Polar Express Trainsounds

[8ntruck]

Has anybody given any thought on how to seperate the bell function on the PE Trainsounds tender from the Announcement Coach?  They are both activated by the bell function on the transformer.

With the assumption that the announcement would only happen in a station, the only thing I can come up with is to set up a block of track( a 'station block') that will switch between two transformers using a normally on relay.  The relay would be tripped when the locomotive exits the the block, leaving the locomotive on one block and the announcement coach still on the block which is now switched to a second transformer.  Two transformers, two bell switches.

When the whole train clears the 'station block', it would switch back to one transformer, eliminating the ill effects of driving a train across blocks with unmatched power supplies.  OOPS - there is the catch, the lighted PE coaches have two power pickups.  They would bridge the two blocks creating problems as the train pulled off of the 'station block'?

 

[Roger Bielen]

In lieu or two transformers you might be able to use a whistle/bell control button wired only to the station block.

[dougdagrump]

I like Roger's idea. To give yourself a bit more of a "fudge factor" add an express service type boxcar behind the tender even if you have to create your own. Rarely do I ever get them to stop precisely where I want w/o doing something that you shouldn't.

[8ntruck]

Good thought Roger.  Simple is better.

I usually run the baggage car behind the locomotive.  That is an unlighted car, so it would borvide some flexibility in positioning the train on the block.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[8ntruck]

One more thought - use one transformer to power both blocks, and use a whistle/bell controller on each block to control the announcement coach parked on one block, and the bell/whistle on the locomotive parked on the other block.