MER Clinic: Retooling 3 Control Panels into 2 Redundant Panels

Three panels, which had only minor overlapping functions, have been eliminated with all functions combined on each of two new panels. The task included 2 diode matrixes, and in excess of 150 LEDs and 80 push buttons on each panel. The area covered is Spencer Yard on the NVMR club layout s Western North Carolina RR.  A significant portion of the layout is controlled by the panels, including Salisbury Station, the north and south ends of Spencer, red, blue, and gold line route in and out of Washington and Atlanta (hidden areas), interchange with the Blueridge trolley system, the Wye interchange between the blue line and the Western North Carolina westbound, the round house, steam engine service, diesel engine service, and the ice house. It is anticipated that the NVMR club layout, located in Vienna, VA, will be a featured open house, allowing participants to see the subject control panels installed and operational. The project has spanned several years and required well over 1500 volunteer hours, as extensive upgrades to wiring and other control elements were ultimately necessary.

Back to clinics home