TRAIN POWER AND CONTROLS FOR RUNNING ENGINES
In order to run a train engine you need both a power source and a way of controlling the engine. Since I will eventually have up to 90 engines to run and control at one time, I needed an inexpensive and easy way of replicating this aspect of the layout. Most of the parts I have are surplus or excess items acquired over time or recently purchased in “mass quantities” from surplus companies that operate over the internet. Additionally, I needed a way of minimizing the amount of space the electronics and especially controls took up. Since I typically show the trains without any assistance, the system had to simple and easy to operate. Please refer to the pictures to see what I am describing.
TRAIN POWER SOURCE
The power source for each engine (actually mainline or independent section) is a 12 volt DC regulated power supply that has overload and short circuit protection built in.
MAIN CONTROLS
Controls for a mainline consist of the following (from top to bottom):
DPDT – center off toggle
This is a double pole double throw toggle switch that has a center off position. It allows for turning on or off the train and the direction of travel.
50 Ohm Wire Wound Rheostat
This is a dial type device that controls the amount of power (voltage) that travels to the track and thus the engine. It is used to control the speed of the train.
DPDT – toggle
This is a double pole double throw toggle switch. It allows for the turning on or off any automated circuitry associated with that main line (e.g. stopping and starting in front of a passenger station).
AUTOMATED CIRCUITRY CONTROLS
(Not Shown)
Power supplies
Automated circuitry require both a power supply to operate a train and another to control any relays and integrated circuits. The train power supply is described above. The power to operate relays and integrated circuits comes from similar power supplies, but are dedicated to providing current to the circuitry.
Controls
Controls for automated circuits are simply an on/off switch or an SPDT toggle (single pole double throw). All the control features are built into the circuitry, except for one feature – the train speed. The speed of the train if it is a mainline is controlled by the 50 Ohm Wire Wound Rheostat mentioned above. However, if the type track is of the “independent” variety. (e.g. back and forth siding operation), the speed will not be variable, and there does not need to be any direction control. Therefore, in order to regulate the current to the track and set the speed at a constant level, I use resistors between the power supply and the track. With some experimentation, the level of current (thus speed) is established and remains constant.
ELECTRICAL TROUGH
If you looked at the pictures you saw a long skinny panel that opens on hinges. That is the control trough. There are seven for the entire layout.
Panel Top Layout
The layout of the panel is as follows (going from right to left):
· On/Off master switches for trains, lights, logic (automation), motors (animation)
· Switch track controls (if any [not shown])
· On/Off animation controls for each individual animation function (not shown)
· On/Off automation controls for each individual automation function (not shown)
· Mainline control – one section for each mainline (described above)
NOTE: Motor (animation) means having an object on the train table such as a backhoe have some degree of movement (e.g. moving bucket up and down)
Trough Inside Layout
The layout of the inside is as follows (going from right to left):
· Terminal strips for AC power input and distribution to the rest of the trough
· Lighting power supply (Not Shown)
· Motor Animation power supply (Not Shown)
· Logic (integrated circuit and relay) power supply (Not Shown)
· Independent Automation track power supplies (Not Shown)
· AC terminal strips for AC to 12 volt DC mainline train power
· 12 volt DC power supplies for the mainlines
· Terminal strips for track power output
ABOUT DCC (DIGITAL COMMAND AND CONTROL)
If you know anything about model railroading you no doubt have heard of DCC (digital command and control). This is a technique that incorporates an integrated circuit board in the engine and has a special power supply and control for the trains. It is more oriented to those that enjoy the actual train operation. It is a fine and sophisticated system. It is also very expensive and can be sensitive to dirty track (dust is the enemy of all model railroaders). For a person such as myself, that just wants to turn them on and let them do their thing, it is overkill and not appropriate.
ABOUT COMPUTER CONTROL
Some of you have already asked if I am going to use a computer to run my trains. At this point the answer is no. Like DCC it is overkill at least at the point where I am currently. I may take a more serious look at some point in the future, but not now.