By Jeff Moorman

Next Clinic:

The next Seattle-North clinic is Thursday, November 3. I should have posted this notice earlier, but I have had some trouble finalizing an agenda. At a minimum we’ll get an update on the Pacific Science Center Show for 2017, do another installment in our fallen flag series, and discuss some things to consider if we are offered the chance to acquire someone else’s model railroad.

Last Clinic:

We viewed a short, but very interesting, time lapse video of BNSF installing a movable-point diamond crossover – text from the video web page: “BNSF trains operating through a crossover at the Columbia River Bridge between the Fallbridge and Seattle subdivisions used to be limited to no more than 10 mph. However, the recent installation of a rare ‘movable-point diamond’ has allowed for higher efficiency through this stretch of track near the Amtrak Station in Vancouver.” We also saw a video on making control panels out of Plexiglass with a raised track plan made of styrene strips. The result was both different and elegant. Then we talked about things to consider when planning/designing a model railroad control panel. Here are the highlights of that discussion:

  • Almost no matter what you are thinking, it has probably been done before, so do some research (online, in the literature, and by visiting working layouts).
  • There seem to be 2 basic approaches, both of which have lots of online references:
    • Solid color background; diagram in tape; overspray with basic color
    • Draw panel with computer graphics and sandwich the printout between clear plastic sheets
  • Consider the potential user. If it is just you, then obscure abbreviations and odd graphics might work. But if others need to use the panel, it is best to follow the KISS principle.
  • If possible, try some mock-ups before committing to a design.
  • Will there be 1 panel or many? If the latter, will then be split by function, or location, or both, or something else?
  • Consider other things the operator will be doing when using the control panel.
  • It usually pays to eliminate protrusions – to prevent snagging by people nearby.
  • Use “standard” conventions (up = on; more = clockwise; green = go/yes; etc.). Note that these are not the same all over the world. Have an overall plan for your controls and keep the keep design concepts consistent.
  • The panel needs to be legible and understandable under varying lighting/crowding/viewing angles.
  • Does the panel contribute to the overall ambiance of the layout?
  • How are you going to install, maintain, change, and/or update the panel as technology and your railroad evolve?

Directions: We meet at the Ronald United Methodist Church, 17839 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA. That is on the west side of Aurora (State Route 99) between 175th and 185th Streets and more specifically, between the Cadillac dealer on the south and Deseret Industries to the north. Going southbound on Aurora, make a right-hand turn into the church driveway immediately after passing the Deseret location. The parking lot is at the rear of the church. From the lot go up the steps to the main entrance. Once inside, the room where we meet is on your left.

Additional clinic information (including maps) can be viewed by clicking here.

Meetings are the first Thursday of each month, usually September to May. In June we often do something different, so there is no “regular” meeting. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the program will start at 7:30.

Remember the next regular evening meeting is November 3, 2016. The next clinic after that will be December 1. Hope to see you there or at least sometime on down the line.