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…................--- Track Elevator Control Panel ---

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The layout has a lower and upper level with 10 1/4" between the levels.

There is a track elevator that can take a 12 foot N scale train between the two levels in under 10 seconds. I decided on this approach over a helix mainly for the length of time it takes a train to go from one level to the other. It also uses a lot less track so savings there but with the cost of the materials and the $7 winch the cost is probably a wash.

A 12 foot long train will probably let me take a 20-25 coal train with 3 engines between the lower and upper level and back down again. There will be run-around tracks at the upper and lower levels so that trains can run continuously on either level. Using a DCC-EX command station I'll be able to run DCC or DC trains on either level or on the elevator.

For a demo on how the elevator works click ( HERE ). You can find more info on building the elevator ( HERE ) and ( HERE ).

When the elevator is down it is connect to DCC-EX district H (8 districts A-H)..

When the elevator is up it is connect to DCC-EX district E (8 districts A-H).

The bottom and top were designed with the 'free' version of Fusion by modifying an other case that had already been done.

Using solder pads makes things pretty easy when it comes to soldering a lot of connections in a small space. Not sure how one would do this with most commercial options.

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DCC (either from the E or H District comes in at the top and goes out at the top to the track on the elevator. It can be turned on/off with a switch on the panel. The other 3 toggle switches and push buttons control the 3 turnouts on the elevator. Servo cables go from the left side of the panel to 3 $2 servo controllers and on to $3 servos which will throw the turnout. Very easy to wire and there are no computers or Arduinos or other electronics involved in throwing the turnouts. All for around $10 per turnout. More info ( HERE ).

The elevator is easy to operate with the hand control that came with it.

For a video on how the control panel works go (HERE).

To be continued and a link to this whole build ( HERE ).

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