I'd like to add a single trolley line crossing my Fastrack loop (See attached pic). How would I wire it so that it would make one or two trips after a short mainline consist passes? Thanks
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I am certain DaleH will weigh in here at some point. My advice is find some of his posts here, click on the link he generally provides and learn all about relays. He seems to have addressed all possible contingencies on his site. Do not be intimidated, relays are your friend, they let you make all sorts of things happen that would not be possible otherwise.
This is very simple if you are using a transformer and ordinary control. You don't need relays. Divide the trolley track into three sections, A, B and C. A and C are at the end of the line. Divide the oval into two sections, D and E. D is the upper half. E the lower half. Now get pins to isolate track sections. When the train is running on "D" all three trolley sections are energized. When the train rolls to "E" only the middle trolley section is energized. Thus the trolley will clear the crossing and stop at the station until the train again ends up on section "D". No relays or timing circuits needed.
There are several ways to skin the kitty-cat. In my way label the rails one, two and three. In the trolley section the two outside rails are grounds, connected with a single wire to the outside rail of the upper loop, isolated by two track pins. Thus the trolley can only run on sections "A" and "C" when the upper loop is activated by a train on the rails. When a train is on the rails the return is made and the bump-and-go will go to the bumper and reverse.. But it will ALWAYS clear the intersection and not collier with ther train running around the oval.
Dallee has some interesting Stop and Go trolley electronics that may adaptable to your
project. They are designed to work with a Forward/Neutral/Reverse electronic control, not the bump and go trolleys.
Timed station stops with momentum
There are parts descriptions and wiring diagrams with these links.
Originally Posted by Tommy:
There are several ways to skin the kitty-cat. In my way label the rails one, two and three. In the trolley section the two outside rails are grounds, connected with a single wire to the outside rail of the upper loop, isolated by two track pins. Thus the trolley can only run on sections "A" and "C" when the upper loop is activated by a train on the rails. When a train is on the rails the return is made and the bump-and-go will go to the bumper and reverse.. But it will ALWAYS clear the intersection and not collier with ther train running around the oval.
This will work but has no direction logic. If the trolley clears the crossing it may still stop going away from the crossing if the train arrives. If you make a long insulated outside rail on the train loop to control the trolley,you can not make short ones to activate a crossing gate or block signal. Trolley operation may be erratic as the train leaves and enters the outside insulated section. This assumes the trolley is bump and go. E units can be reversed with relays and stops made with timers. Or the trolley can be modified and run on DC to the track with polarity reversal. If you dont mind this the old described method will work.
Dale H
