ordo ab chao- out of chaos, comes order, part 2..

I've been using my vacation time doing a lot of things I meant to get done around the layout room and haven't.  One of the most important things that I've put off for way to long was to rearrange the layout room/family room to make it easier to work down there more comfortably and to get it back to functioning as a family space.

 Before:

Old location of my desk/workbench.

My stepson Nick's desk, boxed in by couches, boxes, and various other brick-a-brac.

After:

Sofas and easy chair relocated to a more useful location.  Nick's desk now occupies my desk's old location.  The Large TV will be replaced by a wall mounted flat screen.  Anyone need a TV?

My workbench now is located nearer to the layout.  The computer that will control the JMRI system and WiFi throttles is now where it needs to be.

Since rearranging the space, I've found it so much more comfortable to spend time there and this has meant working on the layout is so much more enjoyable.  I wish I would have done this sooner. 

You may delay, but time will not. Benjamin Franklin

It's been awhile since I wrote a "real" post.  Aside from my yearly Christmas joke post it's been over a month.  Not that I haven't been working on the layout.  I've actually gotten a bunch of things accomplished and will be writing a few blog posts over the next week or two covering them all.

Christmas Eve, one of my presents to myself arrived via USPS priority mail:  GML Enterprises (Model Railroad Electronic Controls) Fast Clock System. 

http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/id19.html 

From the website: "This system design is for one (1) clock controller unit (Model #FC-6) and up to eight (8) remote analog clock units (Model #CLK-x). This CONTROLLER/REMOTE approach allows the installation of the controller in your dispatch panel and placement of a minimum of 2 and up to 8 remote units anywhere on your layout."

My friend Ted Pamperin Has used this system for awhile on his C&O layout so I know it works well.

I chose the 2:1 through 6:1 time ratios when I had this unit built.  The slow pace of operations on my layout will mean I'll probably be operating between 2:1 and 4:1.

All in all the whole system cost me $176 (controller, 2 clocks, optional time ratios).  I think that's a good price for a well built system.  Hopefully I'll get it installed this week while I'm off for Christmas break.

Prologue:

After publishing this post I went down to the basement and decided on trying to install the fast clock.  1 1/2 hours later it was done!  

One clock installed in the layout area.

Control unit installed and working.

I decided to install the control unit in the main layout area.

The second clock is installed inside the helix where it's everybody's favorite place to be a dispatcher.  OK, maybe it's not, but the clock can be easily moved if I move the dispatcher to another location.

The installation couldn't have been any easier and the system works great!  I'm very pleased. :)



 

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Merry Christmas

Everyone!

"I knew I shouldn't have let Craig wire my DCC system for me."