NEONS LAYOUT
OPERATING INFORMATION
Updated 7/20/2011
1. Sign up for a running time, run trains and HAVE FUN!
2. Normal operating protocol is counter-clockwise on the
Red and Blue lines and clockwise on the Yellow line. However, these are just guidelines for Yellow
and Blue. You may run on these lines in
any direction you desire.
3. Have your train made up on the appropriate setup track
and be ready to pull out when your scheduled time begins. Let the engineer that is currently running on
that line know when you are ready to depart so he/she can pull into the yard. Dirty locomotive wheels will affect the
running of your train. Be sure your
engine’s wheels are clean before you pull out onto the layout.
4. Be prepared to pull into the appropriate arrival yard
when your scheduled time ends. If the
engineer for the next time slot is not ready, continue to run on your line if
you are able until he/she is ready to come out.
5. Do not leave you train unattended. If you have to make a pit stop, have someone
watch your train for you until you return.
6. While running, pull any car that has repeated
problems.
7. If running DCC, be sure your engines are programmed
with one of your assigned numbers. The
Master Control Station also functions as a programming track. BE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING IF YOU
USE THE PROGRAMMING TRACK. HITTING THE
WRONG BUTTONS CAN CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS!
8. When running the
9. Check carefully for trains on the track before opening
the Gateway. Don’t count on the flashing
lights because they might not be working.
The Gateway rule is the same as the bathroom rule for married
men….. PUT THE LID DOWN WHEN YOU’RE
THROUGH! Do not leave the gate in the up
position without latching the gate hook.
Do not leave it up when trains are running. When lowering the gate, check to be sure the
tracks are aligned. If they a not,
slightly raise the lid and re-close it firmly.
If necessary, tug or bump the lid to get it aligned.
10. Keep the infield clean. Throw away cups, cans, water bottles, etc
when you are through with them. Stow
your trains under the modules. Do not
leave them on the set-up tables when you are not running trains. Others will need that space.
11. If you get tools, supplies, equipment, etc out of the
supply cabinet or blue cabinet, return them when you are through with them.
12. Return Aristo-Craft throttles to the throttle box in
the Supply Cabinet when you are through with them.
13. BE FRIENDLY.
TALK TO PATRONS OF THE SHOW AND PROMOTE THE HOBBY OF MODEL
RAILROADING. ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS IF
YOU CAN OR DIRECT THEM TO ANOTHER MEMBER WHO MIGHT HAVE THE ANSWER IF YOU DON’T.
14. If you have a problem that is affecting your enjoyment
of the show, talk to Fearless Leader to see if the problem can be addressed and
resolved. If your problem is with
Fearless Leader, you are SOL.
15. See the next page for Start-up and Shut-down
procedures.
Daily
Start-up and Shut-down Procedure
I.
NEONS stand alone
layout.
A. Start-up.
1.
Be sure all four
power supplies are turned off at the green switch on the front of each unit.
2.
Plug in main power
cord to the facility power source.
3.
Turn on the power
supply to the Master Control Box. Then
turn on the other three power supplies.
Make sure the right hand toggle switch on all Digitrax boxes are set to
the top (Run) position and the left hand toggle switch is set to “N” Scale.
B. Shut-down
1.
Turn off all four
power supplies at the green switch on the front of each unit.
2.
Unplug extension
cord from facility power source.
3.
Police the area
and stow all supplies in the Supply Cabinet or Blue Cabinet.
4.
Close and lock
Supply Cabinet doors.
5.
The last person
out be sure the Gateway lid is down.
II.
Multi-loop layout
operating the
A. Start-up
1.
Be sure all three
power supplies are turned off at the green switch on the front of each unit.
2.
Plug in main
power cord to the facility power source.
3.
Turn on the power
supply to our Master Control Box. Then
turn on the other three power supplies.
Make sure the right hand toggle switch on all Digitrax boxes are set to
the top (Run) position and the left hand toggle switch is set to “N” Scale.
4.
This will
activate Analog running on the Yellow and Blue lines. It will activate DCC only
if the Master Command Station (MCS) is in our loop or if the MCS has already
been turned on.
5.
If the MCS is in
another loop, it must be activated first.
Before it is activated our power must be turned off. Once the MCS it is turned on, then our power
supplies can be turned on again and the DCC system will work.
6.
IF YOU WANT TO
RUN DCC ON OUR
a. Disconnect the loconet cables under the junction
modules that connect the NEONS loop to the rest of the layout.
b. Connect our Master Control Box to the loconet.
c. YOU MUST REVERSE STEPS B AND THEN A ABOVE ONCE THE
LAYOUT MASTER CONTROL STATION IS ACTIVATED.
B. Shut-down
1.
If the show has
not closed for the day, shut-down cannot occur.
a. Notify the Overall Layout Coordinator that he/she
should power down the NEONS loop when the show shuts down for the day.
b. Skip to step #5.
2.
Make sure that no
trains are still running.
3.
Turn off all four
power supplies at the green switch on the front of each unit.
4.
Unplug extension
cord from facility power source.
5.
Police the area
and stow all supplies in the Supply Cabinet or Blue Cabinet
6.
Close and lock
Supply Cabinet doors.
7.
The last person
out be sure the Gateway lid is down.