NTS & B First 3 of 5 power stations complete

The first 3 power station shelves are completed. Instead of having 1 huge central control panel, I decided to have a distributed power design. Each power station will house all of the transformers to control 1 or 2 levels, and will be positioned close to the tracks and accessories they will control.

The station on the left will control the Subway level. The only additional switches required so far control the station stop, and are fastened to the power distribution box directly above the transformer.

The center station will control the Winter and Helix levels. Switches for the overhead level power and switch tracks will be located on the underside of the bridge directly above this station. The location of the controls for the winter level switches and accessories is yet to be determined, but will be probably on the front of the subway bench work directly over the station.

The station on the right will control the mainline tracks, yard, and switches. The yard power switches are located on the mainline layer directly over the power station. Also housed in the mainline station is the Train Master Command Control (TMCC) module, and the Train Power Control (TPC) module. The TMCC module sends digital commands for remote control to engines that are equipped with the TMCC receives. The TPC controls the track power for 1 track, and can be used to remotely control older 'conventional' locomotives. The output of this TPC will go to a power distribution module in each power station. The module will have switches to select the TPC or local transformer control. This will allow the remote controlled voltage to be switched to any track, to make troubleshooting problems easier at remote locations.

There will eventually be 2 more stations located at the other end of the layout, one on each side of the isle. These will be located close to the operating accessories in these areas.