Modeling Tips

How to install a DCC decoder

Coming up

Build a RLW K-27 kit

See this blog post.

How to make a Digitrax dwarf signal

Using the Base Mast Kit (Digitrax artikel SMBK, N scale) as - well - the base - we add the typical Rio Grande hood from styrene. If desired, cut off the upper head just above the lower head (Secret tip: you can make a dwarf from this stump by soldering it to a copper tube for ground + a wire to each LED). See [this blog post](/blog/2019/rio-grande-signal/).

Build a housing for the Digitrax DS52 stationary decoder

The Digitrax DS52 stationary decoder consists of a PCB with a connector. After programming, it seemed wise to put it inside a decent enclosure to reduce dust and accidental damage. At Conrad I ordered a 53,5 x 45 x 23 mm StrapuBox item 522600. Pictured below are the modifications to get the decoder inside. Put a label on the front with the decoder ID (I use pattern DS52-###) plus the DCC adresses of both outputs and attach the case to the layout with 2 screws.

Build an add-on logic inverter daughterboard for an HDL LocoIO

To reduce the number of outputs required to connect a switch panel to Loconet, I designed a small PCB with 4 CMOS 4011 IC's. Every output pin on J10/J11 is inverted to a second LED on the panel. See this blog post.

JMRI Panel

My digital control panel was built using Panel Editor and is displayed on a compact LCD monitor by JMRI PanelPro 2.4.1 on OSX 10.4.6, the last version supported by my MacMini hardware/Java combo.
The graphics match a generic (US-built) Entrance-Exit (NX) CTC machine, in use from 1950 until the mid-nineties. However, most turnouts are operated with an Individual Function Switch (IFS); see the Signaling Wiki.

I started by drawing a compact track schematic in 4 pt white lines on a black background. At the switches I erased the connecting lines to enable the JMRI small track schematic icons to display the turnout positions. Tunnels are drawn in a medium grey. I edited some JMRI turnout icons to apply at 45 degree lines, as free rotation was not yet in JMRI at the time. Locations, Block boundaries and numbers were added to help in the orientation of the dispatcher. In JMRI PanelPro icons from the Small LED schematics group were added to show track occupancy and Medium LED icons to display and control the current state of lighting etc. JMRI Routes are used to control the yard ladders. Turnouts in hidden trackage are monitored using Infrared detectors, also shown on the panel, supported bij audio signals produced by JMRI.
Some years later, signals were added on the layout as well as to the panel. All the logic to show the correct Aspects is controlled as Signal Mast Logic following a customized Rio Grande 1965 Rule Book signal definition. My physical control panels on the layout fascia sport the same graphic style, be it black on yellow to match the carpet: