Daley Train Log
Page 28
I have ordered 2 Digitrax DS64 turnout decoders for my layout. Unfortunately the store in Calgary was not able to say when they might arrive but I decided it is better to get in the queue than to wait until they have it in stock.
I have spent about two hours drawing up a new diagram of my layout. I have decided to divide my track into 6 districts and then number the turnouts within each district. The intent is to have some redundancy in the numbering so that the number actually tells me something about where it is located.
I will use a 3-digit code for each turnout. The first digit will represent the district, if the second digit is 0 - 4 then the turnout is on the mainline, if the second digit is 5 -9 then the turnout is on a spur line. The third digit is a sequence number. At the moment I have only identified turnouts that are on the mainlines. My thinking at the moment is to build in some redundancy to the turnout numbers so I can spot some possible errors (i.e. if I know I am on the mainline and I see a turnout #355 then that should be in District 3 and it is on a spur line.)
Here are the numbers for each district (loosely based on the order they were developed):
District #1: Coaldale
District #2: Wild Rose
District #3: Queenston
District #4: Black Diamond
District #5: Pine Ridge
District #6: Jasper
I have two more tasks that I would like to complete today. The first is to glue down the foam base for the wooden trestle. The second is to continue testing the mainline routes by running CN 6700 over the routes as I identify them.
The wooden trestle is now glued down. Now to try three more routes (going west instead of east):
Route 3: Local West (Coaldale West - Pine Ridge - Queenston - Coaldale East)
Leave Coaldale West, heading west. T13 open, T11 open, T9 - T6 closed. T5 open, T24 open, T23 - T20 closed, T19 open, Pine Ridge. T18 closed, T17 closed, T16 open, T15 open, Queenston. T14 closed, T4 open, T3 - T1 closed, Coaldale East.
I ran this route twice with no problems.
Route 5: Local West (Coaldale West - Pine Ridge - Prairie Dog - Pine Ridge - Queenston - Coaldale West)
Leave Coaldale West, heading west. T13 open, T11 open, T9 - T6 closed. T5 open, T24 open, T23 - T20 closed, T19 open, Pine Ridge. T18 open, T30 open, T29 - T26 closed, T25 open, T24 closed, T23 - T20c, T19 open, Pine Ridge. T18 closed, T17 closed, T16 open, T15 open, Queenston. T14 closed, T4 open, T3 - T1 closed, Coaldale East.
I ran this route twice with no problems. I had to change Turnouts 24 and 18 on the second pass through them.
Route 7: Local West (Coaldale West - Jasper - wooden trestle - Coaldale East)
Leave Coaldale West, heading west. T13 closed, T12 open, T35 open, Jasper. T35 open, T36 closed, T37 closed, reverse locomotive, T37 open, T39 open, T40 closed, T34 closed, forward locomotive, T34 open, wooden trestle. T33 - T32 closed, T6 open, T5 closed, T4 closed, T3 - T1 closed, Coaldale East.
I ran this route twice with no problems. This is the only way that a locomotive leaving Coaldale West can travel over the wooden trestle going west. The maneuver involves two changes of direction, both times the locomotive passes over the turnout, stops, changes the turnout, and then reverse the direction.
This was a very rewarding activity. I am beginning to really feel that I am controlling the locomotive and that I am travelling over a lengthy route.
I now have 8 routes ( 4 west, 4 east) mapped out in terms of the turnout settings.
If I change to a 3-digit numbering system for the turnouts, the description and the keying in of the turnout numbers will both be lengthened.