Z Scale Miniature Briefcase: The Very Little Big Configurable Train Layout

Description

Complete ready to use train layout in miniature Halliburton ZERO metal briefcase. Open the locked case and a world of tiny houses, lights, trees, people and trains are revealed. All mentioned items are included. They are new and were recently purchased, enhanced, tested and assembled to strategically fit into case and finally retested. Just open case, take engines off of back inside cover, put on track, click power on and have fun. This is the very little train layout. XOR take train board out of case and read on....
The principal components of this engineered system besides the case are: The primary board A with mini control panel; The secondary board B; The bridge C. Each of these were strategically created to fit together as a whole and thus making a somewhat big train layout, more than two feet long.  Details are specified below.
The small metal case has exterior dimensions about 12x9x4 inches, with interior dimensions slightly smaller. It is new, never used and bought about twenty years ago. On the inside back cover there is a removable foam rubber backing, also illustrated. On this are attached via Velcro train units, an airplane unit, a small magnifying glass,and the bridge C. The only other observable when the case is first in the open position is board A. Board B is located completely hidden underneath board A within the case.
Board A is made of strong stained plywood, it can be used by itself or in conjunction with board B and bridge C. In any case, this board contains all the power in the form of two 9 volt alkaline batteries.  They are adhered to the bottom of the board within strong metal enclosures.  Small houses, trees, lamp posts, people and track appear on the upper side of this board along with the very small power control panel.  Its main function is the train control mechanisms. The latter being the train motion on/off train power switch with pilot light, variable train speed control, and forward/reverse ie clockwise and counter clockwise determiner explained in more depth below.   Additionally four quick touch buttons for automatic switch direction control are also on the controll panel along with a single lamppost lighting switch which also enables power to switch buttons.   The track consists of a closed loop and a branching switch track which goes no where except for what appears to be a dead end, with dead end bumper included.  Keeping switch track in the non branching state  with the quick touch button ensures the user lodes of fun by viewing the clockwise or counter clockwise motion of the tiny train component.
Board B, similar in composition and size to board A, but contains no electronics or power except for the matching switch track. This board has a much smaller board hinged to its bottom held closed with Velcro. On the obverse is a miniature airplane runway where the included airplane can be employed and enjoyed. As in board A the track consists of a closed loop with a branching track, but 180 degrees out of phase from branching track on board A. This board can be used singularly by utilizing the male connecting wires emanating from this board”s reverse. To do so, just insert these connectors into appropriate color coded female connectors located on board A. Once this is done control proceeds as before. Alternative and more exstensive and exciting usage involves bridge C along with board A.
Bridge C as well as having electrical track connectors it also has two parallel plastic vertical guiding strips at ends of bridge. These are to be inserted into the corresponding parallel slits existing on a single side of each board. Simultaneously insert electrical train connectors into branching tracks on each board. Then removing dead end bumper from board A and again using the color coded connectors as mentioned above permits train to be maneuved from board to board utilizing the bridge in a totally electronic manner. Clockwise motion transports train from board A to board B, while counterclockwise motion does the converse. Secure and robust use of bridge is insured by employing small board hinged and velcoed on reverse of board B. Open small board, connect bridge then insert small rods on small board into corresponding holes on board A.
On the control panel there are two quick push switches which control branch or no branch for board A and two more corresponding switches for board B. A potentiometer is utilized in the train control mechanism functioning as a voltage divider thus enabling the train units to gradually go from 0 to max speed and back in a smooth manner. This device was matched to the included train engines. As mentioned earlier all parts are new. They were acquired to maximize visual aspects of the boards as well as functionality.  In this respect, train track with bedding is utilized throughout except for the switching tracks. Here, Marklin tracks are used which do not cause a short circuit. Thus trains can enter or exit the switch in any direction and one need not worry about switch position causing a short.  The trains operate on nine volts whereas the switches need eighteen volts. This is why two batteries are utilized. The batteries have long life due to the light load including lights and trains as well as momentary use of switches. However, the batteries are easily changed by sliding them out, replaced and then sliding these back into their housings when needed.
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