Layout Update 1 21 24

Lots of random tasks! TCS sound and Scale Sound speakers in a Rapido U25, custom painted and decaled hoppers, NA tower rebuilt, Digitrax Loconet progress, fascia, lights, and more!
Dick Bradley's AMAZING Pennsylvania & Maryland: • Layout Tour Update: Di...
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[@patricknoveski6409]

That G E sounds amazing. Classic u boat, and horn. How fun to be at this stage. So cool, Ray.

[@Camping814]

Definitely agree about Digitrax documentation, I'm glad I'm not the only one. Those push-button holders look pretty awesome.

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

Thank you! Definitely not just us, even our club digitrax guru's agree the documentation is below sub par.

[@johnbanicki7232]

Thanks for the update. Making good progress. Thanks for sharing.

[@admiralseabass8993]

Good update

[@leehanna4929]

I always look forward to seeing your updates, Ray. Scale Sound Speakers can’t be beat!

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

I still like the giant tang band speakers better, but they don't fit in much! But yes, these are incredible for their size.

[@speedymouse2859]

Digitrax documentation, written by engineers 100%

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

There's definitely a lot about it that assumes you already know how most of it works, and zero of it is plain English. As someone pointed out to me recently, not all the jacks on the UP7 facia plug in points are the same..... who would even make something like that? But yes. Written by engineers that even other engineers don't like. They would do well to hire an intern or something that knew nothing and have them re-write all the manuals as they learned from a beginners perspective.

[@bertusduiverman4743]

My first visit. Subscribed. Terrific lay out.

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

Awesome and thank you! Dig through some of my older videos when you have some time.

[@locolorenzo]

The facia is looking good Ray.🤗 It makes such an amazing, professional difference, and that part of the layout looks "finished" even w/o scenery. 🚂Lawrence

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. The lights and fascia look great. Very nice update.👍

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

Thank you! Not without its imperfections but good enough for me!

[@monsvillerailways5736]

Wow, what a huge layout with so much potential. 👍

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

Thank you! Since I started framing in the room I've been at it almost 3 years so far.

[@monsvillerailways5736]

@@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061 wow. I've built 5 Layouts to 85% scenery completion in 2.5 years. I can't imagine working on a layout that long and only having a base and track down. Best wishes for the scenery going forward. Happy Modelling

[@Robls501510]

Great update, Ray. Looking forward to some scenery in the future.

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

You and me both. It's probably another year or 2 before I start much scenery, unless I do a random spot or 2 for roster shots.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Great progress on your layout, very impressive still more work great job

[@bobainsworth5057]

If you have an old computer, take the power supply out and use it for ALL regulated 12v., 5v., ,dc. Mine which was old had 8amps for the least voltages. There are a number of. U tube videos on how to do it. It took me two days because I mounted it on plywood that I painted and I added switches to turn on and turn on each voltage and switches to split up voltages to different things such as fast clock, signal relays and KEDS for lighting and signals.

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

This is how I'm powering my 12v bus. The lights in running on their own blocks since in the end I'll have close to 400 linear feet. Seemed excessive to just pile it on.

[@HerbertMorse]

Great progress keep it up .. Bleman

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

Thank you!

[@The0311gruntUSMC]

Get work as always Ray. I too always look forward to your updates. On a side note question, where has your trusted four legged yard boss been? I have noticed her has of late.

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

Thank you. Betty passed early November. She was ancient- and had been struggling to walk for some time before that (hence why you hadn't seen her much leading up to that). There's a short tribute to her at the end of my 11/18/23 update. Needless to say, she's missed, and for the first time in my adult life I'm dogless. I did befriend a feral cat a year ago who ended up having kittens in my garage. While all the kittens went out and played, one would just look inside the door. So one day I let her in. I named her kitty.... extremely talkative cat. She may eventuality show up in videos.

[@loupecci4901]

Busy man.

[@cleasanna05]

Great layout, so much going on. Its inspiring, i plan to build a large layout in the future, i just need the space when i purchase a home. These vidoes help me see what is possible. I do N scale so i am really looking forward to getting the space to maximize the potential of N Scale.

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

That's awesome! And also glad I'm able to pass some lessons learned. I've been thinking about doing a video just all about things to consider when you're building at this size that wouldn't be such a big deal on something smaller.

[@cleasanna05]

@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061 indeed there is much more to consider with a large wall layout. Incorporating a helix and multiple levels requires more knowledge and technique. The wiring and DCC systems become more complex with so much track and turnouts on the layout.

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

@cleasanna05 yeah. I think those are the kinds of things people think of. But I'm thinking - what are you using for wire, connectors, terminal bars. When you need 50 ft of wire... who cares right? When you need 1000 - thinking about it up front for availability, price, etc is a way bigger consideration. My block detection is working different than people who have a central point with banks of bdl168's - the amount of wire that would have required would have went into the miles. So. Silly stuff. Not sexy stuff. But you do need to think about a little different. Well. I suppose you don't "have" to. But, it helps. Lol maybe I'm the weirdo that thinks of these things!

[@cleasanna05]

@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061 DCC and wiring would be a big concern of mine because I don't have much experience in wiring. Benchwork is not so hard if someone has the right tools and takes their time. But getting power distributed properly to a larger layout would be a learn as I go type of thing. I have plenty of rolling stock stored, and when I get the space, the temptation to build a large layout will likely be hard to resist. I just need to make it cost-effective. Since I don't have a track plan, it's hard to know how much track and wire I will need. These videos at least give me somewhat of a gauge of what is possible.

[@alleghenyamerican1]

Looks great! Did you ever find your cad files for 3d printed B&LE caboose’s?

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

No. I have acquired an oriental brass I'll be able to compare. I plan on re-drawing it at some point

[@jstockton303]

Good update, do you have any information on the meter?

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

Sure do www.amazon.com/Current-Amperage-Voltmeter-Multimeter-Transformer/dp/B07JB9B2QL?pd_rd_w=TuMZL&content-id=amzn1.sym.452c3ac5-14f8-4a5d-834c-a18a40246a9b&pf_rd_p=452c3ac5-14f8-4a5d-834c-a18a40246a9b&pf_rd_r=50GKXD1GMJSYZ1175NJE&pd_rd_wg=3pvBC&pd_rd_r=2c7c87fa-a3f3-4a68-8a1e-0c79fd7353db&pd_rd_i=B07JB9B2QL&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_grid_dv_rp_0_20_sc

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Question what radius are you using for the track around your round house , looks fantastic

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

Thank you. I think the main is 32 and the passing track is 30.

[@jeffklein602]

Did you work out of GE Schenectady?

[@bessemerlakeerieinhoscale6061]

No but I spent a good amount of time in bldg 66 changing it over from the battery plant to cores and castings. I also did about 9 months at the research center in Niskayuna. I started in Erie, set up the ft worth shop and was there a few years. Worked in Greenville sc at gas power for 5, and a short tour of a year in diesel engine at Grove City pa. Visited the Bangor Maine shop and Lynn mass shop. Currently in nuclear based out of Wilmington NC, but I work remote.

[@jeffklein602]

Thanks for the reply. My wife managed transport and then turbine configuration for a long time in NY. Early retirement in 2021.