Quick and hopefully easy question. I want to build a simple, straight, point-to-point line of about 8 feet using LGB track. I know they make a reversal loop section set but apparently this won't meet my need. I'm not skilled at re-wiring so does anybody make track sections I can just put on each end of standard LGB track sections for back and forth operation? Thanks.
Both LGB and Aristo and a few others make Auto Reverse units. I have one of the LGB units and it runs great. It has two timer adjustment knobs. One adjustment for "travel time" and the other for "station wait time". Comes with two short (~ 4 inch ?) track sections with a (diode ??? small piece of electronics ???) that only allows DC current to flow in one direction. Figure out where you want the "Prime Mover" to stop. In my case it is a street car. Place a section of track about 3 inches longer than your street car / engine beyound the short section of track. I wanted my street car to wait longer than the longest wait time available so I just turned up the travel time. Street car runs up my bridge (see photos in the link) pulls into the shed at the top of the bridge and waits for about 4 1/2 minutes. then runs down hill to the station and waits for about 6 minutes before going back up hill. The difference in the wait times is due to the 17% grade climbing the bridge. Works hard to make the climb and then almost wants to slide down the steep grade to the station. At one train show about 5 years ago there was a vendor (Split Jaw ???) that had a more advanced unit that would stop and wait at each end, also would stop and wait at, I think, two intermediate stops as well as control a turn out so that two engines would park side by side at each end of the point to point rail line. About 10 years ago these units went for about $150, I'm sure more than that now.
Tom Trigg
Perhaps something like the Dallee Automatic Back-N-Forth would serve your needs.
Update to my previous post. Today I went to my not so local hobby shop. 1 & 1/2 hours down the freeway. After making my selection of three R-3 turnouts and two boxes of 1.5 meter track, I saw an LGB Auto Reverse unit marked "Discontinued" & $325.50. At home a quick search proved that it was discontinued a few years ago. I would suggest an internet search for phone numbers of shops within a 100 miles, or so, of your location and calling to see if they have any units of any brand. If not successful then go to as many train selling shows as possible to see if you find something there.
I'm building the same type of point to point that'll be adjacent to my layout. Trolley line will be about 15 feet but what I wanted to share was the Piko Analog Reversing unit. Looks very easy to hook up (I'm running LGB track, too) and the price is around $150 (Trainworld.com) I'm going ahead and getting one after searching for a little better price. That LGB unit you saw is WAAAAAY overpriced! Hope this helps, Tom.
Lynn Fairbanks
My point 2 point trolly line has been in operation for 18+ years. As has been noted both the LGB and Piko units are 'on full ahead - dead stop' function. You will want to run your trolley at the almost minimun speed it is capable of doing smoothly. #1. looks more realistic. #2 prevents 'gear crash'. The sudden stop is a shock to the gears, and will even spin gears off the drive shaft.
Check out Railroad Concepts' reverser. It offers gradual starts and stops. Price is around $100. Dallee's stuff will do that as well, though it's a combination of products which allow you to do that.
I did a series on automation in the garden starting with the August '12 issue of GR. Part 1 covered back-and-forth controls such as what we're discussing here.
Later,
K
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month