|
Crossposted to trains and trains.org for more visibility as I feel this is
pretty exciting stuff!
In lugnet.org.us.lucny, John Barnes writes:
> Hi !
>
> I like the overall scheme, although my knowledge in the general area of
> trains and buildings etc is very sketchy yet.
>
> But I am very keen to incorporate/infuse Mindstorms "stuff" into layout
> automatation. I loved the jam-proof motorized point mechanism - it obviously
> opens the door to automated routing.
>
> I have a modest number of RCXs (I think I collect them like people collect
> train motors ;) so it is quite in order to consider building an experimental
> automated section of a layout. I am happy to make them available.
>
> My suggestion would be that we allocate either an inner loop or outer loop
> which is mainly seperate from other bits of the layout to try this kind of
> stuff out. I would suggest an outer loop because I think it may be possible,
> by use of track section isolation, to have more than one train on the loop
> at the same time, perhaps a passenger train and a freight train.
>
> Since I make the sensors, I can make as many as we need ;) So I think we
> could do a really bang up job as a kind of show case demonstration of what's
> possible.
>
> I assume that someone is familiar enough with trackside buildings to know
> what the best way is to disguise the train sensors - which are 1 1/3 high
> black bricks facing length ways toward the track.
There are a myriad of small trackside buildings that can be used, as well as
equipment cabinets etc which are used for prototype signalling/switching
control. These are often grey or silver, so if your sensor bricks are grey
they can be part of a cabinet quite easily.
> Any idea how to disguise all the wires that are going to appear. They could
> look really ugly unless we hide them. Are there any parts that a model gas
> pipeline could be built from to hide the wires inside perhaps? Of course,
> I'd just make my own ;) Small radius castle arches clamping over some split
> black or grey ABS tube might work.
Other clubs run wires underneath baseplates, or in the case of modular,
route them internally to the modules. Your ideas sound neat... I have not
yet seen them in practice but they should work.
> I look forward to hearing more. I am endeavoring to obtain some limited
> supplies of track, switches and train wheels so I can experiment with
> isolation schemes etc etc. The "official" track connectors (thanks for the
> donation by the way!) seem hard to find, even on ebay, so I may make some
> combo isolation/connection track pieces. Should this be a mix of curves and
> straights do you think?
>
> LMKWYT
>
> JB
|
|
Message has 2 Replies:
Message is in Reply To:
6 Messages in This Thread:
- Entire Thread on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
This Message and its Replies on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
|
|
|
|