Anyone Operating a point-to-point reversing Standard Gauge Trolley?

Dallee, who recently became a forum sponsor, has electronic hardware that will take a standard forward/neutral/reverse controlled trolley and power it for back and forth operation.   Here is a link.  Click on the underlined phrase. 

Don't know if this hardware can be adapted to standard gauge wiring.

I have a Depotronics point to point with 2 stops that I use on my O gauge layout. Most likely same as Dallee.

These will not work on original trolleys as the reverse units a manual.  The MTH trolleys work differently than PS 2 or 3. They are made to do exactly what you are proposing. You could weather a new trolley or put in a electronic reverse unit in an original. With the latter you would have to buy a track reversing board. 

Mike CT posted:

Dallee, who recently became a forum sponsor, has electronic hardware that will take a standard forward/neutral/reverse controlled trolley and power it for back and forth operation.   Here is a link.  Click on the underlined phrase. 

Don't know if this hardware can be adapted to standard gauge wiring.

 

What Mike sez...

And, if you go to his link, you can find the pdf for the instructions that govern this AC power unit.

The key will be whether you have a 3-position E unit in your trolley.  If not, Dallee might be able to help in this regard, also.

Regardless....Dallas is VERY good at helping the modeler through these issues/questions.  Contact him.

KD

If you find an MTH repro in the pride Lines No.9 "pay as you go" or a No.8 you could wire the motor direct for DC and use the an Azatrax PFRR controller with two sensors and an HO power pack. DC power and motor make it a lot easier.

You don't need the boards , so perhaps a parts or repair deal. Will an MTH motor truck fit in an original?

Thanks for all the replies. Dalle's product looks great, but it seems to require a 3 position E unit. I think this one (which I am interested in, only has a two position unit.) Maybe I'm wrong. Anyone have one of these or know conclusively? Thanks. 

http://www.collector-modeltrai...log_item/MT-0893578/

It has a three position E-unit. Here is the link to the page that has the manual.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ch&startRow=6051

Though an electronic reversing solution is likely what you need, O gauge Toonerville Trolleys do point to point using two unique small turntables, which are activated at either end of a trolley line when a Toonerville trolley comes into contact with the small bars extending above the tracks.  These vertical bars are visible in the photos below.  Attached are photos of these turntables and other Toonerville products that Dick Mayer manufactured and sold. 

Dick once told me that he made a prototype of a Standard Gauge Toonerville turntable but never went into production with it.  I should note that the turntable was only long enough to turn the trolley and would not turn both the trolley and its attached Aunt Eppe trailer, which can be seen below in the top photo.

Bob Nelson

I usually run my SG trains with the sound off. Not quite the same as an original but close. One can tell the difference. The cruise control,pulling power and smoke options more than make up the the different sound when running no Sound system. 

Thinking a little outside the box. How about the postwar controllers that activate the post war ti-ejector car and ballast car. They turn a lever to make things happen.   

The modern MTH repro like the trolley,mono rail ect. Will do automatic station stops in one direction or stop and reverse it's self and make stops in the opposite direction.  You can also program it to stop at the points you choose but as far as I know it won't do a point to point route. It has to be going in a complete circle to do the functions I mentioned.  

Chris, If it stops and reverses, it seems a straight track would be an option. Or at least require only one reversing loop..?

DH, As you seem to like old school, the two position unit, trigger of choice for relays, maybe with a capacitor, and maybe a timer relay . The two position makes it simple, except for lights. A change to LEDs with a good sized capacitor could conquer that..later if need be. Lights while stopped are likely why the 3p E unit is used on those boards.

On a 2 postion, the guts for a talking station could work too if you clip the resistor that prevents 100% power kill at stops. For middle of the run stops without direction change, it would be left in place and that station(s) uses it while the end stations get 100% power kill. Toggles for the center stations could turn off the stop, turn on/off reversing. Detection by new or old methods could induce direction oriented operation.

 The electronics offer more options for changing the run "out of the box" from what I see. I'd go for the greatest number of options, or keep it old school and basic, since that's what you sort of like.

  For other ideas, new and old ways both, try poking around on the  JC Studios site too. 

Adriatic posted:

Chris, If it stops and reverses, it seems a straight track would be an option. Or at least require only one reversing loop..?

 

Let me clarify: It does stop and reverse but only after it has made all it's stops. "Then" it will reverse and do the same in the other direction.  A reversing loop would definitely work in that case.

Hello trolley operators .

Old school Lionel  has the reverse lever low to the track ..so it can hit a track trip and reverse ..small little device ( no electronics) .   There may be a learning curve to get the right velocity between crashing through  and and too slow to properly fully throw the lever.   No doubt neck injuries and lawsuits may be filed by riders of your trolley from the accompanying whip lash .   

Attached illustration Lionel catalog 1909 ...they did change it a bit over the years ...  a well placed stick would do the same trick . 

Unknown if the modern era reproduction trolleys have the same reverse mechanism

Cheers Carey

Thanks for helping me understand that Chris. I figured something like that was the case.

The track trips can't be much worse than the O gauge bump & go. I'd suspect the older method worked better in all honesty.

Trolley drivers weren't really known for easy going starts and stops anyhow

My mono rail and subway work the same way. The station announcements at times get a bit to repetitive so I will shut off the engine sounds which will also turn off the announcements. Then you just hear the "Ding Ding" of the bell when it sets off again. The sound of a trolley bell never gets old!

Funny, but aside from an idling steamers pressure valves rhythmic beat, the bells are the one sound on any train I don't tire of either.

Now if the rest of the household would just get with it , Id be golden