<p>Since I last wrote about Bohemian Saxony much has happened although to look at the layout you would be hard pressed to know that much had changed.</p>

<p>In the early Autumn the layout was moved lock stock and barrel from the premises where construction had been taking place to my garage. Not so bad as it sounds. By moving, the team building it immediately had more frequent access and virtually all the necessary tools and materials to hand. All factors lacking at the previous location.</p>

<p>Inspection of the layout in the new premises showed several areas where to be frank the quality of the build was not of a sufficient standard. Chief amongst these was the wiring, which having been installed in far from ideal and difficult circumstances was rather untidy and hard to follow.</p>

<p>To cut a long story short, he whole layout has been completely rewired and new temporary switchboards constructed. Common return wiring has been installed with separate returns for the tram lines on the lower level and the HOe system. This should mean that some of the layout remains usable even if a fault develops on another part.</p>

<p>Consideration was given to the way the owner will operate the various lines and more flexibility has been built in. The controls have been split up. Whereas there were two Gaugemaster Model Q 4 track controllers, there is now only one but this is supplemented with a single controller in a remote operating position which will be used for control of two narrow gauge termini when switched in. Additionally, there will be a twin controller for the upper tram lines which will be an alternative to the Heathcote Automatic Block Working. (ABW)</p>

<p>Having proved the ABW on a test installation the only modification we shall make will be to wire small digital voltmeter to the outputs to each control module. We found using a multi-meter the best way to assess performance of the adjustment POTs on each board in test but this is impractical and permanent readouts will be more user friendly.</p>

<p>Turning form the electrics, there have been changes to made to the track layout for the Narrow Gauge to avoid the need for it to regularly cross the main tram running lines. These changes also feature the installation of loops rather than dead end sidings meaning less need to propel the little wagons rather than tow them which we feel will improve security of operation.</p>

<p>The Tillig LUNA track which is being used in the town square was something we were never happy with. However, one of our number is a keen continental HO modeller and spent many happy hours adjusting and relaying this track to great affect. He obviously has more of a feel for the continental elements that the rest of us! And despite my earlier negative views even I have to admit it now looks ‘ok.’</p>

<p>Further work has included, the addition of more alignment bolts using ‘T’ Nuts and several of the cross board rail joins have been re-laid to improve alignment.</p>

<p>The whole things feels a lot ‘tighter’ now.</p>

<p>And its all been documented too!</p>

<p>Here’s a couple of pictures showing improvements.</p>

<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-689" src="https://thersr.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/wp_20160104_14_50_54_pro.jpg?w=700"alt="WP_20160104_14_50_54_Pro" /></p>

<p>A couple of explanations. This board is that with both the main narrow gauge terminus and yards, plus the tram depot. It has 10 points and 14 feeds to sections. The horizontal lines of terminal blocks are where the control panel for the narrow gauge and tram shed will be connected in. The blocks on the left side are for the power feeds from the main transformers for the local switch panel, common return buses and feed jumpers where perhaps a sections crosses the board. The new wiring is not perfect but a whole lot better than it was originally.</p>

<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-688" src="https://thersr.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/wp_20151222_17_39_04_pro.jpg?w=700"alt="WP_20151222_17_39_04_Pro" /></p>

<p>The re-laid LUNA track, it just looks better – the spacers are where the surfacing panels clip into. We have also put a layer of cork floor tiles on this board to eradicate some awkward surface levels which would have complicated paving etc.</p>

<p>With the re-wiring of the lower tram lines and the narrow gauge all but complete we will be able test this and then move onto the ABW installation.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading. Please feel free to ask any questions or make any observations.</p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/thersr.wordpress.com/616/"><imgalt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/thersr.wordpress.com/616/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=thersr.wordpress.com&blog=30226721&post=616&subd=thersr&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

<a href="https://thersr.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/more-on-bohemian-saxony/"class='bbc_url' rel='nofollow external'>Source</a>