The Layout started as a DC only venture but I quickly
added DCC Via the means of a Digitrax DCS50/Zephyr
and set both power sources up on a DPDT switch
A second DPDT switch was added to route power to chose between the power pack and a DC pulse hand throttle
I chose to retain the DC power supply as i still have
a number of older locos that are DC
I have 3 UT-4 hand throttles using infra-red panels spaced around the layout
I also use a "Power Pax" for a booster when programing locos on the programming track which is located inside the engine house
I use a lap top on a roll-away shelf to program my locos Via JMRI's Decoder Pro
Operations
I have 2 ways to operate
1) "CAR CARDS" which are held by tape cassett lids they are a premade cheap card holder just screw them onto the fascia
2) A hand written "Operations Scenario"
which is shown below
Operations Scenario
8:00 3-car Passenger train E-8 {4025} or Mountain {544} leaves Thurmond Depot via the westbound main and proceeds to Mt Hope
8:05 Two car local {702} leaves Thurmond Depot and proceeds up the Loup Creek Branch to Mt Hope
8:08 3-car Passenger train E-8 {4025} or Mountain {544} leaves Mt Hope and Proceeds to Glenn Jean
8:10 Extra T-1 {3004} Leaves Thurmond Via the westbound Main
After picking up Caboose and crew at Thurmond Depot
8:11 Passenger train E-8 {4025} or Mountain {544} leaves Glenn Jean and returns to Thurmond via the Loup Creek Branch
and occupies the west bound main across from the Thurmond Depot
8:15 Extra T-1 {3004} arrives at Mt Hope with loaded hoppers and cuts off 3 hoppers and caboose then pulls forward to clear the grade crossing
{360} Picks up the 3 hopper cars and pushes them into the power plant
{3004} Backs up and uncouples 4 more hopper cars then again pulls forward to clear the grade crossing
{360} Pushes these 4 hopper cars into the power plant
{3004} Backs up and uncouples the final 3 hopper cars
{360} Pushes these 3 hopper cars into the power plant
Then attaches the caboose to {3004}
8:45{3004} Caboose hops back to Thurmond via the Loup Creek
branch line
