I'm curious...

Are there really that many people out there who use a fast clock ratio faster than 12:1?

The half dozen or so layouts I typically run on have run at 2:1 or 3:1 most of the time, so operation at greater than 12:1 is well outside of my somewhat limited experience.

Ratios

I haven't seen one, nor do I think I'd care to run on one either.  I'm using 2.3:1.

The faster ratios available in Time Lynx probably are of greater use to people using the device to control layout lighting effects for layout tours or other display lighting situations where they want to show the full range of effects in a relatively short time.

Fast clock ratios

The Ruphe and Tumbelle Rwy. operates at 9:1. I takes about three hours to run a full 24 hour day. I have a NCE system so we just use it's clock feature. you can set it anywhere between 1:1 to 12:1. We're 1930's so we run on train orders and timetables so you really get quite wrapped up in what "time" it is, so you inevitably start to glance at your watch... which doesn't help in the least!

I would like to find a way...

....to have analog watches set up for fast clock.  I am hoping that somehow some type of miniature electronic component can change the frequency to cause the watch to go faster at a set rate, but haven't had time to look into it. 

Ken L

But I Repeat Myself

The first repeater module was installed today; here it is on the backdrop above Cedar:

The repeaters connect to the base unit with four-wire cable.  Getting the cable to the first unit was an adventure.  I'll post about that later.

About That Wiring

Although the dispatcher's office is physically within the train room (actually under the basement stairs), the layout benchwork doesn't connect to it anywhere.  Since it was impractical for various reasons to pre-wire for the fast clocks, wiring has to get to the layout somehow other than inside the walls or ceiling.  I chose a non-metallic "raceway" from Wiremold, available at big box home centers and other sources, to run wires on the surface of the drywall.  Below is some of the raceway inside the dispatcher's office, showing fittings that allow it to bend around obstructions as required.  Each straight section consists of two pieces, one that mounts to the wall (I screwed mine into the studs), and a cover that snaps onto it.  The covers and corner fittings can be removed to add more wires later.

After exiting the office, wiring runs across the ceiling above an operating aisle, then drops into the layout through a backdrop.

Wire runs across the office door header before taking off across the ceiling.  That snap-in access panel allows me to reach across the header to fish wires from the office.  It's from the plumbing section at Lowe's.  I would have preferred to locate such a panel inside the office, but it wasn't possible due to the clearance around an HVAC duct just inside the office door.

Last, here's a view down the aisle past the dispatcher's office window.  In the distance, you can see where the raceway drops toward the top of the backdrop.  The first clock repeater is just out of sight to the left of this view.

Woohoo!

I got all the repeaters in and wired over the weekend.  This type of electrical work is not something I much enjoy, although is is satisfying to see each component start functioning after it's hooked up.  I'd rather be finishing more scenery and structures, but we do "need" the clocks and phones to really get the full effect of operation while running through the finished scenes.  I still have the phones to install, then it's back to the fun stuff.

Congrats

Well done Rob, can't wait to see more photos.

And on behalf of the "model railroading in a 70+ year old basement" group, I'm completely jealous of your well lit, insulated and finished space.

James

Re: James

Thanks.  I posted about finishing the clocks after seeing your comments on your "Down at the Crossing" thread about the "little victories" that keep you motivated.  That's exactly what this project was.  I stalled for a couple months after getting the clocks since I was sick of looking at unfinished benchwork and wanted to get some scenery at least started before working on the clocks and phones, especially since they're not really even modeling at all.  One small victory set the stage for another, so to speak.