This section provides a brief description of the electrics used to operate Summerfield. In time I intend to add sections containing some circuit diagrams and some information of my DCC loco conversions.
In The Beginning
Summerfield was originally wired up for DC block control. It used three home made electronic throttles, each one controlling its own region. One controlled the UP line the other the Down line while the third controlled the Yard area. Each region was divided into blocks, which could be switched in or out as required. Some block sections could be controlled from more then one throttle to allow the interchange of trains between regions and to aid in shunting etc. The whole layout was controlled from one central control panel, which had the track diagram on it. All block switches, throttle select switches and point control switches were located on this panel. The panel also indicated the settings of points and which blocks were switched in and occupied. It also indicated which throttle was controlling each block. Each point or block section on the panel was illuminated from behind to provide the indication. This system required a lot of wiring, and although it worked very well, took a little getting used of for new operators. The panel was to be mounted on a movable stand but this was never built and it just sat on a chair for the three years it was in use. The Peco point motors were controlled from a home made Capacitor Discharge system.
Front & rear views of the original control panel before plugging into the layout.
(The track diagram has altered considerably since)
The Changeover
It was decided that converting to DCC would enhance operations and make operating sessions easier, in particular for new operators. One of the biggest issues facing anyone converting to DCC is the overall cost and which system to use. I then spent the next 12 months researching the then current crop of DCC systems and spoke to many operators at exhibitions etc and even tried a few out. I eventually decided on an NCE system, my plan was to buy the NCE Power Cab, and if it all proved satisfactory upgrade to a full Power House Pro system, were the Power Cab would become a second throttle. I also purchased a number of DCC decoders to fit into a few locomotives in preparation for the change over. The Power Cab duly arrived and to try out the system I simply disconnected the three throttles, connecting the regions together and turned on all blocks, and suddenly I was running DCC. I was hooked instantly. Within three months the Power House Pro arrived, and I made the decision to rewire the whole layout.
The DCC Era
The layout is still divided into three main regions, i.e. The Up line, the Down line and the Yard areas, and each region still has a number of block sections just like in the DC version. Each Region is fed through it's own Region Master switch to allow regions to be switched in or out if needed. A separate Power Buss is run under the layout for each region which is fed to each of the block sections through a 12 volt car brake lamp. This lamp reduces the current to around 2 amps should a short circuit occur within a given block. This prevents the rest of the layout from shutting down should a short occur. This method has proven to work very well indeed. The block sections will also allow me to add block detection sensors which will be used in the control of the signalling system which will also be interlocked with the points. Some work has been done on this but is still in the early stages. All points are also controlled by DCC and can be set from the throttle. In time small track diagram panels will be fitted to the edge of the layout with separate switches to control the points and provide a visual indication of their setting. This will allow operation of the points via the control panel or thought the throttle. The wiring for these has been installed, but the panels are yet to be built. I run a separate power bus for point control, just to keep the two separate. I have used NCE "Snap IT's" to control my points and these have been hooked up to a separate 15 volt power supply, thus not requiring the Train Power to switch the points.
Snap It's mounted below the layout. NCE Power Pro System with two Cabs.
Scenic Lighting
Most of the buildings and street lights work and are fitted with low voltage lamps of one kind or another. Most buildings use 15 volt lamps from a Christmas tree set. while most street lights are 12 volt grain of wheat lamps or similar. All are run well below there voltage rating which gives a much more realistic glow of light and greatly increases the lamp life. These lights are powered from separate transformers. The signalling system and panel indicators are all powered from an old computer power supply, mounted below the layout.
The incomplete control panel.