Page 11 - NMRA Roundhouse January-February 2020

Modified HOn3 cassette and docking station
HOn3 K27 passing from the cassette to the dock
truded by 25mm. My photographs show this far better than my description.The cassette then simply drops in between the two pieces of angle and onto the two protruding pieces. Now gravity, rath- er than the ‘crocodile’ clips provides the electrical continuity and the sides give me alignment, so I don’t need to bother with the clips anymore.
The redesign has proved quite relia-
ble and has also provided a number of benefits which I hadn’t thought about.
I try and use five cassettes though I do take a few spares which can be loaded
at short notice if a viewer wants to see a particular model.This can be done quickly because since one is not using rail to run on, the lengths of aluminium channels act like ‘re-railers.’ As one slides the freight cars or locomotive across the cassette they simply fall into the gap and experience has shown that I can set up six wagons and even a K27 in about a minute while still talking to the visitors.
The cassette is placed in between the bottom angle pieces
The cassette is then simply pushed forward until it touches the top angle pieces of the dock, ensuring accurate alignment and electrical contact
Dave Bush
HO cassette and dock showing entry to the layout
Close up of an HO cassette and dock
ROUNDHOUSE - January/February 2020
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