automatic switching

[rockn77]

Has anyone ever rigged a switch to change by itself?  I was wanting to use a reverse loop with one switch... as soon as the last car is clear the switch automatically goes in the opposite direction.  That way I would never have to bother with that switch.  Maybe someone out there has an idea?

Rob

 

 

[chuck]

The automatic non-derail function on most electrically controlled switches will do this.

[kpolak]

Lionel 022 (O-gauge), and 1122 (O-27) switches are made to be non-derailing (automatic).  The 1121 needs some creative wiring.

Kurt

[Pappy]

The automatic non-derail function on most electrically controlled switches will do this.

My guess is that rockn77 is asking about the train coming from the opposite direction through the switch as opposed to coming from the side of the non-derail function.  But I may be wrong and misunderstood.

This is what I'm picturing: - With the first trip around the loop he wants the train to go straight through the switch.  On the second time around he wants the train to switch to the right or left.  On the next trip through the switch he wants it to go straight.  He does not want to do the switching himself from the switch controller, he wants it to automatically switch to the opposite direction every time the train passes through the switch.

A possible solution would be to use infared sensors.  Place one a short distance from the switch on the incoming side.  Each time the train passes the sensor the switch could move to the opposite direction.  Some problems that could come up is if the sensor "sees" above a flat car and thinks the next car is a new train and tries to flip the switch or if the sensor "sees" below a car, between the track and the bottom of the car.  There are many variables to this possible solution; place 2 sensors after the switch, time delays, etc.

[chuck]

If you have a single track and a single switch with a loop, the train will reverse by itself just using the non derail function.  The train will alternate clockwise/counterclockwise on every trip through the loop.

[rockn77]

Pappy you are correct.  Chuck may have the answer but I don't know what a non derail function is.   I just want the switch to change directions everytime my train is finished going by.  Does that make sense? 

I'll look up and see what the non derail function does.  Maybe that's my answer.

Thanks guys! 

 

[marxalot]

While you can use the sensors, Chuck is correct in that any switch with the non-derail feature will do the job. You can use the link below to view some wiring diagram information for the "Z- Stuff for Trains" DZ1000 controller. I saw just what you have at a train show layout. I asked just whose switch was used and was told a Curtis. I do not think Curtis is still available but Ross is just like it.....of course Lionel units have that feature too.

http://www.z-stuff.net/Non-derailing.htm

Jim

 

[phillyreading]

Not sure if this is what you may want but have you tried wiring a pair of switches together with a two conductor wire, the train goes thru one switch and throws the other switch to the oposite direction to let the train go thru the secondary track next time thru the switch and when it goes thru the switch again it throws the switch to the main track.  This method will work on 022 post war switches and some 027 switches, on 022 the two outside terminals need to be wired together don't wire in the center terminal, on 027 switches the two terminals that have plastic under them get wired together.

I got a little lazy in the layout design and wired my 027 switches together so that both switches turn straight or curved at the same time, I am running two trains on that track and using block wiring.

Lee F.

[eZAK]

Rob,

It depends on the switch you!

The non-derailing feature Chuck mentioned is probaly what you will need. In this case the engine will trip the switch avoiding a derailment.

A easier way would be to use the switch w/o a sw. mach. The engine will push the points to the direction it is going. I use this method on one of my rev. loops.