Greetings again everyone, Before I launch a third round of questions, I'll express my sincere thanks to all who responded to my previous queries. I was thunderstruck with the quality and quantity of advice it is very much appreciated.
I expect to complete my layout infrastructural carpentry (two tables, each is 2.0 x 4.0 meters) in a T-configuration.The leg of the T runs East-West, and the head of the T runs North-South but on the Western (left) side of the layout. The Eastern table therefore is the leg,it runs left-right relative to the operator(s) and is oriented slightly high-of-center. I'll post the schematic if anyone's interested (I am not sure how to do so). I've been long-distance layout brainstorming with Des Browne of Belfast Caboose. Actually it's his brain and I contribute just a few stormy ideas. Belfast Caboose is of course in Northern Ireland. Aside from me, no one in Switzerland seems to have interest in S-scale. Other than DCC components and systems, and of course basic scenery, it looks like I'll be sourcing everything internationally. (note: I've noticed some members bemoaning the lack of S-scale supply trust me, it could be worse!) Today I have just a few queries: I am inclined to do the track layout (on plywood tables, with foam underlay) essentially all at once.I'd start scenery only after I am sure everything runs properly. Reason: should I need technical assistance I expect I'll need to call on my local Swiss shop fairly soon after the DCC purchases, I probably cannot expect too much tutoring many months later. My questions address magnetic coupling and signaling: magnetic coupling 1. I will have a variety of spurs and a freight yard, of course (which in real-life at the Swiss Railway we call Rangier Bahnhöfe'). Does it make sense to install the magnetic decoupling plates' (or whatever one calls them) immediately? 2. How are these magnetic plates' powered? Is the selection also DCC? 3. Are they mounted under-track or between the rails? 4. Does one ballast over them? signaling I am intrigued about line side signaling. This is the single most important aspect of 1:1 scale modeling,here in Switzerland we've deployed a system called ETCS. Not sure what you folks in the States use. Even with ETCS we've had accidents from time-to-time,but it's no doubt saved countless lives. We transport more than 800,000passengers per day, and some congested stations have trains arriving on platforms every 3-4 minutes. That's roughly 10% of the country (not a typographical error) which makes at least one trip by train per workday. In Zürich an estimated 60% of the workforce commutes by rail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Train_Control_System <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Train_Control_System> 1. Will DCC allow my to automatically zone' areas? What I mean by that, can an occupied' spur, siding or track length be illuminated? I presume it would be red' so subsequent trains do not proceed. 2. Of course I'd use S-scale signals and US-transition era bulb configuration: I presume these are era-specific? 3. Are there suppliers of such signals in S-scale? Can anyone suggest a weblink? Lastly, I'll end with an apology for my ignorance. I am probably using wildly incorrect terms. I do so because I am translating the French and German terms, which are our daily business languages, into English. In Switzerland we have four official languages (Italian and Rheto-Romanian are third and fourth; neither of them do I speak). I've tried to do a bit of research on the internet, but the amount of information is overwhelming, often(to me) unclear, and occasionally contradictory. Thanks to all for your infinite patience and Best Regards from Hombrechtikon, Switzerland! John M Walker [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
