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Final version of the requirements for Standard Gauge Modules as voted on by SGMA members in June 2006 and revised in January 2007:
Interface requirements for Standard Gauge Modules:
1. All modules will be 48" inches in length, or combined lengths equaling a multiple of 48" (for example two 72" long modules). Minimum module width (front to back) is 30", but may be in two pieces. Wider modules are encouraged to allow for additional features.
2. All modules will have 1/4 inch holes on four inch centers (from the front edge) centered 3 1/4 inches below the tops of the rails, on the connecting surfaces. (The Sievers 48" long Benchwork meets all requirements.) The preferred method of connecting modules together is with 1/4" bolts with fender washers and wing-nuts, but c-clamps are also acceptable.
3. All modules, or sets of modules, will have tracks centered 6-3/4",13"
and 27-3/4 inches from the front edge measured at, and tangent to, the connecting
surfaces. Track ends are flush with the end of the table, and track pins are
added during assembly. The last six to eight inches of the track should loosely
fastened to facilitate the minor adjustments in track location that might be
necessary. An end cap may be bolted to the table ends during transport to protect
the track.
4. All modules will have legs with one inch of length adjustment. The tops of
the rails will be adjustable from 42-43 inches above the floor.
5. All track will be new tubular MTH or EBR Standard Gauge track with "extra
ties"(four ties per foot). Corner modules will have the standard tubular
track STD42 (actual diameter 40-1/2"),STD72 (actual diameter 70")
and STD84 (actual diameter 82-1/2") curves. Actual curve measurements to
the center rail.
6. All modules will have nine color coded 12 gauge stranded copper bus wires,
terminated at each end of the module into a Molex 1292 series 0.093 standard
9 pin or 9 socket receptacle. The pin receptacle (Molex pin housing part number
03-09-2092 and Molex pins part number 02-09-2103) will be attached at the right
end of the module as viewed from the STD42 track side of the module, and the
socket receptacle (Molex socket housing part number 03-09-1094 and Molex sockets
part number 02-09-1104) will be attached at the left end of the module. Both
should be mounted 18" from the front of the module, and capable of extending
6 inches beyond the interfacing edges of the modules.
The color code of the wires (insulation or identifying tape color) is as follows:
STD84 Hot-Black, STD84 Ground-Orange, STD84 Accessory-Blue, STD72 Hot-Red, STD72
Ground-Yellow, STD72 Accessory-Brown,STD42 Hot-White, STD42 Ground-Purple, STD42
Accessory-Green. All wire connections will be made using wire nuts, crimp connectors,
solder or terminal strips (no "vampire", pinch or other connectors
that may break or damage the wire strands). All connections should be made to
positively prevent accidental connections between the bus wires (with insulation
or other physical barriers).
Electrical separation of the three mine line tracks, including their grounds
and associated accessory power supplies must be maintained at all times. Each
track power supply will share a common ground only with its own associated accessory
power supply. Insulated track pins should be used on all three rails whenever
tracks are joined using track switches or crossings, and no track should be
connected to more than one power supply or ground bus at the same time. Electrical
switches should be used to control the source of power and grounding to connecting
tracks, crossings and sidings. Crossing will require special care to avoid inadvertent
connections between power supplies or grounds. (Note: The original MTH TIU,
Rev G (no sticker on the back), had common grounds and may not be used on a
SGMA display.)
Three dual or paired in phase power supplies will be used to deliver up to 10
amps of variable AC power to each of two separate outputs which share a common
ground. Power supplies must have fast-acting circuit breakers. One of the 10
amp outputs of these dual or paired in phase power supplies will be connected
to each main line track (not to exceed 25 volts) and the other to its associated
accessory power bus (at 14 volts). The accessory power bus should be used only
for supplying power to track switches (which should never be powered by track
power) and to accessories which are activated by an insulated rail. Wherever
possible, DCS compatible relays should be used to activate those accessories
controlled by an insulated rail.
7: Carpeted modules will be completely covered with Emerald Green (Baylink Varsity
brand #3788) carpet, with 4" wide strips of Smoke Grey (Baylink Varsity
brand #3830) carpet representing ballast. The "ridges" of the carpet
are oriented front to back to conceal the table joints. (Carpet is NOT required
on modules with scenery.)
8: The outside (STD84) loop will not have any track-work which will cause operational
problems with ANY Standard Gauge trains in good repair (i.e. in gauge wheels,
etc.). This may require modifications to commercial switches. MTH STD42 and
SDT72 switches are the standard switches be used on the STD42 and STD72 loops.
Other switches, in good repair and without functional problems, are also acceptable
on the STD42 and STD72 loops. This may limit older large gear locomotives, large
locomotives, trolleys and possibly other equipment to the STD84 loop.
9; Changes in track elevation will not exceed 3/16" per foot on the STD42,
STD72 and STD84 loops.
10: Operational tracks will be no more than 36" from at least one edge
of the table.
11: The primary loops may be separated if the tracks are eventually returned
to the standard interface. (For example, a corner module with two tracks continuing
straight and one curving.)
12: Modules will be fitted with a laminated fascia board, fabricated by gluing
a 1-5/8" high piece of 1/4" thick stock wood trim to the bottom of
the side of a 1x4 board (actual size 3/4"x3-1/2"). The space above
the 1/4" trim piece allows a piece of 1/4" clear plastic to be clamped
between the fascia board and the module frame with the bolts that secure the
legs and the fascia to the modules. Holes are drilled through the laminated
combination exactly 1" from the bottom, 8" from each end, and in two
additional locations at multiples of 8" from the ends. When the fascia
board is bolted to the module using these holes it will be offset up 3/4",
allowing it to cover the edge of the module plywood top and carpeting. The entire
fascia board should be painted with black paint to seal it and to cover any
possible exposed wood. A pleated skirt 40 inches in length will be attached
with Velcro to the front fascia board.
13: A "Modulator" will be designated for each display activity. He
will coordinate how many modules will be brought, how they will be joined, and
who will be responsible for assembly, displaying and disassembling the display.
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