This blog is to document the building of a model railroad, the Paducah and Lake Erie. The free-lance design is set in the current time, and meant to replicate the coal-hauling roads of southwestern Pennsylvania. This version of the P&LE is a bridge line that derives its name from my wife's home town (and well known to Illinois Central buffs) and our former long time residence about 50 miles south of Lake Erie.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Digitrax Electronics Nearly Finished


The Digitrax electronics are nearing complete installation. Those working with Digitrax will recognize the device pictured here as the PM 42, an auto-reversing circuit board. This circuit board allows for up to four reversing loops, which will handle the loops on the P&LE. Note the labels on the left side of the board, designating the reversing loops: "Heyl" is Heyl Junction, an interlocking on the lower level, "Yard" is a "wye" track into a storage yard, and "Mine" is a double crossover coming out of the helix on the upper level. The fourth reversing loop will be the turntable at the engine facility when installed. The main line leads are in. Next comes the four-track classification Attica Yard on the lower level, and hooking up the Tortoise turnout motors to DPDT switches.