Wiring And Tracklaying Complete On The Inglenook

This past week I completed wiring and DCC switch machine hookup and programming on the Inglenook. Below is a botom view:

In the upper left is a Digitrax DS52 switch machine decoder configured to operate the Peco solenoid switch machines. At right are two terminal strips connected to the DCC bus. There are three sets of leads connected to track on the layout, whih is maybe a bit of overkill, but the belt-and-suspenders approach will lead to trouble-free operation. Over years of use, solder joints do come loose.

There are enough spare positions on the terminal strips to allow other features to be added as technology develops. I think this layout is potentially a good pilot candidate to operate with a computer and JMRI. The switch addresses are set up not to conflict with any other addresses on any of my other projects, such as the main HO layout and the T-Trak modules.

Below are the completed tracks on the layout. I've drybrushed the ties with reefer gray and railroad tie brown pending ballasting. The cutouts for the Peco switch machines and the Kadee 308 magnet have been covered with heavy brown paper.

The diamond at far right will connect to a dummy track. One thing I discovered in doing this layout was that N wooden-tie code 80 flex track has disappeared from the stores, both local and on line. I didn't notice it at first because I had enough left over from previous layouts to salvage for this one, but not enough to add the dummy track for the diamond. I'll either use concrete tie track or wait for wooden tie track to become available again. The dummy track is a scenery item and a nice-to-have, so it can wait.

I took the layout to a temporary test location on top of our clothes washer and connected it to the DCC bus on my HO layout for proof of concept and final test. Everything works:

The layout will now move to its projected semi-final location for finishing.