Skip to main content

RSJB18 posted:

Cleaned the track this afternoon.

Open question: I have 5121, 5122 switches, powered on track power. Obviously that means the solenoids buzz when a car is sitting on the anti-derail rails. I was playing with one of the worst offenders this afternoon and its a simple fix- just stop the plunger from from vibrating when energized. However- the simple fix renders the switch useless. What I'm looking for is a way to briefly cut the power to the solenoid to limit the length of time it can buzz. I know that these can be re-wired from aux power but that doesn't eliminate the buzzing.

Thoughts?

If you use aux power supplied by a capacitor setup that'll stop the buzz. The Cap has enough energy stored to pull the solenoid plunger and then it runs out of juice until the actuating button is released or the car moves off the  derail-rail. Then the capacitor re-charges and is ready to fire again.

geysergazer posted:
RSJB18 posted:

Cleaned the track this afternoon.

Open question: I have 5121, 5122 switches, powered on track power. Obviously that means the solenoids buzz when a car is sitting on the anti-derail rails. I was playing with one of the worst offenders this afternoon and its a simple fix- just stop the plunger from from vibrating when energized. However- the simple fix renders the switch useless. What I'm looking for is a way to briefly cut the power to the solenoid to limit the length of time it can buzz. I know that these can be re-wired from aux power but that doesn't eliminate the buzzing.

Thoughts?

If you use aux power supplied by a capacitor setup that'll stop the buzz. The Cap has enough energy stored to pull the solenoid plunger and then it runs out of juice until the actuating button is released or the car moves off the  derail-rail. Then the capacitor re-charges and is ready to fire again.

Capacitors had crossed my mind Lew. Hadn't looked at it from that angle though. Any idea what size? I've been focused on shutting down current flow not using a different source.

Bob

Great info Lew. Did a search of Atlas switch machine and found this from Circuitron. I have one of their flasher relays on my crossing signals. Now- the concept is simple, how I could wire these into installed switches may be hard. I think I would have to get at the underside to connect to the two activating rails on the non-derail circuit. I would at least have to re-wire all of the switches to aux power and let this be the source. I have one spare switch that I re-wired for aux power that I could play with. The good thing is one board will handle several solenoids. Now I'm regretting not re-wiring all of the switches before I built the layout......

Just what I need- another project

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-upyoiba7k3/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/567830/300875/CIR-800-5303-2__19637.1504129633.jpg?c=2&imbypass=on

RSJB18 posted:

Great info Lew. Did a search of Atlas switch machine and found this from Circuitron. I have one of their flasher relays on my crossing signals. Now- the concept is simple, how I could wire these into installed switches may be hard. I think I would have to get at the underside to connect to the two activating rails on the non-derail circuit. I would at least have to re-wire all of the switches to aux power and let this be the source. I have one spare switch that I re-wired for aux power that I could play with. The good thing is one board will handle several solenoids. Now I'm regretting not re-wiring all of the switches before I built the layout......

Just what I need- another project

 

If you want to build your own circuit I just watched this video a few days ago on how to wire 1122 for constant voltage.  Info on the capacitor circuit starts about 26 minutes in.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGNLN2MA7x0

don

RSJB18 posted:

Great info Lew. Did a search of Atlas switch machine and found this from Circuitron. I have one of their flasher relays on my crossing signals. Now- the concept is simple, how I could wire these into installed switches may be hard. I think I would have to get at the underside to connect to the two activating rails on the non-derail circuit. I would at least have to re-wire all of the switches to aux power and let this be the source. I have one spare switch that I re-wired for aux power that I could play with. The good thing is one board will handle several solenoids. Now I'm regretting not re-wiring all of the switches before I built the layout......

Just what I need- another project

 

Bob, projects are what keep you young!

Don- thanks for sharing that video. Exactly what I want to do. As shown though, getting at the solenoid wire on an installed switch will be tough. The spare unit I have I was able to do from the top by clipping the wire to the solenoid and pulling it out.

Mike- believe me, I've got enough projects to keep me young for a lonnnnnnnngggggg time

Bob

Just completed the track to represent (our own representation) of  the Cass Railroad in West Virginia. We will have three Shay Engines on sidings in the 3 way switch as seen in the video. Each Shay will take its turn going up the spiral and eventually working its way through the switch backs as seen at the top of the video. Each Shay will then return to its siding and the next Shay will begin its journey up the spiral. The spiral will eventually be an enclosed mountain. We are controlling these Shays and all of the associated switches with the Arduino development micro controllers.

