Prototype 1

The first prototype is completed. I can't place my finger on it, but there's something not quite right with this design even with the additional beams. So it's on to the next prototype.

Prototype of platform roof structure

It's a little premature, but I thought I'd show the roof/ceiling prototype that I've been working on for the platform area. Most of the time has been spent trying to design something that I could live with. The actual construction of the prototype took me two nights to complete. The roof is suppose to resemble a glass ceiling to allow natural light onto the platforms. This design makes it simple to build the structure and it allows people to see through the roof structure where the passenger trains are parked in the station. I might include additional cross sectional support beams connected to the main longitudinal tubular beam that runs along the entire length of the platform. Seeing it now, the prototype needs a bit more architectural detail.

It took me quite a bit of time to come up with a method to assemble and dismantle the structure. As you can see in the first photograph, I glued a small diameter, short tube on the posts. This is going to act as an insert that slides into the main tubular beam to hold up the roof structure. This makes it easy to put together and take apart. I'm quite proud of the design. I'm uncertain about the look and feel of the roof structure though. I need to build a few more sections to see how they look interconnected. I'm happy I was able to introduce some curvilinear lines in my station/platform module. My biggest fear is that this current design might look like "Buck Roger's in the 25th century".

Kato 3-way extension cord

My kato 3-way extension cords came in today. They worked perfectly, though I did discover that one of the controllers was acting up. The turn-out fails to change direction when the switch on the controller is flipped too quickly. Fortunately, I had a couple of extra controllers and replaced the flaky one. Now I have twelve fully functional controllers working in conjunction with all eighteen turn-outs. I'll post a video of a locomotive operating across each turnout once I get the four main lines connected to the rotary switch / power supply. I'm really happy with how the 3-way extension cords worked out. It saves me from having to manage six additional turnouts.

Tamiya mini connectors

I came up with a design for the platform roof structure and needed some styrene to build a prototype to help better visualize how it would look. While I was at the hobby store picking up more plastic, it occurred to me that the Tamiya radio controlled cars use similar connectors as Kato, only they are a little larger. It so happens there is a miniature version of that same connector distributed by a company called MPI Maxx. They're a perfect match with the Kato connectors. The biggest complaint I have about Kato is that their extension cords are only 35" in length, which is much too short for long layouts. They retail for $3.80, which is a little expensive if you need to string multiple cables together. Now I can wire up my own cables! The connectors were only $2 each.