Below is a discussion topic from the OGR Forum. Shows videos fromt the Independent HiRailers Midwest Division's modular layout setup at the IHobby Show. If you like big steam you will enjoy. Also there is discussion about how they got MTH's DCS system to successfully work on their layout. Maybe we can learn something from them.Ricky
Posted October 24, 2010 06:52 AM Video shot at the iHobby Expo Hobby Show in Rosemont IL on the Independent Hirailers Midwest Division layout.
DCS worked outstanding for the first time on our layout courtesy of technical assistance by Dave Hikel of Hikel O Gauge Layouts & Trains.
SP Cab Forward
GN R-2 with Super Chief
CN SD70M
Black GS4 with Daylight
Black GS4 and Daylight and DM&IR Ore Train
Super Chief
Daylight and GN S-2
Regards,
GNNPNUT
Registered:: November 10, 2003 IP
Posted October 24, 2010 08:47 AM Hide Post Is this a modular layout ?
Great job on the scenery.....
Location: Plymouth MI | Registered:: January 24, 2010
Ignored post by Stoshu posted October 24, 2010 08:47 AM Show Post
Posted October 24, 2010 08:59 AM Hide Post Hey Now :-)
You cant just say DCS worked great without a big technical explanation!
What did you do to get it to work?
Also how has your TMCC/Legacy been working? (I know you had challenges with that as well)
Nice Videos!
Location: Havertown, PA | Registered:: February 19, 2002
Ignored post by BillP posted October 24, 2010 08:59 AM Show Post
Posted October 24, 2010 09:05 AM Hide Post Great videos; thanks for posting. I won't make it to iHobby today, but I hope to see you guys at TRAINFEST .
John
Location: Lake Zurich,IL | Registered:: December 10, 2001
Ignored post by jay jay posted October 24, 2010 09:05 AM Show Post
Posted October 24, 2010 11:54 AM Hide Post Where is the NWTL Railroad?
Jim's Express
Jim Bengert-(RR)
Location: Evansville,In. | Registered:: July 11, 2000
Ignored post by R.R. posted October 24, 2010 11:54 AM Show Post
Posted October 25, 2010 07:41 AM Hide Post quote:What did you do to get it to work?
Simple, GNNPNUT called in the REAL DCS expert,,,,,,,,Dave Hikel!
Location: Western Springs, IL | Registered:: August 06, 2004
Ignored post by Hot Water posted October 25, 2010 07:41 AM Show Post
Posted October 25, 2010 10:30 AM Hide Post quote:Originally posted by Hot Water:
quote:What did you do to get it to work?
Simple, GNNPNUT called in the REAL DCS expert,,,,,,,,Dave Hikel!
Hot Water is darn right in his comment above, Dave has by far the best core knowledge that I'm aware of when it comes to working with large layouts, and now modular layouts, having worked with the National Capital Trackers, and now us.
Bill, in general, what was done was as follows:
The layout is a 72x42 "L" shaped layout. The three track main line was divided into four "blocks". All of the pins were inserted on the two outside "common" rails. The pins were left out of all the center rails between modules, and we fed power through the bus wiring only. On most modules, one feed for each four foot section.
The four "blocks" needed four TIUs, with three of the four channels used for each main line.
We used separate TIUs for the Engine Terminal, and the Staging yard.
We used a seaprate TIU for a Programming Track, that was set to TIU #1.
In our setup one of the TIUs that was close to our passenger terminal also had one channel that fed the yard in "passive" mode. This TIU was set to #2.
All of the other three TIUs that controlled the main lines were set to TIU #3.
Dave modified all of the TIUs to have the antenna for the remotes sticking up through the case. This significantly improved the range of the remotes. We may consider running a larger separate antenna.
Total TIUs used is seven.
"Deats" filters were applied at the end molex'es at the end of each "block"
I'll post a track plan / diagram later today showing how we busted up the blocks.
Regards,
Jerry
Registered:: November 10, 2003
Ignored post by gnnpnut posted October 25, 2010 10:30 AM Show Post
Posted October 25, 2010 10:54 AM Hide Post Thanks for posting this Jerry. I know most modular clubs will benefit from this info. The real test will come with the next show assuming the track plan is different.
Pete
Location: Rochester, NY | Registered:: October 08, 2003
Ignored post by Norton posted October 25, 2010 10:54 AM Show Post
Posted October 25, 2010 11:06 AM Hide Post Excellent!
I have York Fever all year round!
Location: Seaboard Country | Registered:: August 03, 2000
Ignored post by Putnam Division posted October 25, 2010 11:06 AM Show Post
Posted October 25, 2010 11:37 AM Hide Post Jerry,
I follow.
How did you distribute power to the TIUs?
Any worries about a cold or broken solder joint to a center rail? With all then centers isolated....
How long was a typical block in feet?
Super mode???
Location: Havertown, PA | Registered:: February 19, 2002
Ignored post by BillP posted October 25, 2010 11:37 AM Show Post
Posted October 25, 2010 12:12 PM Hide Post quote:Originally posted by Norton:
Thanks for posting this Jerry. I know most modular clubs will benefit from this info. The real test will come with the next show assuming the track plan is different.
Pete
Hi Pete:
One of the things that we are now going to do "different" is we are going to stick with a "standard" configuration for the layout. Our next show is "Trainfest" in Milwaukee, which has historically been our worst show to do, but also had us setting up or largest layouts.
If the layout deploys successfully there, we will be freezing the configuration for at least the next year. That will not mean that we won't be upgrading / replacing individual modules, but they will fit into the same layout dimensions until we have the confidence that we can grow a design without resulting problems.
Bill wrote:
quote:Jerry,
I follow.
How did you distribute power to the TIUs?
Any worries about a cold or broken solder joint to a center rail? With all then centers isolated....
How long was a typical block in feet?
Super mode???
Yes, we had the TIUs in Super mode.
For the main lines, distribution went from the three Z4000s (one for each main) to a "distribution box" that was made by Sasquatch, which splits power for all theee main lines into three cables that could be inserted into the layout at three points. In the DCS setup, what we did was wye one of the cables to two of the TIUs.
I didn't mention this before, but all of the TIUs were as close as possible to the insertion point into the railroad. Dave's goal was to give the signal the shortest path into the track, and to the locomotive as possible. The long cables out to the TIUs were only carrying AC power.
One area that we haven't had a lot of problem with over the years has been cold solder joints. Since we are running Gargraves track / Ross switches on the railroad, we jam a spade lug into the track, and then solder it (with Wellman's huge soldering unit that could probably double as a welder
When we set up our layouts, if we have a problem with continuity when we set up, it is either quickly fixes (a wire resoldered to the outside if a joint actually does fail), or if it is a rush job, then we will split the module and insert a pin.
Regards,
Jerry