 

Thanks;

idea-thinker  

Attachments

Videos (1)
M2U02177

First project to replace working strobe light to detailed strobe light on powered unit. Removed the shell, drilled out old one with 4mm drill bit, removed plastic base off the top of the cab, drilled 2mm bit on bronze base then 3mm, installed 3mm white LED in bronze base, applied very little hot glue on it, glued it on top of the cab, assembled wires back on, shell on chassis, glued orange top part on base. Tested it, everything worked great. I have about 20 powered units to go! 😳

 

 

07D2087F-8BE8-4222-9BBA-85DFDB3C63EE5CA6F19F-545E-4B5E-8261-876ECA865C1EEE2E95B3-5083-4673-AFD4-A3FC611D872DF33073B5-AE48-491E-BC40-02895545473AFE286180-C4FE-4EE6-A04C-7EF4C75AD5CBFE0F8841-51B8-4203-A003-A719436F3E60117C272E-4F75-48D9-9829-C90499A14A19687088B2-5F76-4BD0-AAEF-2DB85F409075

Attachments

Images (8)
  • 07D2087F-8BE8-4222-9BBA-85DFDB3C63EE
  • 5CA6F19F-545E-4B5E-8261-876ECA865C1E
  • EE2E95B3-5083-4673-AFD4-A3FC611D872D
  • F33073B5-AE48-491E-BC40-02895545473A
  • FE286180-C4FE-4EE6-A04C-7EF4C75AD5CB
  • FE0F8841-51B8-4203-A003-A719436F3E60
  • 117C272E-4F75-48D9-9829-C90499A14A19
  • 687088B2-5F76-4BD0-AAEF-2DB85F409075
Videos (1)
trim.C5E3A9EE-C6EB-4AF8-8070-48D380D3B2E0

As if I don't have enough irons in the fire with projects to work on and complete I added another one. I dug through cobwebs to pull out a Downtown Deco kit I have had for years. Kozaks Machine shop. What made me get it out was I was looking at the scene I did with the Walther's oil depot and thought the machine shop would fit in there better. Opened the box and carefully took out the plaster pieces. Had one broken wall which I have glued and waiting for it to dry. Maybe later tonight I can work on it a bit. Pics..............Paul 2

DSCN0018DSCN0019DSCN0020DSCN0021DSCN0022DSCN0023

Attachments

Images (6)
  • DSCN0018
  • DSCN0019
  • DSCN0020
  • DSCN0021
  • DSCN0022
  • DSCN0023

Brian, as norm, wonderful Photos!

Lee D, Nice job on weathering the PIG! Also sweet job on the All Nations car! Nice to see your back and busy!

Idea, Nice project! Just wondering are they always going to back up the mountain?

CGWForever, Wonderful job on the new strobe! Now that you have it down it wont take very long to get them all done at 5 per day! LOL

B&O, great little trolley, even better is how wonderful your layout looks!

Paul, Same story I gave Bob, Its all those projects that keep you young! Plus we all know you can do anything!

Sorry nothing new here from me, who knows maybe tomorrow as my team isn't playing! LOL

I hope you all have had a great day and an even better tomorrow!

Bruce Jacobsen posted:

Big day, finished layering track and installing all the roadbed on the upper level. Can now get off the table and get under the table and start wiring the second level.Table1Table2Table3

Bruce, sorry I didn't mean to forget you, you were posting while I was typing my last response. What a great step to what looks like is going to be a wonderful layout! I see its in your garage, but I sure hope that doesn't mean you park your vet outside!

I hope you have a nice creeper for under the layout so you don't get a kink in your neck!

Lots of great projects everyone!!  If lots of projects keep you young, I am with Bob and Paul and will stay young a long time!!  I confess I overdid it Thursday after a good followup appointment at the orthopedic surgeon, and have just been plodding along since.  Visiting both my parents' personal care home and my aunt's nursing home yesterday didn't help.  It is soooo far into the homes from the parking lot and then back to their rooms!!!!  I remember walking back there like it was nothing some time ago!!  No worries, Monday the boys will whip me into shape at PT!  

Idea-thinker, having been to Cass and owning an MTH Western Maryland #6 Shay, I am really interested in your project!  Your concept is something different from what I have seen in over 50 years with trains!  I know I am going to like it as it progresses!

