Hon3 shelf module (56kers beware!)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
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The beginnings of the HOn3 shelf module.
The layout was originally on the club layout I was in, I pretty much built it all.
It was fully operational at the club, but the club had to move so this was salvaged.
total height for now is 6 inches, edge panel has very narrow spacing for controls but just enough. It will sit on wall shelves.

I just put together this MDC HOn3 2-8-0, I just got the mechanism running flawlessly yesterday. Its not detailed out or anything, I wanted to use it for testing trackage.

I laid out rotary switches in preparation to adding the controls but theres underneath work to do.
But thats easy, I just flip the module over, and I can work up close, not trying to hang up underneath a standard unmoveable layout I have done sooooo many times.

The background stuff is all kinds of my stuff and projects, plenty to keep me busy. yes I can play it. Please don’t request Melancholy Baby…

The dual gauge turnoffs I built and were operational in use on the club.
I am going to retrofit them on this module as a part of a coal transfer point for the bigger dream of the coal haulers layout, which means I will have N&W, Virginian, NYC, South Shore, North Shore, Belt Railway of Chicago, CC&NW, Illinois Central electric and steam plus whatever else fits.

The HOn3 is represented by a real but abandoned feeder line to the Virginian, (not abandoned here!)
Its going to be freelanced just virtually using the roadname as its creative point as a prototypical representation.

The module is being kinda a guinea pig in the module design and I think its falling together pretty good.
I plan to have a backdrop and roof on it to provide lighting day/night.
But for now its getting the line to run…first.
I tried a method of a shelf module from an MR module and it

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Its Alive! got some work done, did some wiring.

Backed up past the far turnout.
hard wired to a throttle I turn the tortoise switch machine

and she runs over to the other track! yay!!

The big and small of it.
RR Y6b, N&W (or virginian) will run hoppers here and pick up coal thru transfer. 3 foot mines off the coal and brings it down.

Tiny shack is a little bar complete with entertainer.

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very good!

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You have convinced me, dinwitty!!! I tried calling the phone company to get this stupid dial-up line upgraded to broadband but their recording says to call back in the A.M. How many sleepless nights will I spend before being able to view you HOn3 shelf module???

Just answered my own question. While I was posting this comment your photos painted and I gandered at them; guess I can cancel that broadband order - for the moment anyway.

On a serious vein - looks interesting -keep us posted.

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Looks like it has switching potential, that’s always fun.[:)]

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I have a bunch of these old surplus telephone style toggle switches. I can use them on controlling the tortoise switch mochines on this module but its a little more work than drilling a simple hole for a rotary switch. But I like the style and railroady dispatcher feel. It doesnt really fit narrow gauge style but it works in operating the thing, so its going in.