Garden Railway Forum

Been working on making outdoor points throw at a more prototypical speed for my RWLR and here is my progress so far (click the picture for the video):



Look forward to your opinions

Cheers,

Tom
RWLR

Very Nice, I like it! - So come on then, how've you done that?

Narrow Minded:57485 wrote:Very Nice, I like it! - So come on then, how've you done that?

That's fine indoors........................

If it's going outdoors and if (as I suspect) the motor is underneath, then this could cause a whole LOAD of problems!!

Thanks Narrow Minded for my only positive response on this idea so far

If it's going outdoors and if (as I suspect) the motor is underneath, then this could cause a whole LOAD of problems!!

Problems are to be solved my dear fellow and I have resolved them (well I think anyway!)

The motor is mounted underneath, however, it is not directly under the point or the hole drilled for the point rodding so no rain water can get to it.

My line is raised and covered in roofing felt (ballast to follow later) so with an adequate motor enclosure (it actually comes with a dust cover so might adapt that) sealed from the elements it should be fine.

Ballast will not effect the movement of the point as I have stuck guide rails between the point throw arms.

I could even wire this up for DCC operation and use a laptop

Will post more pics when I get a chance.

Cheers,

Tom
RWLR

That sounds like an interesting project, could you show some of the workings please?

Here are some more pics as requested:





Very simple to be honest. The motor's design allows a protective case (or the dust cover included in the packaging) to be added to protect it against the elements.

I am waiting on a different point decoder for DCC operation at the moment as my NCE Switch 8 from my OO layout does not provide enough mA's for the motor to operate.

Cheers,

Tom
RWLR

is that a Fulgarex Tortoise point machine?

bessytractor:57711 wrote:is that a Fulgarex Tortoise point machine?

Sorry, yes it is a Fulgarex point motor.

I have used Tortoise for OO, however, the Fulgarex was mentioned in another forum and seems to be alright (does not stick out for miles under the trackbed either) despite reviews from people saying they are not up to the job.  Cheaper as well!

Digitrax do a decoder called a DS64 that I have seen working with Fulgarex motors and this can also be wired up to LocoNet for use with a computer although for the moment I am just going to use a DCC command station that I use with my OO trains.  

I like the idea of the kids and non-railway folk having involvement in running the trains so this is my reason for looking into this

Cheers,

Tom
RWLR

Looks like a nice project, hope it works out ok.

When you say slow action motors, just how slow are they?
My only input is that in my experience slow action points are more suited to Clamp lock or HPSS style point motors in real life. Manual rodded points in standard gauge at least go across at a good pace (You had to to get the FPL in or get detection). Of course the peco style solinoid point machines go across as fast as the highly dangerous real life air operated points.

Pendo Pilot click the picture of the point in my first post and it should load a video of the motor in action?

Cheers,

Tom
RWLR

That is a very neat package.

A sweet idea chap - liking it

Now to develop a ground-level point mech?

tom_tom_go:57716 wrote:Pendo Pilot click the picture of the point in my first post and it should load a video of the motor in action?

Can't get it to work on this pc at the moment, will check later.

Pendo Pilot:57715 wrote: the highly dangerous real life air operated points.
 ;)

Slightly OT - were you being serious there? If so, why? I come from a background with oooodles of EP points and trainstops. They're quick, granted, which is why LT used so many of them: route calling and priming takes at least twice as long with Westo M motors.

I've always hated air setups from my M.O.M days with failtrack, just the ones I have dealt with around Bescot seem very brutal & baring them over wasnt the nicest experience. Thankfully mostly went over to HPSS before I left that side of things.

I've never heard the word "thankful" used about HPSS before hateful things.

bessytractor:57734 wrote:I've never heard the word "thankful" used about HPSS before hateful things.

Especially the two levers you have to hold together whilst pumping at the same time if I recall. However they didnt try & take your hand off if you coupled them up the wrong way or the signalman was being a numpty.

I reckon that could be easily adapted to be mounted to the side of the turnout, hidden / disguised under a waterproof lineside "featere" and connected to the end of the tie bar

Time to start Googling for the best prices on Fulgurex motors .......

Hi yes the motor can be mounted top side as long as it's fixed down securely otherwise the point throw will just drag the motor with it

I got mine from my usual supplier http://www.dccsupplies.com/

Have I started a revolution?

Cheers,

Tom
RWLR

Pendo Pilot:57738 wrote:

bessytractor:57734 wrote:I've never heard the word "thankful" used about HPSS before hateful things.

Especially the two levers you have to hold together whilst pumping at the same time if I recall. However they didnt try & take your hand off if you coupled them up the wrong way or the signalman was being a numpty.  ;)

doing a datum reset on them takes about 15 mins and umpteen swings from the signaller, time consuming lol.