Post by: Alan on May 25, 2017, 06:15:27 PM
I'm not one that cares to control anything more than trains with my HC. For layout accessories I prefer conventional fascia control panels. Here are 15 of my 16 panels ready for installation. I am building panel 16 at the moment.
Post by: G8B4Life on May 25, 2017, 10:24:30 PM
The control panels look good and should complement the railroad quite nicely.
- Tim
Post by: darryl.trains on May 25, 2017, 11:46:40 PM
Post by: Antoine L. on May 26, 2017, 08:44:15 AM
Keep up the great work. I'm currently building my layout and finished my first module using almost all your techniques. Instead of Tortoises I use Bill's switch machines from PDC.ca. I am using all your techniques, including the small dowels to hold the wires, haha.
I won't have an accessory bus because it gets expensive and all, but at some point I could add one.
Thansk for sharing your knowledge to everyone.
Antoine
Post by: Alan on May 26, 2017, 01:33:47 PM
It's been awful quite on your blog as well Alan ;) I was starting to suspect that there was more "spring cleaning" going on up north than I thought.
The control panels look good and should complement the railroad quite nicely.
- Tim
Tim, I post to the blog when I reach a significant progress point or when the subject matter changes. I have been constructing control panels for a long time but am still not finished. A post will be forthcoming when I complete the last one as that will be a significant progress point. And yes, with the arrival of spring, all of the usual fair weather duties and recreational activities are in full swing. Really cuts into railroad fun time but not in a bad way.
Thanks for the compliment. What do you think of their look on a dusty chalkboard dark gray (near black) colored fascia?
Some people just have all the talent for sure. Very nice work to say the least. Cheers, the old fardt in Arid-zona
No talent required. It's all about persistence. I just keep at it until the picture in my head becomes a tangible object that I am not embarrassed of. Means I toss aside a lot of tried and failed attempts along the way but eventually come up with something that works and is repeatable. Then it becomes simply lather-rinse-repeat.
The LK&O is really a source of inspiration for me Alan.
Keep up the great work. I'm currently building my layout and finished my first module using almost all your techniques. Instead of Tortoises I use Bill's switch machines from PDC.ca. I am using all your techniques, including the small dowels to hold the wires, haha.
I won't have an accessory bus because it gets expensive and all, but at some point I could add one.
Thansk for sharing your knowledge to everyone.
Antoine
Makes me feel good you are able to use some of my ideas. The dowel bus holders have worked out swell for me. Bulletproof connections, infinitely expandable, virtually no voltage drop, and constructed for just pennies. How can you beat that!
Post by: William Brillinger on May 26, 2017, 04:09:48 PM
Post by: nodcc4me on May 26, 2017, 06:03:33 PM
Post by: KPack on May 26, 2017, 07:12:47 PM
Everything I've seen on this forum from Railpro users is in direct contrast to his criticism. How many model railroads do you see with the kind of attention to detail that you espouse Alan? The work you do Alan is some really nice stuff. Excellent thought, planning, and workmanship. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
-Kevin
Post by: G8B4Life on May 26, 2017, 10:48:07 PM
Thanks for the compliment. What do you think of their look on a dusty chalkboard dark gray (near black) colored fascia?
Alan, I think the panels will probably look good on any colour fascia simply because the panels, to my eye at least will keep your attention away from the fascia. It's the use of colours (blue, white, purple, orange etc) contained within that stained wood on the panels that does this.
As to fascia colour itself, I'll send a PM; I don't plan on opening any can's of worms here.
You know, I had a guy on one of the popular model railroad forums attack Railpro (and myself because I used it) over and over again. He said something along the lines of 'Railpro is just a toy, you're not a serious model railroader' blah, blah, blah.
This person is probably just jealous, or too stupid to see the forest for the trees. I won't say any more; I think we all here know what happens on forums as soon as a person mentions or asks about RailPro; 3 good answers and 50 useless answers not answering anything more than the writers own excuses for not using it.
- Tim
Post by: Alan on May 28, 2017, 08:39:01 AM
You know, I had a guy on one of the popular model railroad forums attack Railpro (and myself because I used it) over and over again. He said something along the lines of 'Railpro is just a toy, you're not a serious model railroader' blah, blah, blah.
