Feather River Canyon in N-scale

[basementcalling]

That velcro is a fascinating idea.

I see what you did there.

Quite stuck on that idea eh? Even attached to it? 

I'd worry over time the force of the throw would move the Tortise on the velcro and cause it to shift out of alignment.

[jagged ben]

I see what you did there.

LOL.  I honestly didn't intend that or notice until you pointed it out.   

I'd worry over time the force of the throw would move the Tortise on the velcro and cause it to shift out of alignment.

I think he's saying it's temporary to help get the Tortoise in exactly the right position before screwing down permanently.    Aside from the cost of the velcro I think it's a great idea.  You can put the Tortoise in place, throw it both directions and leave it there while checking to make sure the turnout is throwing good, all without making and screw holes that make it hard to adjust later. 

[GaryHinshaw]

I think he's saying it's temporary to help get the Tortoise in exactly the right position before screwing down permanently.

That's how I read it:

I used velcro on the tortoise's first, once in position, I put in the screws.

Nice progress!  But what happened to the adjustable Tortoise mounts you were printing?

[rodsup9000]

I see what you did there.

Quite stuck on that idea eh? Even attached to it? 

I'd worry over time the force of the throw would move the Tortise on the velcro and cause it to shift out of alignment.

  Some of them have been there over 10 years without screws and never moved.

That's how I read it:

Nice progress!  But what happened to the adjustable Tortoise mounts you were printing?

  Thanks Gary
In the yard area, it is just too congested to use the mounts.


 The thing about the velcro is that you slide a piece of paper between the velcro and when you have the switch machine where
you want it, slide the paper out.

[rodsup9000]

 I've been working on the harnesses and getting the switches and LED's installed into the panels.

  For the Tortoise's, I use a 2 legged bi color, red/green in series with the motor. I use 12 volts on them. Then I wrapped the wires.



 







 Ready for to be installed into the control panel.


 
 


 On the servos, I use 3 legged bi color LED's, red/green wired to one side of a DPDT switch. I tied the center leg together of the LED's and added a 220 ohm resistor.
The other side controls the servo via TVD Octopus III drivers. I built a 6.2 volt power supply for the drivers and LED's.







 Here is west Oroville yard control panel. Still need to get servos mounted and track laid for the car shop.







 On the east end I found that I forgot some tracks, so I tried to add them and I messed it up. So I'm doing a new one.

[ristooch]

That Velcro is a fascinating idea.

Double stick carpet tape works well also as a temporary positioning tool.

Paul Ristuccia

[jagged ben]

Double stick carpet tape works well also as a temporary positioning tool.

Paul Ristuccia

Now that's an idea that will 'stick' with me.  (Ha.)  No doubt cheaper than velcro, too. 

[rodsup9000]

Double stick carpet tape works well also as a temporary positioning tool.

Paul Ristuccia

 Great idea as well

[rodsup9000]

 
  Got the new panel made and it's all wired and done.










 

[soo]

Nice work Rodney!!
I have done the same thing with Masonite,,,,that aluminum looks like it works so much better.

See ya,
Y-it

[rodsup9000]

Nice work Rodney!!
I have done the same thing with Masonite,,,,that aluminum looks like it works so much better.

  Thanks, Gary
 I used Masonite on all my other layouts too, but I had problems with the getting the nuts on the sub miniature push buttons (for solenoid switch machines) I was using back then. 

[rodsup9000]

 I've been very busy the last few weeks and don't really have much to show for it.
I got the rest of the track laid on the the Wye and some track in Keddie Yard just before the convention. It took some grace to for me to get in back there to get the last leg of the Wye laid.





 Track is in and working on getting some tunnel liners done. I still need to modify them as there are a shade too narrow.









 
  The yard track is just temporarily laid for the convention. I'm working on some turnout now so I can go back and finish it the way I want it.














  Between the tour bus and others that came out on their own, we had about 50 people come out and see the layout.

 I got a lot of very positive comments and a few are planning on coming back next June for a operating session.



 

[rodsup9000]

 Here is something I did also. I'm using Peco turnouts and had their switch motors on them. I decided to change them out and use servo's. One one end, it was easy cause I had room to take the turnouts out, take the spring and motors off, and then reinstall them. On the other end, I had to take the whole yard area down, where the turnout are.





 On the floor.





 And with the servo's installed.







   And I installed some lights while I had it down.

[Cajonpassfan]

Nice going Rodney. But tell us more about the tunnel liners please....
Otto K.

[rodsup9000]

Nice going Rodney. But tell us more about the tunnel liners please....
Otto K.

 Thanks Oto, I'll send you a PM

 I will have them for sale to public sometime in the next few months. I'll be making them for curves and also custom made ones.