This is a presentation of N scale modeling techniques. This page is dedicated to how Tucson Ntrak has done things and will include
our own arsenal of
tips & tricks as well as reference links to other sites with additional material.
Some of this information can also be found in the 'N Scale Resources' area, with links to other helpful
websites.
This is a presentation of N scale modeling techniques. This page is dedicated to how Tucson Ntrak has done things and will include our own arsenal of tips & tricks as well as reference links to other sites with additional material. Some of this information can also be found in the 'N Scale Resources' area, with links to other helpful websites.
Interesting Lessons Learned at Louisville
This was emailed to us from the groups involved in The National
N scale Convention (NSC) Derby City Express in Louisville, KY which took place
on June 25-29, 2008
This is what was found as the DCC experience which was in collaboration with Digitrax DCC systems, Tucson
ntrak was not involved and was not a participant in the venue; this information is not our work
but we feel it is important enough for others to view.
The NTRAK layout occupied a space of 200' x 250' (50,000 sq ft) and
consisted of 702 individual modules configured in 8 loops connected
via a central core. It was the largest NTRAK layout yet assembled.
The Red Line Route was DCC-controlled using Digitrax equipment throughout the
layout. Two of the loops also used Red Line Route DCC power for all their tracks.
The front-most track, the Red Track, ran around all modules in the
layout. It was a little over a 3,800 foot long run, about 116 scale miles in N
scale, which took around 3 hours to complete.
The size of the layout presented significant challenges, which were
successfully met, although not as quickly as desired - DCC setup
started at
noon on Thursday and was completed at 4:40pm on Saturday; the plan
was to be
fully operational by 6pm Friday. The Digital Command Control (DCC) of
the
layout included new hardware that had not been tested in a layout
even close
to this size, as well as a beta test of yet to be released hardware.
The
beta test had no effect on setup time.
Statistics
The following are the total statistics relating to Red Line Route DCC
for
the DCE layout:
Command Station: 1
LocoNet Repeaters: 16 in center core, more in individual loops
Boosters: 42
Radio Receivers (Simplex): 16
Radio Receivers (Duplex): 7 (for beta test)
Feet of LocoNet cables used (estimated): 6,500 (includes ThrottleNet +
BoosterNet)
Maximum simultaneous engineers running on the Red Line Route: 93
Turnouts controlled via LocoNet commands: 170
LocoNet IDs assigned: 5
Additional Command Stations and Boosters were in loops with
independent DCC
tracks.
LocoNet Repeater (LNRP)
LNRPs were located in the center core of the layout at each junction
module,
two junction modules per loop, and each fed the ThrottleNet and
BoosterNet
for half a loop.
Troubleshooting
During setup as the ThrottleNet and BoosterNet load
on the
LNRPs increased we began to receive error messages from the LNRPs in
the
form of a double-flashing yellow LED. Per the LNRP manual this
indicates
that the RailSyncs are shorted to each other or to ground, which we
determined was not the case, especially since the flashing LED did not
always stop when the ThrottleNet and BoosterNet cables were
disconnected
from the unprotected side.
Digitrax began troubleshooting the LNRP issue and determined that the
input
voltage supplied to the LNRP was too low to support the load being
placed on
the LNRP by the long ThrottleNet and BoosterNet cables we used on the
loops.
The solution was to replace the PS12 12V supplies with purchased
Radio Shack
15V supplies. Once these were obtained and installed the problems
went away,
and we then completed troubleshooting and bringing up all the loops.
With
the higher input voltage the LNRPs operated as they should throughout
the
Convention.
Duplex Radio Beta Test
Digitrax provided several prototype duplex radio receivers and full-
duplex
throttles for beta testing on the NTRAK layout and other layouts at
DCE.
Initial testing by Digitrax took place on Thursday evening once
installation
of the spine was completed. Full testing on the NTRAK layout took
place on
Sunday. Digitrax indicated they would be making some additional
updates to
the code in the radio receivers and throttles based on the findings
from
this trial.
Recommendations
Despite detailed planning we always learn from setting up and running
these
huge layouts. There were a great many people involved in the DCC
setup.
Perhaps the most important lesson is to pay attention to details:
* Use only 6-wire telephone cable for LocoNet - no Ethernet or
serial
cables
* Make sure power supplies are the correct voltage - 9V into a
UR91
does not work
* Make sure LocoNet is connected to the proper port - a booster
plugged into the front or side panel of a UP5 does not work
* Make sure LocoNet plugs are crimped to the cable sheath, not
just
the 6 wires
* Make sure Command Stations used as Boosters are configured as
Boosters, and that the switches are set correctly - "N" and "Run"
The following more significant changes will be implemented. These are:
* Centralize the LNRPs on a panel at the Command Station rather
than
locating them around the spine of the layout. This would allow a
single
power supply of sufficient capacity to power all the LNRPs, and would
provide for easy viewing of the trouble LEDs on the LNRPs.
