What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

[G3750]

I am aware of a guy that is suffering from what might be termed "planning paralysis" from his layout planning. He is terrified that he might make a mistake and continuously plans w/o ever actually building anything - cardboard and drawings fill his basement.

I hear you. I am not going to be that guy, either.

I have a sense of urgency about the layout and a real deadline. I want to have trains running by May.

Not by Christmas?

2020?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I hear you. I am not going to be that guy, either.

I have a sense of urgency about the layout and a real deadline. I want to have trains running by May.

Not by Christmas?

2020?

Where's my naughty list.......

[G3750]

Updated 7/20/2019:

Today I installed the plywood flooring supports for the styrofoam track side embankments. The original intent was to use 1/4" masonite, but it seemed too flimsy. I ended up doubling the number of vertical supports & cross-beams for this, thinking that would be enough for the masonite. Ultimately, I decided that wouldn't work and used plywood. If worse comes to worse, I can stand on it. Let's hope that never becomes necessary.

Here's a 3/4s view from over head of the rear-most flooring.

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This is a view from straight on (front to rear).

Benchwork_408_.JPG (135.24 KiB) Viewed 7698 times

In this photo you can see the flooring edge-wise.

Benchwork_407_.JPG (132.33 KiB) Viewed 7698 times

Here's another edge-wise view of the end of the flooring. I took this by reaching the camera through the Stone Arch.

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Finally, here's a shot of the front flooring in place. Note that the cross-arms extend out from the rear wall to the depth of the layout (and fascia).

Benchwork_409_.JPG (123.28 KiB) Viewed 7698 times

George

[G3750]

Updated 7/21/2019:

Because it will be very difficult to do when the scenery is installed, I am planning to install the major western buses. This realization prompted me to re-think (once again ) the organization of the power districts. So here's the final(?) organization (I hope):

The buses for the Western Power Districts will run under the bridge.

Western Power Districts.jpg (140.87 KiB) Viewed 7675 times

Here are the Eastern Power District buses and their connections.

Eastern Power Districts.jpg (259.85 KiB) Viewed 7675 times

George

[rogruth]

I hate to ask but are the bridge north feeds numbered wrong?

[G3750]

I hate to ask but are the bridge north feeds numbered wrong?

Yes, they are. Good catch, Roger!

Thanks,

George

[G3750]

Updated 7/22/2019:

Not much to actually show you, but I did pull 80’ of red and 80’ of black 12 gauge wire off their spools and cable tied them together. That’s the bus for the River Route. I also calculated the lengths of the remaining 7 buses and finalized the location of the power distribution panel. It’s directly under the hatch.

The organization of components on the 2’ x 6’ board is still in flux.

George

[healey36]

The bus concept is certainly the way to go. At some point I'll rewire the layout here to incorporate a bus. Presumably this solves the voltage "drop-off" seen at the farthest point from the power supply.

[G3750]

The bus concept is certainly the way to go. At some point I'll rewire the layout here to incorporate a bus. Presumably this solves the voltage "drop-off" seen at the farthest point from the power supply.

It should. And with a power supply for each district (bus), I am not anticipating any shortage of power. The buses range from 32’ to 80’ in length and are pairs of 12 gauge stranded wire.

I contemplated a centrally located terminal strip for each district with longer feeders, but that added crimps, labor, costs, and opportunities for mistakes. Better to have the bus snake around to where it’s needed.

George

[robert.]

I used two copper pipes for my bus wire. they had been sitting in the rafters for years. All banged up,dinged and dented. They were never going to be used to repair plumbing. I ran them on the underside of my layout. Them solder wire to them as needed. Some thought it was a waste. i saw it as a good use for old copper.

[rogruth]

I used some 3 rail track under part of my layout as a bus to feed lighting for buildings.
Used lock-ons to connect wires without soldering.

[chuck]

Those are both clever uses of materials in an effective if unusual way. Bonus points for one using solder and the other not. Demonstrates thinking outside of the box.

[G3750]

Updated 8/11/2019:

While I haven’t posted much, I have been busy on a number of fronts.

The power distribution panel has been laid out. It’s 2’ x 8’ and will be installed near the access hatch. Electrical parts, wire, and connectors have been acquired. Work on this has been progressing. I sold two BPC’s that I didn’t need and acquired 1 TPC that I did.

George

[healey36]

Sounds like good progress. While I'm not currently working on the layout, I'm still contemplating incorporating the bus-concept into the hideous power-distribution configuration I have today. I think that'll be first up when I get back down there.

Was in Chattanooga for IPMS Nationals this past weekend. After staring at a few thousand museum-quality models, I came home and chucked everything I had. Damn, there are some seriously talented people among us.

Healey

[G3750]

Sounds like good progress. While I'm not currently working on the layout, I'm still contemplating incorporating the bus-concept into the hideous power-distribution configuration I have today. I think that'll be first up when I get back down there.

Was in Chattanooga for IPMS Nationals this past weekend. After staring at a few thousand museum-quality models, I came home and chucked everything I had. Damn, there are some seriously talented people among us.

Healey

Thanks. I think the bus simplifies things greatly.

IPMS Nationals? OMG, that must have been awesome. We get Fine Scale Modeler in the shop and I occasionally leaf through it when I need a dose of humility. I absolutely believe you when you mention some seriously talented people. Nothing I've ever made would merit last place mention in the junior novice rookie division (if there is such a thing).

George