Time for Digital Command Control

Well, it is now time for Digital Command Control (DCC). After months of reading and asking for expert advice, I chose the DigiTrax Zephyr starter system. This system includes the DCC command station, the power booster, a smooth throttle and a 2.5 amp power supply all in one package. The only thing else that is required are DCC mobile decoders in each locomotive.

I went to my new friends at The Freight Yard in Phoenix to purchase this system, as well as the first batch of decoders. Their price was excellent, and having technical support from the LHS (local hobby shop) is really hard to beat.

I also settled on the JMRI suite of software products (DecoderPro & PanelPro) to manage the decoder programming and layout control requirements. This is a suite of Java applications that will run on Mac OS, Windows or Linux, making it very versatile as well as FREE. How can you beat that?

My first project was wiring the layout for DCC and installing the decoders. Both of these tasks went really smoothly and I was running trains under DCC in no time. Next, I deployed DecoderPro to make some configuration adjustments to the decoders. The main task was to speed match the locomotives that usually run together (A/B or A/B/A consist) and lash them together electronically in a multi-unit configuration. Again, this went rather well for my first effort, but still has a ways to go before I am completely satisfied.

So, I have opened another chapter in this great new hobby, and challenged my old brain with another set of tasks. Thanks to all those who gave me advice and counselling.

Running Trains

Here is a short video of several of the trains on the full layout ...

Enjoy ... I will post more video after I add another train.

Winslow Yard

Each day that passes sees a little more detail work on the layout. Here is a view looking Southeast into the Winslow freight switching yard.

The Mikado 2-8-2 steam engine sits on a siding awaiting a train assignment while the yard crew enjoys some time in the watch tower. From this tower they can observe all the activity in the yard and help keep things organized.

In the middle right of the picture you can see the rear of the first downtown Flagstaff building. I decided to add a few structures across the street from the Flagstaff depot that would represent old town Flagstaff. As you can see from this angle, on a 3x5 layout, Flagstaff and Winslow are really close toghter. In fact, they back up to one another ... after all, it is good to stretch our imagination. More later ...

Running Trains

Now that the layout is almost finished, I have turned my attention to completing and running the trains.

Here is a team of Alco PA/PB/PA diesels pulling the full 12 car consist for the Super Chief passenger train through the Rocky mountains. This was the configuration most often used for the trip from Kansas City to Los Angeles in the very early 1950s.

The cars were usually run in the following order: Baggage, Railway Post Office (RPO), Sleeper, Sleeper, Dome, Diner, Lounge, Sleeper, Sleeper, Sleeper, Sleeper, Observation.

Flagstaff Depot

Every few days I get a little more landscaping completed and add a little more detail to the scenes.

Here is a shot of the Flagstaff Depot facing north. You can just see the Santa Fe Super Chief passenger train pulling into the station to pick up a few additional cars for the run to Los Angeles.

In the distance are the San Francisco Peaks. This is a prototype of the distant scenery backdrop I will place on three sides of the layout.

Santa Fe Mountain

The mountain is 95% complete, with only a few small touch ups required. If you look closely, you can see the Super Chief's observation car as it disappears into the tunnel.

I find that the landscaping is a little tedious, and very difficult to plan. So far, I am just planting bushes and ground cover in a scattered, not-really-in-a-pattern way, that actually looks pretty natural. After all, real life is certainly more hap hazard than neat little rows.

I purchased the first of the pine tree forest and selected the "Realistic Trees" product line from Woodland Scenics. These trees are the smallest (2 1/2" to 4" tall) and seem to be just right for the N scale layout. Next I will add the remaining trees both on the mountain and in Flagstaff. Winslow is pretty barren, with no Ponderosa pine.

Waterfall Done and Track Ballast Begins

Well, the layout is really starting to take shape. I finished the waterfall and river, along with some preliminary landscaping.

Parker helped me "plant" the bushes in the foreground just below the mainline track.

I also have completed some of the track ballast application. The main yard by the passenger station is completed, as well as the mainline track under the foot of the mountain.

I am now researching the best way to create the scenic backdrop which will run along two sides of the layout to simulate the distant visuals on the horizon. The most common way to do this is to just paint a scene on the backdrop. My fear, however, is that my lack of painting talent may ruin the look of my modeling. If my sister were here, she could do a terrific job.