Bruce, That is a great looking layout you are building.  How do you get in and back out of the Vett after working on the layout??

My other project from my main train layout is to build the Lionel D-225 Dealer Display Layout that will reside in our Train Display room. Attached is the start of the display layout. We are planning on replicating the D-225 as close to the original as possible including using Super-O track and Switches.

D-225 Lionel Dealer Display Layout

 

Thanks;

idea-thinker

Attachments

Images (1)
  • D-225 Lionel Dealer Display Layout

I recently purchased a Lionel bump-n-go trolley. I had a similar trolley in HO when I was a kid (no bump-n-go though), don't know why it took me this long to buy one. Fun little critters to let loose on the layout.

This one is nice and clean but the motor was gunked up with old grease. Took it all apart and cleaned everything, worm gear, commutator, gear box, wheels, etc.

It runs great now.

2020-02-01 19.23.402020-02-01 19.23.48

Everyone have a great Sunday.

GO CHIEFS!

Attachments

Images (2)
  • 2020-02-01 19.23.40
  • 2020-02-01 19.23.48
Last edited by RSJB18
RSJB18 posted:

I recently purchased a Lionel bump-n-go trolley. I had a similar trolley in HO when I was a kid (no bump-n-go thought), don't know why it took me this long to buy one. Fun little critters to let loose on the layout.

This one is nice and clean but the motor was gunked up with old grease. Took it all apart and cleaned everything, worm gear, commutator, gear box, wheels, etc.

It runs great now.

2020-02-01 19.23.40

Everyone have a great Sunday.

GO CHIEFS!

Bob, looks like a really nice trolley! I am glad you were able to get it running smoothly! I hope you have a great Sunday also!

GO SEAHAWKS! Oh wait there not at the show this year. GO TRAINS!

idea-thinker posted:

Just completed the track to represent (our own representation) of  the Cass Railroad in West Virginia. We will have three Shay Engines on sidings in the 3 way switch as seen in the video. Each Shay will take its turn going up the spiral and eventually working its way through the switch backs as seen at the top of the video. Each Shay will then return to its siding and the next Shay will begin its journey up the spiral. The spiral will eventually be an enclosed mountain. We are controlling these Shays and all of the associated switches with the Arduino development micro controllers.

 

Thanks;

idea-thinker  

I absolutely love it, unique!

As it is WV, perhaps a mountain for the spiral to wrap around?

mike g. posted:
RSJB18 posted:

GO CHIEFS!

Bob, looks like a really nice trolley! I am glad you were able to get it running smoothly! I hope you have a great Sunday also!

GO SEAHAWKS! Oh wait there not at the show this year. GO TRAINS!

Mike, you must be thinking Patriots. They were in the last 3, winning 2. 
NASCAR is coming soon!  Let’s go racing boys!

PS TRAING the new conductor, Lucy, is a full time job.

456A2FC4-CF00-42D8-A4CE-B83792B23BC3

12EE1F72-A68B-455A-8DB9-CA96A0018484

Attachments

Images (2)
  • 456A2FC4-CF00-42D8-A4CE-B83792B23BC3
  • 12EE1F72-A68B-455A-8DB9-CA96A0018484
Last edited by decoynh
briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

          Matt " NASCAR is coming soon!  Let’s go racing boys! "

          Mike  " Matt, I am with you, lets go racing! Bogady, bogady,bogady ! "

 

                 sounds good to me          have a great day !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

hi izzy!  I'm keeping my Daddy on his toes. No time 4 trains - just ME!

So much good work has been posted in the last two days.  It is nice to see the layout construction and car building.

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and I just finished the interior of my last passenger car while Mom slept.  Now that she is up, I can start grinding the Preiser 65602 Seated People and put them in the 1927050 UP Excursion Dome Coach and the Coach, Texas Eagle.  There are no more 21" passenger cars waiting for painting.  Am I done?  I would not wager on it.

Update: I finished placing Preiser Seated People in the Dome of the Dome Coach.  I inspected what figures I have left and will need to paint a couple specific figures to complete the lower level of the Dome Coach and the Texas Eagle Coach.

Have a good Super Bowl Sunday.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Attachments

Images (7)
  • IMG_1444
  • IMG_1443
  • IMG_1437
  • IMG_1434
  • IMG_1446
  • IMG_1447
  • IMG_1445
Last edited by John Rowlen

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×