Updating the Cab Bus

 

One of the new UTP-CAT5s

Up to this point in time, the 4th Subdivisions's NCE system has relied on two six wire UTP panels on the Nooksack section and my one radio throttle. With the addition of East Branch, the sceniced staging section, and the new "Phase Two" sections. I wanted to expand the Cab Bus capabilities. With the enlarged railroad, particularly the Ferndale Yard section. I needed to plan on the potential of having additional operators. I purchased two UTP-CAT5 panels using the more robust CAT5 cable to expand the Cab Bus. 

Schematic Sketch of the Updated Cab Bus

I started by replacing the UTP connected directly from the command station with one of the new UTP-CAT5s.It functions as a Cab Bus splitter with one side headed towards the other original UTP installed in Nooksack and the other side headed towards Ferndale Yard using CAT5 cable. 

Interlocking Switch and new panel near Ferndale

An issue I found with running the CAT5 cable through the new benchwork had to do with the size of the cable connectors. I had to head out to the big box store and buy a 5/8" drill bit to run the cable through the benchwork. Cutting an opening for the panel at 1" X 2 3/8" was easy; I drilled 1/4" holes in the four corners after marking the opening and then used my jig saw to complete the cuts between them. As seen in the photo, I still need to dress the loop of extra cable. As the TOMA expansion grows, the Cab Bus can continue using CAT 5 cable from here. 

Testing the East side of from the splitter

Moving from the splitter to the original Nooksack panel just involved plugging some of the six wire cable in place. Seen in this photo, I went ahead and tested the UTP that I replace with the splitter, a longer piece of six wire cable that I had on hand, and the radio receiver. I have held on to the six wire cable from my modular days in Seattle years ago, and I was relieved to see that it has held up. 

NCE radio base station and UTP 

I used the other original UTP here at the end of East Branch. I constructed a small shelf to mount on the legs of the module in order to hold the radio base station. I used some scrap lumber to fashion the shelf that I later mounted with 1/4" bolts and wing nuts. At this point, I am comfortable that I could have another operator. I have my radio control throttle and a standard coil wired throttle as well as my PowerCab from the Ingleton layout that can work as a standard throttle.

While I still have a punch list of small electrical projects to complete before I transition my rolling work cart from electrical to scenery, this project seemed like biggest obstacle to that transition.