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You must be lucky!

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Germany
  • 1,951 posts
You must be lucky!
Posted by wedudler on Sunday, May 4, 2008 7:15 AM

I wanted to run a few trains. At first I switched a little bit. Then came the grain unit. I throw all turnouts at staging yard, starting point, International Falls. And all turnouts at the end, at South Jct. And slowly I run the train. Suddenly it stopped. And I recognized my big mistake:

 

The first engine has lost contact - and the train stopped. Perhaps it blocked someway. I was lucky, the train did not fall on the floor, 50'' deeper!

This way the train should run:

 

No, until now I've no electrical  device to stop a train with the open bridge.     Smile [:)]

Wolfgang 

 

Pueblo & Salt Lake RR

Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de          my videos        my blog

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Brampton, Ontario
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Posted by Artur on Sunday, May 4, 2008 9:24 AM
looks like the engine gas tank shorted out the track and everything stopped, if it was plastic I think the other engines would have pushed it off the layout.
  • Member since
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  • From: IL
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Posted by zeis96 on Monday, May 5, 2008 1:07 AM
I bet the bridge operator doesn't have a job anymore!

hi

  • Member since
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  • From: Martinez, CA
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Posted by markpierce on Monday, May 5, 2008 1:19 AM

Holey moley!  Consider yourself blessed.

You need to revise the track wiring so power is not provided to approaches to the abyss unless the connecting track is fitted into place.

Mark

  • Member since
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  • From: Ctr. Ossipee NH
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Posted by Red Horse on Monday, May 5, 2008 5:44 AM
Could you hear the tiny screams coming from the locomotives???Shock [:O]
Please visit my Photobucket pics page. http://photobucket.com/Jesse_Red_Horse_Layout I am the King of my Layout, I can build or destroy the entire city on a whim or I can create a whole new city from scratch , it is good too be the King.
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  • From: Methuen, Taxachusetts
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Posted by ArtOfRuin on Monday, May 5, 2008 5:47 AM

I recently saw an HO Big Boy at my local LHS that was undergoing repairs after it had taken a dive off the layout... not pretty.

Glad yours didn't take the plunge!

-Jonathan Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, Is just a freight train coming your way - "No Leaf Clover," Metallica
  • Member since
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  • From: Germany
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Posted by wedudler on Monday, May 5, 2008 1:41 PM

I bet the bridge operator doesn't have a job anymore!

 What shall I do with me ???      Smile [:)]

Perhaps I will install a simple mechanical device, a post.

Wolfgang 

Pueblo & Salt Lake RR

Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de          my videos        my blog

  • Member since
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  • From: Wisconsin
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Posted by wgnrr on Monday, May 5, 2008 1:58 PM

I've done the same thing with a Bachmann 4-8-2 and a P1K RSC-2.

The RSC-2 needed some cosmetic work, as did the 4-8-2 needing a new marker light. However, both models run fine after their fall.

Those are SOOOOO close to falling off, I can't believe it didn't! Definatly a lucky day on the WT.

Phil

My Photo Albums: http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k32/martin_lumber/ http://tinyurl.com/3yzns6
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Posted by 7j43k on Monday, May 5, 2008 2:08 PM

For the end of the bridge shown, you could perhaps install a spring loaded bit of rail that would push onto and contact the bottoms of the two rails of the approach track.  You could also design it so that the bridge, when lowered, would press to "bit of rail" down and away from the track.

Thus if the bridge is open, the track will be shorted and you will run no trains to thePRECIPICE.

 

Ed 

  • Member since
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  • From: Martinez, CA
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Posted by markpierce on Monday, May 5, 2008 3:09 PM

Erfreulicherweise, Dumm gelaufen nicht.

Mark

  • Member since
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  • From: Elmwood Park, NJ
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Posted by trainfan1221 on Monday, May 5, 2008 3:29 PM
Speaking as somebody who has had trains fall off the layout, yeah its better when they don't.  That was an amazing stop, guess it just wasn't meant to be.
  • Member since
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Posted by Don Gibson on Monday, May 5, 2008 3:53 PM

I AGREE WITH MARK:

"You need to revise the track wiring so power is not provided to approaches to the abyss unless the connecting track is fitted into place". - or it'll happen again - also self centering alignment at the joint.

Don Gibson .............. ________ _______ I I__()____||__| ||||| I / I ((|__|----------| | |||||||||| I ______ I // o--O O O O-----o o OO-------OO ###########################
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Posted by Robby P. on Monday, May 5, 2008 6:33 PM
The model train gods were watching that day.  Remeber the saying, "So close, but yet so Far."  Big Smile [:D]

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by HEdward on Monday, May 5, 2008 6:47 PM

79 fully loaded grain hoppers with emergency brakes set, saved the lives of a train crew today.  Meanwhile, back at the dispatch office, everyone is on suspension pending an investigation by the NMRTSB.  Film at eleven. 

My Marx train went flying off the 33" high table when the O-27 tracks seperated on the far end curve.  Now, even tho it is a temp set up, every other track segment has one nail.  The 60 year old train still runs just fine.  No harm, no foul. 

Track inspector seeking new job as highway department pothole relocation supervisor!

Cutting off power to the adjacent zones when the brige is up is good, but what is also needed is a means to prevent the bridge from being lifted when a train is within coasting distance.

Proud to be DD-2itized! 1:1 scale is too unrealistic. Twins are twice as nice!
  • Member since
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  • From: Memphis, TN
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Posted by Packers#1 on Monday, May 5, 2008 8:25 PM
Thank the Lord you was runnin' slow, eh? One guy on another forum wasn't so lucky. 2 of his tunnel motors fell off the layout and crashed. sucks for him.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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