Automatic direction reversal controls

[hon30critter]

rrinker

They had drawbar connections on both ends

Thanks for pointing that out.

Dave

[rrinker]

 Well, since they didn't have turntables in the mines, when coming back OUT, the seat was in the front  They had drawbar connections on both ends. Doubt FRA rules applied to these so they probably didn't mark one end front. 

                               --Randy

 

[hon30critter]

rrinker

if this is modeled after a real thing.

Hi Randy:

It's not modelled after a specific prototype. I have to admit that the engine is a figment of my imagination but I did indeed use the mining locos as an inspiration. I don't anticipate having a lot of 'experts' visit my layout so I'm not worried about the authenticity. I'm doing it as much for my own modelling entertainment as anything.

I do recall the seats facing sideways so I will change that, but the seat will be at the front. I'm sure nobody will complain.

I thought about using the more prototypical link and pin coupling system but I have decided against it. It will be running backwards half of the time so I'm going to use fixed drawbars because I think they will be less prone to derailing in reverse.

I ordered the Tam Valley reversing direction module and a LokPilot Nano decoder this morning. Thanks again for the suggestion.

All the best!

Dave

[rrinker]

 Hmm, not sure what you would call it. It looks like one of the battery locos they used in coal mines. Probably what it was, if this is modeled after a real thing. I've actually ridden behind one down into a coal mine - there are several around here you can visit. The one I was at is narrow gauge, you go down into the mine in carts used to carry the workers down, pulled by one of those electric locos. Up top they also have a small steam loco that pulls you around the side of the mountain to overlook what used to be a surface mining operation. So likely if the railroad needed something to tow around material cars, they just bought one from the company that made them for the mines. Very low, basically a tray of batteries on wheels with a small traction motor, and operator usually sat sideways (across the rails) in a small compartment at the rear. Everything connected with link and pin type drawbars, no automatic couplers on this stuff.

 Now you're giving me ideas. I know they had no such thing at the shops and engine facility here, at least no one has every shown a railed transport system in any photos, but the original purpose - mine tram - hmm.... Even more interesting is that the big breaker that used to be nearby, they used small boxcab electric locos to shift cars around. So I can justify a short stretch of electrified railroad to work the breaker yard.

 

                                 --Randy

 

[hon30critter]

OK, enough farting around!

DCC it is! Tam Valley Depot's train reverser! LokPilot Nano decoder! Headlight! Operating amber beacon! Twelve wheel power pickup!

This shows the first steps in the wiring for the power pickup and the lighting. I am using micro connectors from Litchfield Station:

Here is the link to the micro connectors. They are about half the size of what I was using before:

http://www.litchfieldstation.net/product/header-50-pin-inline-female-50-pin-575-501101/

Note that you have to order the male and female connectors as separate units. The picture is a bit misleading.

Here is a size comparison between the micro connectors and the standard mini connectors:

I'm nuts! This thing will barely be seen as it travels between the roundhouse and the machine shop. It will only be visible for about 12 inches on that route, but I will install a turnout so it can run a few feet between some of the service facility's other buildings. It will only be seen as it passes by the spaces between the buildings. Ya, I'm nuts! BWWAAHAHAHA!! Damn the torpedos! Full speed ahead! (can you tell I'm having fun?!?).

However, I have managed to restrain myself - no sound! Probably a wise decision since a battery powered critter wouldn't likely make any noise unless the batteries exploded. Not going there!

Thanks again for all your input.

Dave

[hon30critter]

Hi guys:

maxman:

Thanks for the Dallee link.

jjdamnit:

The Bachmann set is HO and I am doing the critter in HOn30 (N gauge track). I don't know if they make one in N scale, but for the money I can do the same think in DCC with the Tam Valley controller including the cost of the decoder.

DCC has become a definite possibility (read probability). Initially I thought that I couldn't get a decoder small enough but since then I discovered the LokPilot Nanos. They are 8mm x 7mm x 2.8mm. The gondola is 14mm wide. The decoder could be easily disguised to look like a wooden case or an engine part. If I don't add lighting there don't have to be any wires running between the engine and the gondola where the motor is. The gondola has 8 wheel pickup. The engine does not pickup power. However, me being me, I would likely add lighting and power pickup from the engine wheels. I think a yellow strobe might also be cute even if they may not have been in use in the late 50s. I also really like the Tam Valley controller that Randy pointed out.

I have a somewhat dumb question. I don't know what the proper name is for an industrial engine like the one I am building? Tow motor, maybe? The prototype engine would be battery powered. There is a single seat and no cab. Yes the operator would get wet if it was raining, but it will never rain on my layout so it doesn't matter.

Thanks 

Dave

[rrinker]

 So are all the ones I mentioned except the Tam Valley one. The OP DOES have DCC on his layout, so I see nothing wrong with mentioning the automation capabilities of JMRI and RR&Co.

                --Randy

 

[maxman]

The Dallee is DC.

[jjdamnit]

Hello all,

The OP said DC!

Bachmann makes a point-to-pont auto-reversing system in DC.

This is an eBay listing, but you might find one cheaper.

Hope this helps.

[maxman]

Dallee makes one also: https://www.dallee.com/Basic_Package.html

 

[hon30critter]

Randy:

Thanks for the leads on the direction reversing modules. Lots to choose from.

I wasn't going to go DCC because the tractor engine will be so small. It is 1 9/16" long without the gondola. I could put a tiny decoder on the top of the gondola and disguise it as a load. Hmmm.

Here is the critter beside an HO SW9:

Adding a headlight would be cute too, but that would mean four wires running between the traction motor and the gondola (two for the headlight and two for power pickup from the engine wheels). I'm not sure how well that would track given that the 'train' will be going in reverse half the time.

Cheers!!

Dave

[rrinker]

 Another option, just hook it to the existing DCC and add some sensors and it can be automated with JMRI (though RR&Co Traincontroller may be easier, base on my experience). Friend has a trolley loop with 4 trolleys automated that way.

                      --Randy 

[MisterBeasley]

rrinker

Throw a motor decoder in it and you can use the really nifty one from Tam Valley:

http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/trainshuttle.html

it has adjustable delays at each and AND in the middle and just uses gaps in the rail for detection. It's independent, does not hook to your DCC system, it puts out the DCC signal itself.

That looks like a very nice product.  If I ever build another subway system, it would be fun to automate it with something like that.

[rrinker]

 Azatrax has one

http://www.azatrax.com/back-and-forth.html

DIY ones from Rob Paisley:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/AutoRev4.html

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/AutoRev7.html

Throw a motor decoder in it and you can use the really nifty one from Tam Valley:

http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/trainshuttle.html

it has adjustable delays at each and AND in the middle and just uses gaps in the rail for detection. It's independent, does not hook to your DCC system, it puts out the DCC signal itself.

                             --Randy

 

 

[hon30critter]

Hi everyone:

In my service facility I am going to have a very small HOn30 electric 'motor', or switcher if you will, that will pull a couple of carts in and out of the back of the roundhouse and along a short piece of track to the machine shop and wheel shop. It will be DC. I want to set it up to run automatically back and forth along the track from inside the roundhouse to the wheel shop, perhaps with a pause between runs.

So far the only controllers that I have found are made by Peerless Industries. Walthers lists different models based on the scale. This is the HO model:

https://www.walthers.com/automatic-reversing-unit

Does anyone have any experience with them or other suggestions about how to do what I want? Also, why would there be a different model for HO and N scale? Maximum voltage perhaps? I couldn't find the mfr's website with Google.

Thanks!

Dave