KAMRI N-scale Layout DCC Conversion

[McToots]

We're a step closer to being DCC ready with the KAMRI n-scale layout. The Loconet was hooked up during our 5th Sunday gathering in May but someone let the smoke out of the booster during it's 7(?) years of storage. The unit was sent off to Digitrax for servicing.

Our new Digitrax UR-91 radio receiver is now in our posession but no word yet on when to expect the repaired booster. For those not atuned to the DCC setup, the receiver is needed to allow wireless operation with either infra-red or radio throttles. We're planning to assemble a DCC control box contining the booster, power supply, and the UR-91 that will allow use with both the club layout or the (under construction) traveling layout.

Discussions concerning a programming track on the layout have detoured down a side road a bit. A stub track in our yard has been wired for use as a programing track howerver, the HO'ers have the club computer setup with the software to perform detailed decoder programing. All that is needed is another tier that would have a section of n-scale track. Use of the computer will be much easier to tweak our engines but it's always good to have the on layout ability.

We always need options.

I think I'll mail Digitrax some extra smoke to put back in our booster...;)

[McToots]

We have received our repair/updated booster back from Digitrax!

At our 3rd Sunday gathering, our n-scale DCC guru aka Phil Brooks and your truely actually managed to hook up the booster and the new radio receiver on our layout. And... it worked!!!:eek: We were officially running DCC equipped engines in all directions and mainlines. There were no signs of any leaking smoke on any part of the layout or DCC components.

So now we need to start planning. One of the first things I'm suggesting is we need a DCC engine register so we can identify who's engines, that are targeted for running on our layout, are programed to which address code. This register will be kept at the clubhouse for reference so anyone bringing an engine can determine what address is available and can enter that choice in the book. Or they can reprogram to a new number and enter it.

It's a starting point!:D

[McToots]

DUring our July 3rd Sunday gathering we ran totally under DCC control. One member ran his new Athern 4-6-6-4 (with sound) that really sounded cool albeit he forgot the volume control wand to turn the sound down.:) Between that unit and a sound equipped PCM E-7, the room was full of railroading sounds.:D

Looks like we have most of the layout bugs squashed - with one exception. We finally began testing the peninsula part of the layout. This section connects into the main layout via a 'T' module that contains a wye off the #2 and #3 mainlines (N-Trak). These tracks then enter a double return loop. This is the first time we have used DCC in this configuration and found we have issues. We have an auto-reversing circuit on the loop but it seems we goofed in that we have a second reversing area per the wye's on the T module. OOPS!:o

At this time we can't run DCC on the inner loop track without issues. Looks like we will need to modify the wiring and block protection in this area.

What's another train project anyway!