N SCALE LAYOUT UPDATE: Electronics, Track Testing and Test Run!

[@CajonSub]

Great progress Peter, really enjoyed the wiring explanation underneath the layout, it’s very clean and organized! Thanks for sharing. - Steve

[@peter_borcherds]

Thank you! Glad you liked it. Trying to make it easier to troubleshoot…plus less chance of catching the wiring on something if I move the module

[@CajonSub]

@@peter_borcherds I completely understand, I did mine similar. Set up to easily take apart and move in sections if needed. Mine isn’t near as tidy as yours!

[@peter_borcherds]

@@CajonSub think it’s a bit of my OCD 🤣

[@CajonSub]

@@peter_borcherds nothing wrong with a little of that when building a layout! 👍🏻

[@peter_borcherds]

@@CajonSub very true!

[@yootoob7048]

Nicely Done! Very clean wiring and attention to detail. Should rarely need troubleshooting but easy to diagnose if a problem presents.

[@peter_borcherds]

Thank you! It definitely helps! I’ve had a gremlin already, but was easy to troubleshoot

[@billcarey3343]

Very nice Peter, great video showing the "underbelly". Looking forward to more, as always!

[@peter_borcherds]

Thank you! Yes, you rarely get to see the underbelly of layouts…so I wanted to show it all

[@kenzieska9148]

Peter, nice progress. Thanks for the update and taking us along on the build.

[@peter_borcherds]

Thanks Ken! It’s been fun so far!

[@deanhalls1457]

Looking good Peter. You’ve got me interested in the potential of a Helix although I note that you now have extra support posts (they look like wood dowels) between the levels in addition to the metal threaded rods. Is this a recommended addition? Kind regards Dean

[@peter_borcherds]

Thanks, Dean! Using a kit makes a helix so much easier - doing it yourself scares a lot of people, but a kit is the way to go! Yes, it was recommended to me to add extra supports. I used dowels as that was the easiest after the helix was installed. The metal rods are just a little too far apart and there is potential for the thin ply to sag there. On my next helix I will drill holes for extra rods before building the helix so that I can align them properly and they will work better than dowels

[@deanhalls1457]

@@peter_borcherds I wondered if that were the case, still at least you found a solution without too much hassle or expense. Look forward to your next output. Regards Dean

[@peter_borcherds]

Thanks Dean! Hoping to put another one out in a week or so

[@Howie2025]

That’s an impressive electronics setup underneath. Where did you find the different coloured Anderson powerpoles? I see someone went to town on Scale Trains autoracks 😂

[@peter_borcherds]

Ha ha! I was hoping no one noticed! I only bought 12 🤣🤣 There’s a company here in the UK that has all the colours for the Powerpoles. No idea where you would get it in the US (or elsewhere?).

[@georgehorne394]

looking good! had you looked at DCC Concepts wireless panel?

[@peter_borcherds]

Thank you! Yes, I’ve seen that. I spoke to the chap from DCC Concepts at the British Region NMRA Convention last year. Really great concept, but not sure about cost in long term, haven’t added up what it would likely cost. Will definitely be looking into it as a great concept and reduces a lot of the wiring needed.