Hogan
Junction - Controls
Controls for the Hogan Junction are pretty simple: there are two power
packs connected together by a common ground, so accessories can receive
full power while the trains get the variable (speed control) power. The
main power pack is an MTH Z-500, while the other pack is a 25-year old
Tyco pack from an HO set, with only the AC feeds connected.
The layout is divided into 4 control blocks, powered on/off by the
silver toggle switches. Four remote control turnouts are controlled by
the four brown switches, and 3 uncouplers are wired to the same
push button controller.
Communications
Model railroading is not just a hobby - it's a life-skills learning
opportunity. On the real railroads, communication is a very important
tool that crews must use to ensure safety and performance. Therefore I
INTENTIONALLY put the controls for the engineer on one side of the
layout, and the controls for the brakeman on the far side.
In this manner, the layout can be run and enjoyed by one person... but
if you want to OPERATE the layout, you NEED to have two people working
together. The turnouts are all labeled front and back, and the engineer
has to tell the brakeman which turnouts to throw, and when to uncouple.
When used by two people, it forces them to both pay attention to the
train and the tracks, and to their own actions - eavesdropping on some
of the 12 year-old operators indicates that this actually works! Next
installment - final photos.
Project Date: 1-3-04, approximately 9:00AM
to 1:00PM |
End of Side A - Brakeman's controls
|
