're ready to build a basement layout. This will be our third layout - and the most ambitious we've yet attempted. The first was a ceiling/shelf layout in my daughter's nursery out in CO that we built just to ensure we had trains running. Just a single loop of Atlas track running conventional, with a controller in the closet:
The second was a garage layout (about 8'x10', plus a small yard) out in CA. This started off as a double loop of O-31 in realtrax, but we eventually scrapped the inner loop in favor of more buildings and scenery:
...and the new one will be about 8'x20', with an extension off the end acting as a yard. I tried to keep the requirements simple:
-Double-track main line with min O-72 curves (big loops, connected with double crossover)
-Modular wiring for easy adjustments to track or structures
-Modular tables, to facilitate any future rearrangement
-Lift bridge (no duck-under) for entry
-Parking/yard area for 4+ additional trains and yard power cutoff switches
-DCS, Legacy/TMCC, and Lionchief operation
Below is the status of construction so far. Over the holiday break we assembled each of the tables:
We used adjustment furniture feet so that we can level the tables as required. Here's my son installing one:
Here's a layout shot with all but one table built:
Supports for backdrop added:
Supervisor inspecting the work:
Added hinged access panels for the track and accessory wiring hubs. Not real pretty, but they'll never be seen so I built them out of scrap wood, spare hinges, and salvaged handle pulls. Track and accessory power will be distributed through here. I ran the track power in a star pattern, while accessory power is run as a bus. Three separate accessory lines were run (for 4.5V, 12V, and 14V) and they are hubbed at each table. Track power will be run on 3 channels (inner loop, outer loop, and yards) with multiple drop points for each. I used barrier strips for the hubs, color coded cable for sanity, and cable clips for neatness.
Once we got all the wiring done, we tested both the accessory and the track wiring hubs to ensure they work. We dusted off the TIU and built a quick rig to plug in and test at each hub. Got a good signal and an operating engine at all points & the accessory voltages checked out as well!
Note that we did all the wiring before adding the table tops... makes it much easier to access everything!
...Next step is to add the plywood tops and some pink foam. More to come!
-Dustin
