Frank from Z Scale Hobo researched for me and momentary switches should work. I know the turnouts are easily within reach, but this is a challenge of hiding switches and controls in a small layout. And fun too.
Finally gluing down the gas station in the corner. Need to connect the controls so I can run a train.
Got the switches wired to power. Cut the rails and filled the gap with styrene (I know I could of put in insulated rail joiners, but I prefer the cut rail way). I have video of a GP running on the outside and the F-7 on the siding. These are DC engines. The Pepsi machine switch is thrown and the track is isolated. I am using the common rail system so as to run less wiring and DCC won't care. The inside rails are not cut and the Rokuhan switches are not power routing. Power routing would of messed up the DCC power routing. Also put a string with a loop on it to hold the layout up while in the case. DCC plug in panel installed after putting a 90 degree bend in it. Track power from the panel runs over to the track power switch. Center off switch shunts power from DC to DCC side and only one can be on.
Got the DCC side installed and it works nicely with my NCE Power Cab. Voltage gauge works at the push of a button. Lights and more buildings next. Gun Store next.
Working on the gun store. I cut out a hole in front that is the same size as the sign decal. I will glue the decal as is to the "window" glass. That way when I light up the inside of the building, the "sign" will light up too. Already tried it and the paper backing on the decal is thin enough to let light through to give the illusion of a lighted sign. Also was digging in my garage and found a very small aluminum case which held some tools. Removed the tools and the foam pads. Cut one of my jewelry case pads and it fits pretty good. Got some spare foam for inside the lid and to hold the trains in securely. Works pretty good at holding the cars/engines snugly. So when I am carrying the layout, I can pull cars/engines out of the small case.
Started on the scenery. I am going to leave some parts unfinished to show how others can do scenery. Using some blue foam I had left over. Next weekend I will be up in San Luis Obispo for the Central Coast Railroad Festival and will be bringing this layout to show off. Probably going to be at Beda's Beirgarten's Modular Layout thing most of the time. Supposed to have the Guinness World record for the largest collection of Z Scale, category of every car/engine model does not repeat and apparently rare models - probably all Marklin.
Working on the background. Putting in the foam pieces and tearing off pieces instead of cutting. Gives a much more interesting texture. I put a piece of styrene in the back to represent a concrete wall as the back is too close to the tracks and i could not make a realistic slope.
Working on scenery adding real rocks and blending them in with the patch stuff. Made a small hill with a rock on top. Drilled a hole above the door of the depot and gluing in a LED as a door light.
Maybe dry brush an earth color over that. Leave the crevices and recessed areas dark. Looking great so far!
Repainted the Boxcar Red with a flat tan. Much better. Also installed the Depot with its porch light.
Got back to working on the layout again. Painting the sides of the "log cabin" and started the outhouse.
Shorted out one of the Rokuhan switches - worthless now. Ordered another. I know what happened and I will be careful about that situation again. I attached some NCE Switch-Kats and they work nice. Throwing the turnouts with DCC works great. Getting some red/green LEDs and will wire them to the Switch-Kats. Got some more vehicles to put tin the scene. All pre 1955. Not their final spots.
How did you short the turnout? External wiring so that point-to-frog or, exit rail-to-frog? I see the 'burn' on the points plate, under the frog. LED indicator for DCC: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/signaling.htm#sig_turnout
