Re: 100% mannual

["Ira Schneider" <ira_schneider@iname.com>]

There have been several notes about power distribution and control in the switching yard.  Just to complicate
matters, I have the following proposal, which I am willing to implement (or help implement):

1. Build a separate control panel or console to consolidate all manual controls for the yard.  This includes
    the switches at each end of the yard (since the existing switches are confusing and prone to be hit
    accidentally).  I would like to have the control panel consist of a graphic representation of the yard
    with toggle switches and lights to control all functions, similar to the control console I built for my home
    layout.  For anyone who missed the layout tour at my home, you can see a picture of my control console
    at http://community.webshots.com/photo/7687952/17680550KHsBGMAZwd . The current version of my
    control console uses miniature toggle switches and LEDs (green for powered tracks, red/green for
    switches).  However, if the control console was larger (which is why I suggested a control panel), we could
    use larger toggle switches and regular light bulbs.  This might be easier to see and operate.

2. The control console could be located either at one end of the yard or in the center.  It would be connected
     to the two transition modules (which contain the switches and uncoupling section) via a plug-in cable,
     the construction of which (connectors and cable makeup to be determined).  It could even be
     moveable so we could set it up wherever it is convenient.

3.  In my opinion, the yard sidings should be used mainly to assemble trains to be switched onto the mainlines
     and to disassemble trains switched off the mainlines.  Since it is probably feasible to only operate one
     siding at a time (i.e. only one siding is actively moving trains on or off its mainline), I propose using the
     control console to activate the power on the sidings.  We could use a single transformer and powermaster
     to provide power to all sidings and either a rotary switch or a series of toggle switches to distribute the
     power to the sidings.  I think a rotary switch has the following potential problems:

     a. Either a dummy position has to be assigned to the rotary switch to remove power from all sidings
         or one of the four sidings always has power applied to it.  This means that whenever the powermaster
         is turned on, one of the tracks powers up.  If the operator forgets to change the setting of the rotary
         switch before activating the powermaster, the wrong track can get powered up, starting a train running
         which can cause a collision.

     b. If the powermaster is activated first, tracks between the one the rotary switch is currently set to and
         the desired track are momentarily activated when the switch is turned.  Again, this can cause
         unexpected problems, especially if someone is placing a train on one of the intervening tracks.

     If we use toggle switches, we could use double-throw center off switches.  This would allow us to assign
     the "up" position to "power the siding from the associated mainline power supply", the center position
     as "no power to the siding", and the "down" position to "power the siding from the yard powermaster."
     This gives us the flexibility to test a train using the yard powermaster before moving it onto the mainline
     and using a single powermaster to control a train moving on or off the siding (i.e. the powermaster
     for the mainline track).  Of course, if someone wants to use the yard power for the siding while a train
     is moving on or off the mainline he can do that.  This arrangement gives us the flexibility to work either
     way.

We (or is it I?) could build the control console either in a plastic/aluminum enclosure or on a sheet of plywood
(or some other suitable material).  I got the enclosure I used at Radio Shack.  I noticed today that Fry's
Electronics also has some similar enclosures.

I think e-mail is a great way for us to exchange ideas.  However, once many ideas and proposals are
put on the table via e-mail, we should have a complete discussion at our annual meeting next week and
decide on an action plan (did I really say that?).


Ira