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Reverse point to point HO DCC Engine

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  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Thursday, October 3, 2019 10:11 AM

If the engine will only be doing some back and forth, I would just pull out the decoder. But if the decoder works in DC, it should work with the circuitron device in DC mode. 

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Posted by Halfarat on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 8:12 PM
Thanks for the info . I will retire my HO set completely . It was the only HO among 3 O gauge trains on the layout . I will put an O gauge handcar with Hayes bumpers in the open spot on the platform.
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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 10:07 AM

Sounds like it was more like PEBCAK errors driving him nuts. I thought the manual explained the setup pretty well, but then, not everyone can read. 

Remember when it first appeared, there was another name - something like "aka the Professor Quieter" or something - I think the whole thing was built as a response to a challenge by a very active poster on another forum.

As an alternative, it may not be too difficult to take the DCC++ DIY thing and add some code to do what this did. Maybe a second Arduino to avoid code issues with the DCC packet generation. Would be pretty simple, actually, some inputs to read the block sensors, and just have it send commands to the DCC++ board based on that setting whatever loco address you were using to either go forward at a certain speed step, reverse at a certain speed step, or stop. No need to calculate DCC packets, the DCC++ system handles that for you.

Could probably do the same with an Arduino and a WiFi interface, if you already have a WiFi interface to the DCC system. You would generate WiThrottle protocol commands to drive the loco, with the same inputs hooked up to the block sensors.

                          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 8:27 AM

That discontinued Tam Valley device would have been perfect for a re-vamped subway, running point-to-point in forward reverse mode.  It appeared, though, that they had a lot of trouble with them and finally dropped the product.

I hope someone else makes something like this, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Halfarat on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 7:21 PM
Thanks. The Engine is an HO DCC so I guess the Circuitron product won’t work ? I guess I’ll just retire the HO set
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Posted by snjroy on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 1:32 PM

Circuitron sells a kit at a reasonable price. DC only. We installed one at the club but it was a bit of a hassle to get it working properly. Tinkering is involved... Otherwise, it works great. 

Simon

  • Member since
    September 2019
  • 5 posts
Posted by Halfarat on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 12:18 PM
Would like the DCC engine to shuttle like a trolley. Don’t have any room for loops. Thanks.
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    September 2019
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Posted by Halfarat on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 12:16 PM
Thanks. It appears that the Tan Valley devise would do the shuttle activity I was looking for. Unfortunately it was discontinued
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 10:50 AM

  Tam Valley has a DCC shuttle device that can do all sorts of things with DCC locos.

                         --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 9:36 AM

Do you mean a shuttle, like a trolley that reverses automatically and goes backwards the other way?  Or do you mean a train that goes through a reverse loop and keeps going straight ahead but in the other direction?

There are devices that will do the trolley shuttle, but they only work in DC.

The reverse loops can be done with DCC, and you can automatically control the turnout positions, too.

You should be able to do either with Bachman track.

By the way, welcome to the forums.  Welcome As new member, you will be moderated for a few posts to make sure you're not a bot of some sort.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    September 2019
  • 5 posts
Reverse point to point HO DCC Engine
Posted by Halfarat on Monday, September 30, 2019 9:58 PM

Retiring all my HO trains from the layout. In favor of O gauge. . Would like to have a DCC Ho engine just run from point to point and reverse.to take up space on the platform.  Ist this doable with standard Bachman  HO Track.? What do I need .?  Reversing  track? Switches? Help !!!  I am a neophete to all this fun. 

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