AF Mystic Talking Station

I think that Resister keep enough power to the track so the E Unit doesn't cycle when the station stops the train.  In the earlier stations there wasn't one and you had to lock the E unit or put in a lockout eliminator into the track section isolated for the station.

The earlier versions of these cut power to the track completely to make the train stop so the engine had to be locked in forward to avoid cycling the reverse unit when power was restored. The improved design cut enough power to halt the train through the resistor but left enough voltage to keep the reverse unit energized and in the forward position.

Thanks for the responses Bill and Rich.

I've elected to operate the station by pushbutton but it's good to finally know what that resistor was for!

I've also read where one should change the needle from once every three plays to up to once every 10 plays..........

Also, are all needles alike?  Prices seem to vary greatly.

How often would you recommend changing the needle?

Thanks again

Soo Line

A pushbutton is required no matter what. The power that flows through the resistor is isolated by fiber pins to a short section of one rail to stop and start the train. The instructions are here:

Regarding the needles, this was THE standard 78 RPM steel needle of the day and very common. I have seen bags of 100 on Ebay for not that much. I would say 10 plays is not out of the question for a steel needle. That said Doug Peck of Portlines Hobbies has them at reasonable prices. He also has conversions that will eliminate the record in favor of a printed circuit board with the audio recorded on it. Years ago, a fellow who repaired antique phonographs gave me a deluxe needle capable of many, many more plays. I know I still have the packaging for that and will post the info on this topic as soon as I can.

Here's the needle. It was made for jukeboxes where 3-10 plays would be unacceptable. The tip is osmium instead of steel.

Can you still buy them Rich?

I'm looking for a source. I'll let you know.

These look like a different brand of the same product.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321094794239?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649