Subject:
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Re: Low-tech & low cost controls
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Sat, 18 May 2002 03:13:03 GMT
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Reply-To:
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jrclark@/StopSpammers/nospam.aol.com
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Viewed:
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808 times
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Pedro Silva wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Rick Clark writes:
<snip>
> > Additional feeder wires every 25-100 ft or so should reduce the
> > electrical friction that is causing the power loss. Experiment with what
> > works best.
>
> I will, thank you. BTW, is it possible to use a regular wire (non-LEGO) to
> make tests? Later I'd replace it with the real stuff, but in order to test
> faster I may need to use this procedure (if it is possible, what are the
> specifications of the suitable wire?)
20# wire from Radio shack works fine. Also, for quick prototyping, use
small alligator clips. they can by clipped on the ends of sidings, or in
loops, pressed horizontally into one of the four slots on each side of
the track. Friction holds them in place (in the closed position), and
they don't interfere with the train wheels. (And they're a heckuva lot
cheaper than LEGO train leads!)
<snip>
> > > #5 - Remote controlling an entire layout from a single place seems really
> > > cool, but extremely difficult to do (is it really?)
> >
> > It depends. If the entire layout is a single loop, then maybe not so
> > hard. If it's multiple, independent loops, also not such a big deal.
>
> Interlocking loops may be the best description, but I really don't know. I
> tend to have a loop in every station (4-5), connected by double track to the
> "main" loop.
Well, you could gave a main loop with a set speed, then have people
switch off the main loop onto their own isolated loops. But I don't
think it'd be much fun, since everyone will still be going in circles.
> > > So, now I'm after your personal experiences in the domain "low-tech, low
> > > cost solutions" for train controls. Ideally, I'm tring to control a maximum
> > > of 6 locos, in a *considerable* amount of track sections (each one tends to
> > > be small though, something like 16 straights in length).
> >
> > A pic of your layout would be helpful here.
>
> I will try to e-mail you a .tdl document later.
Please simplify it to its basics, if possible. And a pic is better for
me than a .tdl, as Track Designer has not been ported to the Mac yet. :-(
Also, I should mention that the length of your blocks gives you a trade
off: level of control vs. ease of use. That is to say, many short blocks
will give you more precise control of your trains, but you will spend a
lot of time throwing block control switches. Fewer, longer blocks will
have the opposite effect.
> > If you have a single loop
> > with multiple, isolated track sections, then there may not be a simple
> > solution. Are you trying to operate trains like a DCC system, but
> > without the DCC?
>
> I guess so. I intend to "simulate" a DCC, with pure improvisation. I believe
> I can achieve this with a clever use of logic, but so far I was unable to
> come up with a good solution :-(
I've snipped the rest of your post here, as I'm concerned that you know
not what you ask. I believe you probably could do what you want to do,
in a low-cost, low-tech way. What it will not have is simplicity. What I
think you want is electrical block control, which model railroaders have
used since the 50s. Here's a good, quick article about it. See if this
is what you're talking about:
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/310arewb.asp
If so, you should contact a traditional model train club in your area
(NMRA can help with this), and see if someone has a layout with block
control wiring. Then see if you can get in some operating time on it,
and get them to explain to you how it works.
Failing that, get a copy of:
"Easy Model Railroad Wiring"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0890243492/qid=1021690244/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/002-1937699-9704837
or "How to Wire Your Model Railroad"
http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/exchange-glance/Y04Y6335031Y0606381/qid=1021690244/sr=1-1/002-1937699-9704837
Both should be available at your local library. These will explain
"common-rail wiring," "electrical block control," and "multiple cab
control," with a level of detail and clarity that I would be unlikely to
match.
Once you've read that article, and maybe checked out those books, see if
you still want to try this route. I think it's gonna be your best bet,
if you want to get as complicated as you do (6 locos!).
Good luck!
Rick C.
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Low-tech & low cost controls
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| (...) Huh... I guess I forgot to tell you: there is no such thing as Radio Shack here! Plus, is the US designation the same as in Europe? (...) These I have a couple (from my "little chemist's" pack); I will use them shortly, thank you! (...) (...) (23 years ago, 18-May-02, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Low-tech & low cost controls
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| (...) I will, thank you. BTW, is it possible to use a regular wire (non-LEGO) to make tests? Later I'd replace it with the real stuff, but in order to test faster I may need to use this procedure (if it is possible, what are the specifications of (...) (23 years ago, 17-May-02, to lugnet.trains)
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