caboose marker lights

[Riley B]

is there a way to install Utah Pacific caboose marker lights that will turn on when leaving the caboose track and turn out when entering the caboose track ? 

[RR_Mel]

I use magnetic latching reed switches in my cabooses.  I can also turn the power to the storage tracks.

 

 

If you are operating on DCC you can use a function decoder.

 

Check your PM

 

 

Mel

 

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

 

[MisterBeasley]

Mel, how do you activate the feed switches?  Do you use a magic wand device, or a track-mounted magnet?

I could see a track magnet, but I don't know how foolproof that could be.

[RR_Mel]

The only way that’s reliable is the hand wand.  I tried several attempts at mounting a magnet above and it depends on the direction and particular cars.  I wasn’t smart enough to mount every reed switch with the same polarity.  I makes a difference which was the magnet is moved past the switch along with the closeness to the switch.

 

They irritated me at first but it sure beats installing a normal switch.  I have used micro switches operated with the roof top stove vent, I used a cam on the pipe to operate the switch, works great but a PITA to install.  The vent top normal is the lights on and 90° is off.

 

I’ll look around to see if I can find a picture of a installed micro switch.

 

I have the reed switches in all of my old timers coaches and most of my cabooses and they all work very good.

 

I also use the reed switches in my passenger baggage cars to override the Function decoder when I’m operating in DC mode.  I’m more into DC operation than DCC but the Function decoders really work slick for special features onboard.

 

Mel

 

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.