3x5 N Scale Layout Project Part 2: Wiring for DCC

In this video, I show how I wired the project layout for DCC including push-button turnout controls. I also put new legs on the layout and sanded, stained, and polyurethaned the layout frame. In the next video, I will work on weathering and ballasting the track completing the base scenery and starting on the structures.
Watch Part 1 here: • New 3x5 N Scale Layout...
Read more on Part 2 here: www.steves-tra...
Track plan: www.steves-tra...
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Hi there, my name is Steve and on this channel, I make videos on:
• Small Model Train Layouts
• N Scale Trains
• HO Scale Trains
• On30 Trains
• Building Structures
• Scenery and Terrain Building
• Layout Operations
• Layout Details
• Hobby Tools
• Weathering Projects
• Layout Wiring and Electronics
More on my website: www.steves-trai...
Facebook: / trainsbysteve
KZbin Page: / stevestrains
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• Shop Books: www.steves-tra....
• Shop Train Sets: www.steves-tra...
• Shop N Scale Track: www.steves-tra...
• Shop Scenery Materials: www.steves-tra....
• Shop Tools: www.steves-tra....
• Shop Structures: www.steves-tra...
• Shop Throttles: www.steves-tra....
Favorite Online Hobby Shops
• www.fiferhobby.com
• www.horizonhob...
• www.modeltrain...
• www.trainworld...
• www.walthers.com
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[@charlesmitchell487]

You inspire me sir! I, like you, tend toward the "retentive" side. Elegant and detailed.-highly respected and rewarding. You remind me of what John Lassiter used to say about Pixar movies "we paint the underside of the drawers." I endeavor to emulate your approach. Invaluable.

[@bfriesen2636]

I am thinking of starting a layout and your videos have been a big help in deciding to try n scale. thank you and keep up the great videos

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

N scale is the best when you want to save space

[@brianclow5704]

Layout looks amazing. I would love to keep watching your videos but that cubs shirt, I don't know......lol I'm a Jays fan being from Canada and all. Of course we all know the jays will win. Waiting for next update.

[@StevesTrains]

The Jays are fine...it would be an issue if you were a Cardinals fan.

[@dexterdog62]

Jay’s are a bunch of posers.

[@rogerdean5313]

Liquid nail is great to hold the track.

[@StevesTrains]

Yeah I should go back to using that. The hot glue can cause a fair bit of trouble sometimes if it dries before you get things pressed down flat.

[@drkitto52]

Excellent

[@benb2301]

Such a cool project! I can't wait to see what you do next!!

[@ravenlorans]

I built a few layouts for people. Used Hollow Core Doors from Lows/Home Depot/Menards. You could get Scratch-n-Dent for around $5 each. Simple 2x4's for Frame and Legs.

[@StevesTrains]

Yep, hollow core doors are great for layouts. You can usually get decent folding legs from there as well.

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

This looks great! It’s really coming along

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

@@StevesTrains seeing this makes me want to expand my layout

[@FNG0000]

Wow that's amazing

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@FNG0000]

Can't wait for scenery that's going to be another masterpiece.

[@mattmatty4670]

Cool thanks mate

[@peteshoulders1]

simple and neat mate

[@elleryparsons5766]

Hey Steve nice shirt wearing a Cubs Shirt sweet keep up The nice job.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Look great, I want to make a small layout like this, take to the Park and run trains

[@ravenlorans]

At a hobby shop I hung out at Everyday (unofficial Employee), we had a layout in the window. Bachmann EZ-Crap.. I mean track. 30-40ft worth of track. Dog bone. So many gaps in the track, we decided to close them. By the time we were done, we had over 3inch Gap. So we had to go back and put all the gaps back in.That was the Nickle Silver Track. The Steel Track was Worse.

[@StevesTrains]

I’m sure the thermal expansion and contraction of the track if it was getting direct sun through a window was probably pretty significant I’ve done some layouts in the past with ez-track and had success with it. It certainly isn’t as durable as kato track in terms of reuse, but if you just put it down and leave it, the track can work fine. The main issue is that the rail joiners can become loose very easy on the Bachmann track so if you reuse the track you need to make sure you crimp the rail joiners back down.

