Building a DCC Drawer: Model Railroad Showcase #1

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

First in the series of showcasing the electronics on (under?) my layout…first up: DCC Drawer

[@Howie2025]

I like this idea of everything tucked away in a drawer. Perhaps adding a cooling fan in the rear would be an additional idea to keep the booster operating at peak efficiency. Definitely going to get one of those ramp meters. Layout is coming along nicely Peter. 👍👍

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Thank you! Yes, easy to get to everything. No fan needed on this one as the back & top of the drawer is open - no back on it, and open frame above drawer, so plenty of airflow

[@lloydb6637]

I like the idea, want to do something similar for my layout. I have a Digitrax booster (and the TAM Valley one). I'm guessing I'd need 2 RRamp meters? Also, what about heat? Do you have a fan on it somewhere? I'm assuming an enclosed drawer would build up heat.

[@peter_borcherds]

Makes it all easily accessible. Yes, if you’re using both the boosters to power your layout, then ideally a RRampmeter after each one. I’m using the TAM Valley one to power my accessories, so didn’t need a meter there. As for the heat, yes, if the drawer is enclosed a fan would be ideal, but my drawer does not have a back and is open at the top (big gap between it and bottom of module) so plenty of ventilation.

[@YaknCamp]

Nice. New subscriber. Love your channel

[@peter_borcherds]

Thank you, David! Much appreciated!

[@josefbuckland]

Great video what’s the back look like for the cable strain relief feeding the stuff like the PSU hate for that power cable to wear down. I covered a wonderful solution for one of my draws way back in video number 77. Needless to say with the mimic panel finally in its place that entire draw is starting to take some shape slowly but surely. Well back to the signal gantry’s I’m installing. Stay safe. And keep the solid content.

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Unfortunately can’t add photos to my reply, but I’ve used cable ties & cable tie mounts to tie the cables down, leaving enough slack in all the cables so that when I close the drawer the cables just coil up and then uncoil when opening the drawer. Because of the cable ties there is no movement of the cables therefore no way for them to wear. Bearing in mind, I rarely need to open this drawer, so it should be fine for years to come.

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Oh, and glad you like my videos! More to come in the next few weeks. I’m going to head over to your channel now

[@josefbuckland]

@@ChicagoSubNScale that’s the thing I could not predict. The draw has been opened a handful of times but mine was opposite while I can’t get back easily I could not suspend them up from a cook with slack which is what I wanted to do but I do have confidence the arm will be a winner. I first saw the draw idea back back in the 90s when fellow enthusiast and indeed model shop on the Fraser Coast M & K Model railway who built his dream layout had this elegant way of controllers and things concealed in draws. It’s a great idea. And keeps its accessible. It’s a cracking layout mine was originally meant to be N scale but here are. I will admit a lot more track n trains with n HOWEVER as I’m Maturing the slightly larger scale is a little more forgiving on my wobbly hands. I’m personally not wowed on the TT but I guess it’s a compromise for some. Has Digitrax been good value investment in the long run ?

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

I’ve just replaced my 25 year old Digitrax DCS100 Command Station with the latest model, so yes, has definitely been a worthwhile investment

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Just looked at your video 77. Great idea about the arm. Works well. Unfortunately wouldn’t work in my setup as my drawer is on top of a cupboard, so no space for an arm. But I’ve left enough slack and tied the cables together, so no snagging.