* Mount a tall pole at the Command Station with a lamp on the
top that
can be seen from anywhere around the layout. This lamp would be
connected to
the Rail A and B terminals of the Command Station and would be lighted
whenever track power is on. Thus anyone experiencing a locomotive
stop could
glance at this pole and determine whether it is their locomotive,
throttle
or area of track that is the problem, or whether track power is off
everywhere. (Note: the Command Station for our large NTRAK layouts is
purely
a Command Station; its Booster does not power any tracks.)
* Install and test DCC in each loop as if it were an
independent loop
with its own Command Station. Once complete and tested and any
problems
resolved then incorporate that loop into the main DCC system. This
would
have saved at least 3-4 hours of setup time, and is highly
recommended.
Summary
Derby City Express was a great success although a lot of work was
involved.
In retrospect it could have been possible for the Red Line Route to be
operational late Friday had we known earlier about the LNRP voltage
issue,
and had we used more independent testing of the various loops with
their own
Command Station.
Those who ran the Red Line Route were very pleased with the
experience. Some
ran it more than once.
Regards,
John Wallis,
Digital Master,
Derby City Express
The Brain Box
This is what was found as the DCC experience which was in collaboration with Digitrax DCC systems, Tucson ntrak was not involved and was not a participant in the venue; this information is not our work but we feel it is important enough for others to view.
The NTRAK layout occupied a space of 200' x 250' (50,000 sq ft) and consisted of 702 individual modules configured in 8 loops connected via a central core. It was the largest NTRAK layout yet assembled.
The Red Line Route was DCC-controlled using Digitrax equipment throughout the layout. Two of the loops also used Red Line Route DCC power for all their tracks.
The front-most track, the Red Track, ran around all modules in the layout. It was a little over a 3,800 foot long run, about 116 scale miles in N scale, which took around 3 hours to complete.
The size of the layout presented significant challenges, which were successfully met, although not as quickly as desired - DCC setup started at noon on Thursday and was completed at 4:40pm on Saturday; the plan was to be fully operational by 6pm Friday. The Digital Command Control (DCC) of the layout included new hardware that had not been tested in a layout even close to this size, as well as a beta test of yet to be released hardware. The beta test had no effect on setup time.
Statistics
The following are the total statistics relating to Red Line Route DCC for the DCE layout:
Command Station: 1
LocoNet Repeaters: 16 in center core, more in individual loops
Boosters: 42
Radio Receivers (Simplex): 16
Radio Receivers (Duplex): 7 (for beta test)
Feet of LocoNet cables used (estimated): 6,500 (includes ThrottleNet + BoosterNet)
Maximum simultaneous engineers running on the Red Line Route: 93
Turnouts controlled via LocoNet commands: 170
LocoNet IDs assigned: 5
Additional Command Stations and Boosters were in loops with independent DCC tracks.
LocoNet Repeater (LNRP)
LNRPs were located in the center core of the layout at each junction module, two junction modules per loop, and each fed the ThrottleNet and BoosterNet for half a loop.
Troubleshooting
During setup as the ThrottleNet and BoosterNet load on the LNRPs increased we began to receive error messages from the LNRPs in the form of a double-flashing yellow LED. Per the LNRP manual this indicates that the RailSyncs are shorted to each other or to ground, which we determined was not the case, especially since the flashing LED did not always stop when the ThrottleNet and BoosterNet cables were disconnected from the unprotected side.
Digitrax began troubleshooting the LNRP issue and determined that the input voltage supplied to the LNRP was too low to support the load being placed on the LNRP by the long ThrottleNet and BoosterNet cables we used on the loops.
The solution was to replace the PS12 12V supplies with purchased Radio Shack 15V supplies. Once these were obtained and installed the problems went away, and we then completed troubleshooting and bringing up all the loops. With the higher input voltage the LNRPs operated as they should throughout the Convention.
Duplex Radio Beta Test
Digitrax provided several prototype duplex radio receivers and full- duplex throttles for beta testing on the NTRAK layout and other layouts at DCE. Initial testing by Digitrax took place on Thursday evening once installation of the spine was completed. Full testing on the NTRAK layout took place on Sunday. Digitrax indicated they would be making some additional updates to the code in the radio receivers and throttles based on the findings from this trial.
Recommendations
Despite detailed planning we always learn from setting up and running these huge layouts. There were a great many people involved in the DCC setup.
Perhaps the most important lesson is to pay attention to details:
* Use only 6-wire telephone cable for LocoNet - no Ethernet or serial cables
* Make sure power supplies are the correct voltage - 9V into a UR91 does not work
* Make sure LocoNet is connected to the proper port - a booster plugged into the front or side panel of a UP5 does not work
* Make sure LocoNet plugs are crimped to the cable sheath, not just the 6 wires
* Make sure Command Stations used as Boosters are configured as Boosters, and that the switches are set correctly - "N" and "Run"
The following more significant changes will be implemented. These are:
* Centralize the LNRPs on a panel at the Command Station rather than locating them around the spine of the layout. This would allow a single power supply of sufficient capacity to power all the LNRPs, and would provide for easy viewing of the trouble LEDs on the LNRPs.
