November 15, 2008

NCE Mini-Panel: Simple Layout Automation!

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See also Hare, Wabbit, Block Watcher, Switch-It, Switch 8, Switch-Kat, Snap-It

NCE's Mini-Panel also provides simple, inexpensive layout automation.

While attending Train Fest in Milwaukee this past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the folks from NCE. They were demonstrating their new Mini Panel Accessory and Route Controller.

The Mini Panel is designed to simplify control panel wiring by letting you wire push buttons, toggles and other input devices to the Mini Panel which will communicate with the proper accessory decoders on the layout using the NCE control Bus. This eliminates the need for long runs of wire from the panel to the turnouts on the layout. It also allows you to set up routes so that one push button can throw multiple turnouts. This is great for lining turnouts into a yard or staging tracks.

As if that wasn't enough the Mini Panel allows you to set up simple automatic train control with some simple programming. Used in conjunction with block detectors on the layout, trains can be programmed to take different route and stop at different places without the use of a computer. NCE had a 4 x 8 layout set up at the show and they had 3 different trains operating automatically.

If you have wanted to add automation to your layout but didn't want to get involved with a computer, this may be what you have been waiting for! With a List price of $49.95 it a lot less expensive too!