Automating a wye turn arround OMG Head Explode (sorry, last bit is inside joke)

[Anonymous]

Well first, can it be done?

I want a wye turnarround that ends with a passenger train backed into a station

Then I want it to wait a few minutes, Then leave the station.

I have found a collections of circuits and sensors and references to Snap Relays, and reversing loops but I'm getting a little dizzy from it all.

My goal is to have 2 layouts (each a seperat station area) seperated by a very long connecting layout (1 foot by 12 foot. like a bookshelf). One end I can do a reversing loop and have no problem with that. The other end needs to more or less represent Londons St. Pancras Station, so that means backing the train in. I guess I'm getting greedy, but I would love to be able to automate the layout to run the route one for the push of a button or continuously, pausing a few minutes at each of the stations.

So, has anyone done it?

Any help on the matter would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Chris

[SpaceMouse]

DCC or DC.

There's a computer program that Big RedneckRob as asking about in his Opinions Please post. That might do it for you.

[Anonymous]

DC

Was hoping to stay away from DCC because it is new and it scares me. Change is evil.

[SpaceMouse]

Conceivably you could send a train into a wye. when the train reaches the end of the wye, it trips a photo cell which changes the turnout and reverses the polarity of the track all the way to the station.

When the train reaches the station, it trips another photocell which kills power to the track and activates a timer. When the timer goes of, it switches the polarity of the track and an changes the turnout. The particulars you have to work out.

I'm sure there are other ways to do it.

[Anonymous]

Don't know if there's any other computer here (come on, there must be), but you could think of your layout as a fininte state machine, Chris. This is essentially what SpaceMouse is describing. If this is a simple enough layout, you can just do a table of all the various states for each switch and the voltage direction of each track segment. Then you just need to wire it all together with the right logic. In a sense you'd be building a computer, all be it a very specialized one.

[nfmisso]

Circuitron has the circuitry for this application ready to go, see walthers.com

[roadrat]

I would think that you have a better chance of pulling this off with DCC and/or a computer.
check some of the DCC web sites.

bill

[oleirish]

GEZZZZZ!!What happned to inselateing the three legs of the Y and useing a DPDT in conjuction with an block switch????????????
I guess I'am getting old.[:(][:)][;)]
JIM

[nfmisso]

Jim;

That is basically what the Circuitron stuff is, using relays and a sensors of your choice.

[oleirish]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nfmisso

Jim;

That is basically what the Circuitron stuff is, using relays and a sensors of your choice.

OK [^]thanks for info,what is the cost of this??[:)]
JIM

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nfmisso

Jim;

That is basically what the Circuitron stuff is, using relays and a sensors of your choice.

Providing Circuitron has an integrated timer, I suppose you are right. However, unless you have the logic down, you will not be able to choose the correct product. Certainly the AR1 would do the first leg of the automation, but then on the second you would want to incororate the additional functions of shutting down the track and starting a timer. Does the AR1 have momentary capabilities?

At the same time you exit the station and set the track for your exit, you should probably reset the first track's polarity and throw the switch to accept incoming trains.

I submit that merely telling a person to look a Circuitron is not enough of an answer. It may be a leead, but not an answer. Telling a person which circuits in which sequence, etc. is an answer.

I don't mean this a repremand, rather it is just too easy to assume that if a person is given a bunch ob building blocks, that the person will know how to choose the correct ones to solve the problem.

[davekelly]

I am currently trying to figure out a similar set up for a subway system. The Circuitron AR-1 could be used to reverse the direction of the train, but I think the AR-2 would be a better solution as it has an adjustable delay. The AR-1CC is interesting as it is designed to control a Reverse Loops, which I'm thinking could also be used for a wye. In order to through the turnouts, the Circuitron TC-2 or 4 could be used in conjunction with their detection ciruits (DT4) depending on whether you are using twin coil or tortoise type switch machines.

I have obtained a few of these products and am currently playing around with them to see what works best, but I'm quite a ways from coming up with a complete solution (too many other projects ahead of it). It could get pricey which is why I scan ebay periodically looking for the Circuitron products. Way back when Model Railroader ran an article diagraming the circuit needed to reverse a train's direction including a delay. I believe the circuit would control up to three stops.