WVR Blog

Blue Sky and Benchwork


I was able to get some work done on the WVR this week. I put up Masonite backdrop and worked on benchwork. I used 1/8 inch Masonite hardboard for the backdrop. Masonite installed for the upper and lower levels I had to take some time out of my schedule today…

Back from Vacation


I have not been able to update the blog for a while, been busy working outside. Finally finished up a new paver patio and grilling area a couple of days ago. Unfortunately my wife and I used most of our two week vacation putting it in. I did manage to…

Wiring Just Sucks!


I've been working on the layout off and on for the last few weeks. Haven't taken the time to write a new post because I just feel like I haven't been getting much done. I've been wiring up an new section of track with three turnouts and going back through…

More Benchwork


Having finally figured out the electronics and methods (for the most part) I want to use throughout the layout, I have started with more benchwork. I have a rough plan or two for the yard area along the north wall, I'll call it the North Yard for now. The lower…

Turning Engines 2


I am using this slip ring to transmit power to the rotating turntable bridge. I made an adapter from plastic, the brass tube fits inside the axle of the bridge and the other end fits the diameter of the slip ring. I decided to use four of the 6 wires…

Turning Engines 1


I was thinking of purchasing a Walthers turntable sometime in the future. I will need two turntables for my planned layout. They sell a 110' and 130' ready to run turntable which can be converted to DCC with an additional board. After some research, I am not so sure that…

Making a Circuit Board


I got my first (of many) semaphore working last week. For my initial test, I used one of my turnout decoders to operate it. I'll need those for turnouts (plus a few!) so I designed a new decoder for the signals. It is a simplified version, based on my turnout…

Signal Working


Here is a You Tube video showing a test of a Tomar semaphore on my layout. The semaphore is animated by a hobby servo connected to a DCC accessory decoder based on an Arduino Pro Mini board. JMRI is used to control the signal based on block occupancy. I'm utilizing…

Turnout Control – Update


The turnout control I described in my last post was working great... That is until I subsequently added block detection to the mixture. I am using RR-CirKits equipment to access the Loconet buss of my Digitrax system. I am using BOD-8 block detectors, connected in this case, to a TowerMan…

Turnout Control


It appears that the plan is coming together! I have successfully set up the RR-CirKits TC Mark II to output the switch message on Loconet to drive my turnout accessory decoder. This allows me to operate turnouts via a panel switch, my throttle, and a JMRI panel.
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