Allen has been in touch – he’s added a HO scale power plant to his layout:

“My name is Allen, I am 49 years old and a pipeline controller by trade.

This is my 7th layout but I have gone the farthest toward completion on this layout versus all the previous ones.

I started building the Kansas & Western HO Scale Model Railroad in August of 2023 and am very nearly finished laying all track.

The particulars regarding the layout can be found on my descriptions on all of my construction update videos.

I started tracking my construction progress on my Youtube channel when construction began, and I provide construction updates every two weeks, usually on Fridays.

About a year ago, I started rewarding my viewers with the option to vote on what they would like to see me focus my attention on for the next two week work period.

The Monday after my construction updates, I provide the results of the poll that is conducted and I share my work plan for carrying out the wishes of my viewers.

So, for the last year, my viewers have been directing the course of the construction of my layout which has been very interesting and fun for me, as well as my viewers.

Besides construction updates, I also provide bi-weekly operations videos, product reviews, and “How I Do Stuff” features.

Allen”

A big thanks to Allen for sharing his HO scale power plant pics – I really enjoyed his youtube too.

Now on to Terry who has a question, can anyone help:

“Hi Al—I need HELP!!!!

I have 2 tracks, a mainline (DCC) & spur (DC) that cross–each with it’s own power supply.

I want to put a light sensor on a section of the main line so that when a train passes through it, the power to the spur is turned off. Power comes back on when the mainline train has cleared the section.

How would I wire the light sensor to do that?

Do I need a relay switch or can it be done directly without a relay?

I’m hoping one of your members could sketch out a circuit for me to show how it would be wired.

…………\X\
===O===\ \=====O====Mainline
……………..\ \ Spur)

When train passes “0” power to spur “X’ is cut off. X power is resumed after train passes second “O”

I’m assuming the mainline sensors could be wired in a three way switch pattern so one activates both of them at the same time.

Thanks to you & your readers in advance.

Terry
Idaho/ USA”

Please do leave a comment below for Allen or Terry.

That’s all for this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.