[@ravenlorans]

@@StevesTrains The heat from the window had nothing to do with it. Not direct sunlight and all the gaps were there right after we assembled the track. All done within a hour or so. Never had Problems with their Normal Track having gaps. We were not the only ones having gap issues. A Lot of the costumers were having same issues. They didn't like all the gaps and closed them only to find one Huge one by the time they finished. Plus EZ-Crap... I mean Track is Double and is some cases More than Double the cost of Normal Track. Tho Price of Regular Track has gone up since mid 2000's..

[@ravenlorans]

@@StevesTrains Plus NO Flex Track in that kind of Track. Sure, they have the 3ft Long track but $$$$. Could get Flex for about $4. but EZ-Crap... I mean Track, $9 or more. I am a Atlas Fanboy for track..

[@tombolin7168]

Starting to think about a new layout . Trying to keep it simple . Maybe 2x3 .

[@PeterWaldraff]

Nice project! I like the choice of the black legs, nice contrast. I probably missed it on a previous video but what is the portability for?

[@StevesTrains]

I’m building this for a client and have to transport it and wanted the legs to look nice and be easy to put back on so the layout wouldn’t get damaged in the process “whoops, flipped it over putting the legs on”

[@StevenFosse]

Are those flat push buttons on off or momentary?

[@StevesTrains]

Momentary

[@skunkworks2059]

Is it possible to run a bigboy on this type of layout. P.s im a new subscriber to your channel. Thanks for the great videos.

[@StevesTrains]

Yes, I have a video or two where I run an Athearn Big Boy on this layout. The curve radius is no problem for any of the big boy models out there (BLI, Kato, etc). The only thing to be careful of is the tunnel portals and clearances around the curves since those locomotives are long and will overhang the track on curves more than other equipment so you need a little more space between the track and scenery than you might initially think.

[@andycrawford9870]

Being somewhat a wiring dummy, and that I use NCE, is there an equivalent to the DS64 units you used? I like the appearance of the momentary switch buttons for my Kato turnouts. Flush and compact for fascia mounting.

[@StevesTrains]

I don’t really know anything about what NCE has available but I would imagine they have something similar. Maybe someone else can chime in.

[@SteveH-TN]

I saw on another Channel some successfully used DS64 with NCE.😂

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Ok I like the legs but have a question: Are the legs the same ones that originally folded in? If so, does the plate come with the set so you can screw the legs on, so they won't fold? Was a little confused and was considering buying them. Thanks for any help on this subject!!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!!

[@StevesTrains]

So the legs come with the folding brackets and the fixed plates. I didn’t have to buy anything extra. I didn’t know I was going to get both, however, so I can’t be certain you will always get both of you order those legs.

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

@@StevesTrains Thanks for getting back. Will try it out & hope I get both plates as well.

[@tracytesmer7033]

Steve, I have Couple questions about your set up for turn out control. Can you provide a spec or link for your push button switches? And does wiring the switches the way you have preclude being able to you the Zephyr or hand throttle from being able to operate the turn outs? Thanks TT

[@StevesTrains]

This is the link to the buttons: amzn.to/3KjR6IA and yes, you can still operate the turnouts using the zephyr or hand controller as well. Since the buttons are momentary, they don't interfere with any other controls. It simply flips the direction from whatever the current direction of the turnout is when pressed.

[@tracytesmer7033]

@@StevesTrains thanks Steve. I have learned so much from you and your videos!!

[@clashofking2clashofking25]

what is the name of the controller?

[@StevesTrains]

It is a Digitrax Zephyr unit

[@brenmayhugh]

Where did you find those push buttons? Those look great!

[@tonykane8866]

Where did u get that soldering iron at

[@StevesTrains]

It is this one: amzn.to/3d5WH78 but I got it as a Christmas/birthday present from my brother-in-law, so I'm not sure where he actually bought it from.