* Mount a tall pole at the Command Station with a lamp on the top that can be seen from anywhere around the layout. This lamp would be connected to the Rail A and B terminals of the Command Station and would be lighted whenever track power is on. Thus anyone experiencing a locomotive stop could glance at this pole and determine whether it is their locomotive, throttle or area of track that is the problem, or whether track power is off everywhere. (Note: the Command Station for our large NTRAK layouts is purely a Command Station; its Booster does not power any tracks.)
* Install and test DCC in each loop as if it were an independent loop with its own Command Station. Once complete and tested and any problems resolved then incorporate that loop into the main DCC system. This would have saved at least 3-4 hours of setup time, and is highly recommended.
Summary
Derby City Express was a great success although a lot of work was involved. In retrospect it could have been possible for the Red Line Route to be operational late Friday had we known earlier about the LNRP voltage issue, and had we used more independent testing of the various loops with their own Command Station.
Those who ran the Red Line Route were very pleased with the experience. Some ran it more than once.
Regards, John Wallis, Digital Master, Derby City Express
The Brain Box is what we call our power supply. It is was designed entirely by the electronic wizards of
Tucson Ntrak. The box makes our Ntrak setups run a whole lot more efficiently by isolating each track of the
layout, making troubleshooting easier. The box is designed for Digitrax DCC operations. It holds
4 Digitrax boosters with a separate power supply for each booster. The boosters are models DCS 100,
DB 150, DB100a, DB100+. Since there are 4 tracks on a Ntrak standard
module (this includes a mountain line); each track has its own booster. So if one main line has a short, the other
three won't be affected. The box also has a built in programming rail, which can be hooked up to
a computer for on site decoder programming. During Ntrak events, most of the operating is done over
radio throttles (tether less operation). The circular tower that it poking out of the box houses
4 Digitrax radio receivers, also good for infrared as well. The giant antenna tower is visible anywhere
on the layout, giving optimum reception.
On the back side of the box are the output connectors for each booster, labeled by color. The color
corresponds to each main line which is designated by Ntrak standard. Each booster has 4 outputs, enough to
run booster lines to 4 different areas of a layout. They are connected by the Ntrak Standard Jones 2-pin Connector.
From there each module has power 'drops' which can be connected to the power supply, and then run through the
Ntrak layout. This allows the power to flow without relying on the track connections.
It has been a real treat having the Brain Box run our shows, it take one man to set up and minimal time to
have a whole layout running in no time. At the NSC San Diego Ntrak Convention, we used our brain box to
run a whole loop (or division). We were the only division to have DCC on all 4 lines, Digitrax also
gave our box an A+.
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booster power supplies on bottom 
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Kato Expander Track in Ntrak
Tucson Ntrak has always been in a continual pursuit of Ntrak innovation. With every passing show we have found ways to make modular Ntrak set ups better and faster to set up. Our newest innovation masterpiece has involved the joiner track between modules. These joiner tracks have been the biggest flaw in Ntrak modules ever since they have been around. Joiner track the conventional way are lousy, time consuming and only work good if the same modules are together all the time.
We have had great experiences with using the Kato Uni-track for modules. Our 20 foot yard is made entirely of Kato track. Kato switch points make solid connections and they are really painless to run trains through. So why not make the rest of Ntrak Katoized?
Using the Kato (Kato stock #'s used)
20-050 78mm - 108mm (3" - 4 1/4") Expansion Track [1 pc] Roughly $5.00
Sometimes combined with the
20-091 29mm (1 1/8") Straight Track [4 pcs] Roughly
$4.00
And finally adding uni-joiners to all sides
24-815 UniJoiner [20 pcs] Roughly
$5.25
To start off, the cork on a standard Ntrak module will need to be cut off at the edges. Depending on the height of the existing track, the module ends may need to be chiseled down a sliver so that way the taller uni-track can fit in flush. Your existing cork will need to be cut back and removed beyond and underneath the existing track. This will allow the Kato track to slip underneath and join into the regular Peco or Atlas.
Once this has been done on each side, then you can drop in the expander track. The expander track may need to be coupled to a Kato short track piece like the 1 1/8 inch section so it can fill the gap better. Once all that is done, you can place the expander track in the gap, stretch it out and that's it, all done.
This system works very fast once you modify your module. Since the track expands, it is good for any sized gap. This system is very expensive; given each expander is about $5.50 at a good hobby or online store. Considering you need about 6 expanders or 8 expanders (if it has Mountain line) it is a bit pricey at about $30 a module. But the benefit out weights the price given that you can finish setting up a substantial layout in about half the time and with less back pain.
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