Everything I've seen on this forum from Railpro users is in direct contrast to his criticism. How many model railroads do you see with the kind of attention to detail that you espouse Alan? The work you do Alan is some really nice stuff. Excellent thought, planning, and workmanship. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
-Kevin
That is the very reason I, for the most part, quit participating in model railroad forums except this one and occasionally MRR (seems most hobby newcomers are appreciative of assistance). Sadly, this hobby deserves much of the public reputation it has. The percentage of outspoken gruff old men is high. While they may be knowledgeable, skilled, and/or experienced, their crude delivery and rigid close-mindedness really sours, for me anyway, what otherwise would be interesting and thought provoking dialog.
Post by: William Brillinger on May 28, 2017, 08:56:40 AM
Quote
That is the very reason I, for the most part, quit participating in model railroad forums except this one and occasionally MRR (seems most hobby newcomers are appreciative of assistance). Sadly, this hobby deserves much of the public reputation it has. The percentage of outspoken gruff old men is high. While they may be knowledgeable, skilled, and/or experienced, their crude delivery and rigid close-mindedness really sours, for me anyway, what otherwise would be interesting and thought provoking dialog.
Sadly true. Let's not become those gruff old men!
Post by: TwinStar on May 28, 2017, 09:20:13 AM
That is very, very nice work. I need to keep up with your blog more.
Jacob
Post by: G8B4Life on May 28, 2017, 09:45:33 AM
Sadly true. Let's not become those gruff old men!
Hear Hear!
As this is the only forum I'm on (which sadly, accounts for 99% of my model rail "human contact"), besides a couple of Yahoo groups that have all but died I certainly don't want to loose RPUG to the same fate as a person nearly anywhere else who bucks the norm would. Sheesh, just because I use RailPro and Sergent couplers you'd think I was some outcast that's looked upon as someone who might try to unravel society.
- Tim
Post by: TwinStar on May 28, 2017, 09:57:30 AM
That said, we have a small group in Ft Worth that is going to modify the Free-mo standard to a more RailPro friendly format while still retaining Free-mo compatibility. There isn't a lot of interest in buying thousands of dollars of DCC hardware just to put power on the rails.
Jacob
Post by: Alan on June 15, 2017, 09:46:58 PM
http://www.lkorailroad.com/control-panels-part-xi/ (http://www.lkorailroad.com/control-panels-part-xi/)
(http://www.lkorailroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DSC_1502.jpg)
Post by: G8B4Life on June 16, 2017, 08:43:53 PM
What comes after control panels, besides installing them?
- Tim
Post by: Alan on June 16, 2017, 08:51:22 PM
Quote
What comes after control panels, besides installing them?
- locate panels, drill attach holes
- trim fascia for connector clearance
- tape, mud, paint fascia
- install panels
- connector plugs on module harnesses
- find and fix all my mistakes :'(
Post by: Alan on February 22, 2020, 01:30:51 PM
What comes after control panels, besides installing them?
- Tim
Since you asked 2-1/2 years ago ;D, this is what comes next. Lots more pics on the LK&O site: http://www.lkorailroad.com/fascia-finished/ (http://www.lkorailroad.com/fascia-finished/)
Post by: G8B4Life on February 22, 2020, 07:57:56 PM
Congratulations on the upcoming retirement. More LK&O time! Looking forward it.
- Tim
Post by: Alan on July 26, 2020, 09:33:37 AM
It's alive! It's alive!
First two control panels are wired and working.
(http://www.lkorailroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_2953.jpg)
(http://www.lkorailroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_2981.jpg)
Gory details: http://www.lkorailroad.com/panel-wiring-part-i/ (http://www.lkorailroad.com/panel-wiring-part-i/)
Post by: nodcc4me on July 26, 2020, 09:40:18 AM
Post by: ON28 on July 26, 2020, 10:40:19 AM
Post by: G8B4Life on July 26, 2020, 11:20:10 AM
I must say I'm surprised you don't like crimping Alan, I'd use it everywhere I could just to get away from soldering wires. It must be a case of the proper tool for the job, and in the case of the JST series connectors that proper tool looks like it's an automatic strip-feed-crimp-cut to length machine I saw in action (online) once when I briefly considered whether making motherboards like what TCS and the Decoder Buddy guy did but for RP's 9 pin setup was something viable. BTW, the JST headers are available in way cooler colours than white too but you'd probably have a hard time finding them outside of the JST online shop.
Actually there is another type of JST crimping tool out there. Not sure if it does the XH size or not but it looks like a set of long nose pliers; much smaller than the ratcheting set.
- Tim
Post by: Alan on July 26, 2020, 01:03:17 PM
I must say I'm surprised you don't like crimping Alan, I'd use it everywhere I could just to get away from soldering wires.
