This page is an account of the various 'working' parts of the layout as they are put in place.

CONTROL PANEL

The oddly shaped panel is so designed that it can be used on both sides of the layout without having to 'read' one position in inverted mode. The push buttons are for the electro magnets ( see magnets page ), the turnouts use DPDT switches at each point. One side of the DPDT is for TOU operation, the other for the frog polarity. Electric feed to the panel is by an ex-aircraft muitl-plug from a ground positioned transformer box. SCART cables and plugs transfer to the layout

CASSETTE STORAGE SIDINGS.

Federal Street is a suitable layout for the use of individual Cassette-Type storage units because each one will be in place all the time switching is being carried out and not constantly slid in and out as seen on certain layouts where the action is quicker. BUT SEE EVALUATION ON NEXT PAGE

This type of cassette uses aluminium angle glued to 4ft lengths of plastiglaze ( both obtainable from large B & Q stores in the U.K. BTW ). Each unit slides under wooden blocks which hold it in place laterally. Electrical feed to each aluminium angle is via steel rods which are springy enough to make firm contact.

TURNOUT OPERATING UNITS

The TOUs are by Scale Shops obtainable singly or in 6 or 12 packs from Walthers etc. or direct from Scale Shops, 713 Vista Way, Prescott, Az 86303, USA. E-mail Bruce Stuhl at: brucesx@northlink.com or Tel: 520 776 4449. I use my own method of driving the tie-bars via 0.9mm brass rods incorporating a 'Z' bend. A hole is drilled for the rod in the act block ( that's the owl-like moulding with its two 'eyes and ears' ) and a stop is soldered each side to allow free movement as the motor does its stuff. You can order extra contacts, too. Each rod travels in a trench cut out of the cork underlay. For access I prefer any TOUs to be above baseboards if at all possible. Allowance is made for this at the design stage

Closer-up view of the TOUs. These will be hidden behind the various buildings and structures on the layout, of course.

VIEW THE NEW TURNTABLE STORAGE YARD