[@drkitto52]

I'd be interested in ordering that layout?

[@StevesTrains]

This layout was built for a client, so it isn’t available for sale.

[@drkitto52]

Is it possible to order a similar layout?

[@StevesTrains]

The waitlist is probably 3-4 years right now. I can add you to the list if you want, but it will be quite a while before I could get to a project for you.

[@drkitto52]

Pls add me...😊

[@lingeriedeparis7274]

your projects are always the best thank you, can you tell me how far apart you put your feeder wires? and do you solder track does it help

[@StevesTrains]

I usually put feeder wires in between each set of turnouts or otherwise about every three feet or so. That is overkill, especially if you solder rail joints, but you are going to have some voltage drop through every rail connection over time, so have no more feeders can help prevent areas with voltage drops as the layout ages. That really isn’t that much of a problem but it isn’t that hard to add more feeders when building and a harder problem to solve 5-10 years down the road. The fewer rail joints you have the fewer feeders you need. If you solder rail joints leave some open for expansion and contraction of the layout will undergo any significant temperature swings. If you solder rail joints you in theory need fewer feeders because most of the voltage drop will happen across the rail joiners.

[@dqauto500]

Flipping amazing and high detailed!!!! Great job! I don’t have dcc but I’m definitely inspired to copy yours!

[@paullaughton3031]

Brilliant works well congrates

[@ronaldjoyce7374]

Excellent job so far, love the finish Wood! I’m actually doing your 2x3 layout with a few modifications 😱. Thanks for some great tips 👍🏻.

[@patoconnor1743]

Layout is looking good! Will be waiting for future updates.

[@loispadgett6306]

Thank you for update and the info learned a lot. 🚂 GOD BLESS

[@brunocs7315]

Mais um excelente trabalho Steves!!! Parabéns!! Ansioso para ver o final!🇧🇷

[@StevesTrains]

Muito obrigado!

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

This looks great!

[@mikeilkenhons8896]

Great video. Couldn’t help but notice the Cubs shirt. I was born in Burlington Iowa. We had the Burlington Bees farm club for Chicago Cubs. I saw Billy Williams play his last game at Burlington. My dad was transferred with the CB&Q to Chicago. We lived in Aurora to avoid the Chicago congestion. My dad took me to see the opening day in 1959 at Wriggly and saw Billy play his first game as a Cubbie. Great memories.

[@StevesTrains]

Nice! I grew up in the Chicago area and so went to quite a few Cubs games over the years.

[@kevinreed4027]

Which set of table legs did you use? I have looked at the web site.

[@StevesTrains]

This is the info: 35" Tall, Heavy Duty, Single Folding Table Leg SKU: FOLD35-Black-ABS-Foot

[@charliewilderness907]

Hi Steve: I would if you could send a complete wiring diagram. I'm new to this, I have almost everything to start my project. I'm also wondering where you got your Kato # 20541: curved 15"+16.3", angle 45 (viaduct) 2. I have run out of options. Can you help with the items?

[@tonykane8866]

Ok so on the kato switches did u do insulated jointers on both sides of the rail or just one side of the rail

[@StevesTrains]

I used insulated joiners on both rails of both tracks of the frog end. You really just need to insulate the frog rails but I did both rails so there wouldn’t be a gap in the other rail since the insulated joiners have that plastic piece that separates the rails.

[@tonykane8866]

@@StevesTrains so with doing both rails , when using the dcc power pac i looks like it goes smoothly all the way around . But what on the sidings . When u move the loco over past the insulated joints is there a dead spot if a set wheels are between the 2 joints

[@StevesTrains]

@@tonykane8866 The Kato turnouts are power routing (which is the only reason to insulate the frog end rails in the first place), so if the turnout is thrown the correct direction, the section of rail between the frog and the insulated rail joiner will be powered. If it is thrown the incorrect direction (relative to where the locomotive is), that section of track will be dead. Having those joints insulated just helps to prevent shorts and the whole layout shutting down if a locomotive enters a turnout from the frog end and the turnout is thrown the wrong way.