Layout Components

Layout Building Techniques

Background

Buildings

Track

Scales and Gauges
Standard Gauge: Rail separation is 4 ft. 8.5 in. at scale
O Scale: 1:48
Minimum distance between outer rails for O gauge is 1.25 inches.
HO Scale: 1:47
HO Track Separation – Center Line Distance
Curves 24 to 30 Radius 3.00 inches
Curves < 24″ Radius – 3.25″
Grade (Scale Independent)
Ideal: 2% or less
Maximum: 4%
Grade on curves is more stressful for engines
Atlas HO Code 100 Track

Turntable

Walthers 933-2860 90′ Turntable Kit, 12-3/4″ 32.3cm hole, 13-3/4″ 34.9cm overall
Walthers 933-2320 Cornerstone Turntable Control Box (included)
Walthers 933-2321 Cornerstone Turntable Advanced Control Module DCC
Walthers 933-3041 Three-Stall Roundhouse — Kit – 14 x 14-1/4 x 4-11/16″

Cog Railway

N-Scale Rack-Rail System Layout

Throttle

NCE Cab06e Throttle

Wireless Throttle

Engine Driver – Android App for Phone (Use with JMRI WiThrottle or NCE WifiTrax server)
WiThrottle – iOS (Use with JMRI WiThrottle Server)
Wifi-Trax for NCE

Turnouts

Ross Custom Switches – Quick Install Manuals
Wiring Ross Switches with non-derailer
Crossover Railway Turnouts

Switches

DZ-2500 Switch Machine
DZ-1000 Switch Machine with DZ-1002P Remote

Block Detection

Digitrax BDL168
Accu Lites BDL 168 Breakout Board

Sensors

Reed Switches and Magnets Using Arduino 1

Signals

RR-CirKits SignalMan – controls 16 Signals
Digitrax SE74

Auto Reversers

DCC Specialties – PSXX-AR

LCC

RR-Cirkits LCC Wiring

DCC

DCC decoders maximum: 22 V
DCC Track Voltage: N Scale 12V, HO Scale 14.5V, O Scale 18 V
Track wire bus should be a minimum of 14 gauge.
Power drops from track using thinner wire to connect to the bus are OK as long as they are less than 12 inches in length.

DCC Wiki
NCE PH10 Manual – North Coast Engineering
NCE PB110A Manual Default Track Volatage: 16V (adjustable)
NCE Power and Track Connectors – Digi-Key ED1962 or 277-1163
NCE Power Pro-R overview and basic setup
NCE PH-Pro Manual
NCE 5240223 USB Programmer for Power Cab
NCE 5240225 EB1 v1.1 Single District Electronic DCC track power Circuit Breaker
NCE DCC 10amp O Gauge Shopping List
NMRA – DCC – Digital Command Control
DCC Model Railroad Projects with Arduinos

DCC Decoders

MTH Rail King DCC Operation
NCE 5240115 Snap-It Stationary Decoder $20.24 $24.99 Manual

LocoNet

Power Source 12 V, RJ12 straight through Cable

DigiTrax – LocoNet Products
RR-Cikkits Product Descriptions
RR-Cirkits LB-NG – LocoBuffer-NG – USB A to LocoNet – Quick Start Guide. LB-USB Rev-n
RR-Cirkits TC64 – Tower Controller 64 I/O to LocoNet, 5 V I/O, Revision History, etc.
RR-Cirkits TC64 Mark II Manual – Tower Controller 64 I/O to LocoNet, 5 V I/O, CV Listing Wiring

Up to 64 I/O signals grouped in 8 ports of 8 signals
0 to 8 Ports of 8 +5V to -5V Inputs or Outputs
0 to 8 Ports for Plug In Boards (or ribbon cable):
OIB-8 (OI-IB-8) Board (Monitor 8 DCC voltage Inputs From Sensors) 1 to 8 boards – Rev E (back), Rev F
RB-4 RB-4 4 line SPDT 10A Relay Board
BOD-8 Board (Block Occupancy – Monitor 8 DCC current via coil) 1 to 8 boards
SCSD-8 (Single Coil Solenoid Driver) 35V VDC Max.
See Section 5 of TC64 Manual for more available I/O boards