- Tim
Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I learned to solder before I was 10 years old. 50+ years on it is second nature. Everything else on the layout is soldered, why not the panel connectors too!
Post by: emd_16645 on July 29, 2020, 08:15:56 AM
Post by: Alan on July 29, 2020, 06:46:58 PM
BTW, the JST headers are available in way cooler colours than white too but you'd probably have a hard time finding them outside of the JST online shop.
- Tim
Darn you Tim. Couldn't stop thinking about your comment on connector colors. Sure enough, JST offers 9 colors. Would have been perfect to color code the panel connectors as I would have needed 8 colors at most. I guess it falls into the "if I had it to do over" category.
Alan, I think you need to brush up on your Red Green episodes. Your mobile work station didn't have a scrap of duct tape on it. ;D
Oops. No Possum Lodge invitation for me. :-[
Post by: trainman605 on October 21, 2020, 10:42:09 AM
trainman
Post by: Alan on October 21, 2020, 11:28:53 AM
I'm and older guy and grew up with control panels, but with todays control system DCC, RailPro, etc. why would you want to go back in time 20 years. I guess it you always ran your trains that way, which at one time was the only way to operate a large layout and it's still your choice of operating system today, them go for it. These control panels that are shown in the above post are really nice and done very well, I wouldn't want to take anything away from them, so If that your way of running trains them that's the system you should use. I model in HOn3 and the D&RGW narrow gauge operated there trains the old fashion way, my layout works the same way. My new layout in G scale is running RailPro, no wiring, no track to clean, I guess RailPro is taking all the fun out of running trains, NOT.
trainman
Because I greatly enjoy making things versus buying and plugging things in. If I had sufficient skills I would have built my own control system rather than buying RailPro. Also, not a fan of pecking on a little screen. Imagine how many screen taps it would take to work a yard. You would spend more time interacting with the screen than switching cars. That's not for me. The HC is my loco control stand, nothing more.
Post by: William Brillinger on October 21, 2020, 11:46:16 AM
Quote
Imagine how many screen taps it would take to work a yard.
IMO that is not the engineers job either. I prefer hand thrown switches, but if motors are your choice, fascia mounted controls make the best sense to me. Great looking Panels Alan!
Post by: G8B4Life on October 21, 2020, 11:44:22 PM
Control panels like Alans I wouldn't say are "back in time 20 years", Alans panels control only the points (switches), a 20 year old panel would likely control more than just that (track on/off, polarity, cabs etc). Also interlocking as panels still exist to this day so we could just think of Alans panels as interlocking machines... without signals, or actual interlocking.
QuoteImagine how many screen taps it would take to work a yard.
IMO that is not the engineers job either.
Not a yard but it's certainly prototypical. We had (still have?) several installations along a couple of lines where the points (and signals) of the passing loops were activated by radio (DTMF I think) signals. Punch the code for the main or passing loop into the transmitter to change the points / clear the signal, all while on the run.
- Tim
Post by: Alan on November 06, 2020, 04:54:37 PM
The fascia panel wiring is complete. All panels are operational. Amazing how much progress can be made when you don't have to go to work six days a week! I put up a long winded post on the blog that explains the methodology behind my panel wiring. It is way too much to post here so if you are interested check it out http://www.lkorailroad.com/panel-wiring-part-iii/ (http://www.lkorailroad.com/panel-wiring-part-iii/). My next blog post will come in a few days with documentation for each of the panels. Thought I had better explain what is going on with today's post before I blast up a gazillion pictures of wiring. The next blog post will feature so much wire it may give the dead rail folks seizures. :P Here's a preview...
Post by: G8B4Life on November 07, 2020, 12:41:55 AM
I am almost speechless with your dedication to what many, many folk would find tedious and mind numbing! I'll have to reply to quoted sections to address it.
Quote
... Over 2,000 soldered connections and I am alive to tell of it. Glad my soldering iron doesn't have an hour meter on it!
See opening paragraph. At the thought of doing that many connections I would have found a job shop to pre-make the bare-end harnesses for me, like I did for some RF connector pigtails we needed at work a few back. It was cheaper than having me make them.
Quote
Amazing how much progress can be made when you don't have to go to work six days a week!
Amazing how little can be accomplished when you don't (read can't) go to work too. I wish I could have accomplished something as grand as what you have done in the same timeframe.
Quote
The next blog post will feature so much wire it may give the dead rail folks seizures.
Don't worry about the dead rail folk, I'd be more worried the copper thieves in my country might see the post and come after your layout >:(
- Tim
Post by: Alan on November 07, 2020, 06:20:06 AM