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Doug's CStPM&O  in Chippewa County

OWNER: Doug Stoll
LAYOUT TYPE: Walk in, a round the wall, double end loops, Two level with incline
RAIL CODE: 215 on lower and upper levels (high rail)
POWERED BY: 200 watt AC (Twin 8B's) rectified to DC

I (Doug Stoll) am currently working on a layout depicting the Chicago St Paul Minneapolis and Omaha branch line in Wisconsin. Because there is no basement in the house and no room with "train" in the name, a typical basement style S-Gauge layout just was not feasible.  Sights were set on the garage but based in Wisconsin consideration for the seasons had to be made. 

The "Train Room" had to be insulated, climate controlled, and wired with the thoughts of the layout and the visitors as we get older. Long runs are intended as well as planning short line activity into the layout. With eight grandkids there are considerations to be made in durability, interaction, and cost. Being frugal, S scale on eBay seemed to fit the bill. Lots of accessories in many grades of condition were available included cars for under 20 bucks and locos for under 50 dollars that can survive a drop or two on the floor. Most purchased appeared to have done so at least once.

Starting in the old "workshop" of the 27' x 54' pole shed, the first phase can be completed consisting of basically three 9'x9' sections. The future plan is to expand into the rear of the shed with walls and floor allowing up to 2 additional sections of 9'x9' to be added to the layout which would add 90 feet to the mainline. All articles that have been read tells us not to take on too much at first and construction screws allows the room expansion possible.

Looking at layouts of others, it is understood that a lot of action in a very small place looks congested and a farm in town does not look real. To have a staging yard for the beginning would be nice and I would have to allow multi person operations. Accessible with a wheelchair or personal scooter would be a plus which led me to some conditions in design. It also would be nice to avoid a duck under if at all possible.

A feel for the layout needed to happen for the design to congeal. A temporary layout was constructed with 4x8 tables were left over from a rummage sale and some module sections left from the modular Christmas village layout. After running trains with grandkids for about a year and realizing that they love physically handling everything, it was decided on a two level system with the more precise scale while creating the challenge of not picking up equipment. Turnouts needed to be custom and in some cases automatic to prevent derailment. The rail needed a radius or two that did not exist in the market. The frugal part of Doug is currently removing the metal ties from AF rails and hand laying the soldered rail segments into 6 foot sections to remove some of the "tin plate" from the Gilbert based layout. After wood ties are secured in a scale fashion, it remains an option to exchange the tin plate rail with code .125 nickel silver rail. A unique blend of electronics are also required and are being created and tested. 

It is possible to modify an AF switch to be changed using a hidden servo or switch machine hidden under the modified bakelite base. By removing the cast switch housing, I could place them in a row connected together for a tighter yard. It appears to be possible to achieve a 3 inch center spacing on rails in a staging yard with a few modifications. Manual micro toggle switch modules can be built to control the servos.

Being an enthusiast of RC Planes as well leads me down the path of 2.4 ghz radio control primarily used for G-scale garden railroads. I had servos, receivers, and wiring accessories remaining from the planes that I own, so the systems could remain similar. I have created a combination of airplane hardware combined with Lithium Ion batteries that are controlled by my RC airplane transmitter. Using 2.4 ghz radio control, the locos and accessories can be controlled using the hand held wireless controller without breaking a budget. Spectrum DSM2 technology drives most of the systems and there are modules available that can be added into some loco wiring harnesses allowing sound, light, and optional smoke boards. Motive power can be created for the Omaha from stock AF locos as well as rolling stock.

As the items are created, they will be added to the Hints and Tips page of the BSG web. Feel free to check things out!

Below are pictures of the progress. We will keep you posted as the layout and creations progress.

Photos by Doug Stoll

View of layout with the toys on rails, strings and racks	Train room layout using 1 foot grid. Incline runs from 'upper E' to 'Lower A'	Picture reflects incline at same grade as AF trestles	Trial of operation on West wall reflected need for 4.5 foot return loop which allows roundhouse & RIP track
Staging Yard currently until switch modifications can be completed	Log drop and saw mill for planks	Scrap yard and Fuel storage	Section 'A' Farm scene on upper with cattle loader and and hay/milk loader
Log loader, barrel loader  and Mail drop. Transmitter shown in middle	Passenger service with Billy, baggage loader, and passenger loader	Loco service leaving roundhouse  and switch shanty