I’ve been working on our Christmas display for a LionChief Polar Express. The main feature is double spiral which elevates 15 ½” over a 8’ x 4 1/2’ baseline using O36 & O48 fastrack. Without cruise control on the Polar Express I needed a way to automatically control the descent on the spiral. Dale H. not only supplied the solution with a relay circuit, he also through his many posts and personal attention has given me a valuable education.
This is my first project involving a relay circuit and the experience is priceless. I’ve learned about relays, diodes, capacitors and bridge rectifiers. I understand how they work and what they can do.
Below is our future Christmas display under construction with a voltage drop down circuit utilizing three channels of a postwar zw transformer. (Nothin prettier under a Christmas Tree than a properly refurbished and protected pw zw with it’s constant glowing green light.) Dale provided the circuit and some very good diagrams making it possible for me to install, secure the track and operate in about an hour.
18v on the climb, 15v on the descent and about 1/3 constant throttle setting on the remote. Yes it appears it’s going too fast down the hill and that is prototypical; after all “This Is The Polar Express”
Being a small display operator I’ve often looked at command control layouts with envy and wondered how I could justify a system for what I do. With the new knowledge I’ve acquired, that’s no longer going to be on my mind. It’s very rewarding to step away from plug and play to build from scratch, with the understanding of how and why all the components interact. I’m no expert by any means but through this project and Dales guidance my interest and confidence has peaked to make me want to continue to learn more.
Gun Runner John was the first person I noticed who referred to Dale as “The Relay King” I can tell you the moniker fits. I’m very appreciative all their help as well as all the others who’ve worked with me on this project.
