RWLR - Robin Wood Light Railway

[Dwayne]

Neat... don't think it'll work with my link & pin couplers

[Dwayne]

Neat... don't think it'll work with my link & pin couplers

[tom_tom_go]

You can say that again Dwayne

[ge_rik]

Just been catching up with the thread. Really like the fine control the inertia wagon gives, coupled with (ooops sorry) the auto-uncouplers and your spring-loaded points it makes for some impressive running.

Next phase - computer control of the transmitter....

Rik

[Andrew]

Very impressive! It was enough to make me consider converting to choppers for a moment... I'll just have to get really proficient with my shunting pole...

Cheers,

Andrew.

[tom_tom_go]

The running session was a bit of a fiddle so I can see most people not being that impressed (you get the camera set up and then things always go wrong).  I never got to film a complete run around from start/finish as the loco can go into the station either forwards/backwards as the uncoupler arms attached to the choppers are bent so that only one hits the block of wood when traveling over it.

It might be my version of the inertia wagon but it's not great at slow shunting speeds (works well once going though so if you have a continuous run then it's ideal).  Once the Lady version of the SSP slomo is released and fitted to my locos my railway setup will work better I think.

Next phase - computer control of the transmitter....  ;)
Rik

As IT is my job Rik I try and steer clear from technology railway wise as it gives me a break from it, however, I might do something clever with signal control as I have recently been given an Arduino device which allows control of just about anything electronic:

https://www.arduino.cc/

[LNR]

Tom, couldn't help but notice the excellent control you have with your loco already, that video is intriguing to watch. I guess the Slo-Mo will make it that much more predictable.
Grant.

[tom_tom_go]

Tom, couldn't help but notice the excellent control you have with your loco already, that video is intriguing to watch. I guess the Slo-Mo will make it that much more predictable.
Grant.

This video shows off the slow running ability of the wagon better:

[Peter Butler]

Excellent control there, even the fairly tight loop has no effect on the running.
I can hear the wind gusting in your area but it appears to be dry there. The call of the Gulls is a nice background noise added to the Chuffer and whistle.... you have it all.

[tom_tom_go]

Apologies if I keep harping on about my uncoupling ideas, but I think I have finally cracked it!

The raised block of wood in the middle of track had to go as not only did it prevent my Regner from running due to fouling the chassis but yesterday I discovered that the firebox on my Riverdale Amy also cannot pass due to the height.

If you are a SMT subscriber you would of seen in the latest issue the article of using a solenoid motor under the track to lift a ramp to uncouple a modified Accucraft chopper coupling.  Great idea, but I would need my setup to be R/C which would be achievable as Rik has proved on here using Deltang/Picaxe equipment with great results.

But before I started investing in this idea I had one last look at the Neodymium magnets I bought a while back for magnetic uncoupling.  With the addition of ball bearings attached to the modified choppers and the magnet raised a little higher it finally works:








Once chemically blackened the couplers will look like they have counter-weights fitted to them

[tom_tom_go]

We have had a few posts on here recently regarding where our railway folk go for their number two's so I was wondering if this passes as a workman WC:



I decided this coach was far too large for my little line so it has been relegated to the sidelines for staff shelter and storage:




The timber sleeper supports will weather over time along with the coach.

[ge_rik]

That is neat - and looks realistic - don't some choppers have a counterbalance weight like that?

I've been trying to figure out the mechanics (or whatever the equivalent is for magnetic flux). Interesting that it uncouples at the LH end of the magnet  - I suppose at the RH end and in the middle the magnetism is pulling the ball bearing, and hence the chopper, downwards???

Fascinating. Always something to learn about really diverse stuff in this hobby. I think Railway Modelling should be on the school curriculum........

Rik

EDIT: PS - Just been thinking. if the magnet was a bit shorter (or transverse), would it be able to uncouple two choppers? Interesting.

PPS - Just seen Tom's comment about counterbalance weights in the original post - clearly thinking along similar lines

[LNR]

Well I reckon that definitely qualifies as a workman's WC, the boss told the builder "don't make it too comfortable, so they don't stay too long"
Grant.

[tom_tom_go]

That is neat - and looks realistic - don't some choppers have a counterbalance weight like that?

I could not find any examples online, however, I think it has been mentioned on here in the past that there are prototypical examples (Swift Sixteen model a bob weight on their offering of a chopper coupling).

EDIT: PS - Just been thinking. if the magnet was a bit shorter (or transverse), would it be able to uncouple two choppers? Interesting.

I have managed to get both choppers to uncouple using one magnet with each chopper having a ball bearing attached to it, however, it requires the arms connected to the ball bearing to be bent inwards towards the sole bar back a fair bit so they do not collide when magnetised.  One chopper is simpler in operation and have not experienced uncoupling mishaps so far with just one in use.

And now for something completely different:

[jim@NAL]

excellent way of coupling / uncoupling I like that a lot .the rusty wc is great too

[ge_rik]

Very different. I like the tortoise-like action. Could it also be triggered by push buttons sending the channel low or mid?


Rik

[tom_tom_go]

Hi Rik,

The Ardunio is very versatile so using push button switches would not be a problem.  In the code you would just look for a HIGH or LOW state.

On the transmitter I am planning to use the 'Bind' button for a servo attached to a signal that will mimic realistic signal bounce like the below:

https://youtu.be/m6MmCO9eTKU?t=1m44s

I appreciate this is not of interest to most people at it is programming and electronics, however, happy to write this all up if anyone is interested as there is quite a bit going on behind the scenes

[ge_rik]

Have you considered using one of these cheapo remote control handsets?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400752673830

Ten quid for twelve relay controlled outputs seems pretty good value to me.

Rik

EDIT - Just noticed you'll be using the bind button. The cheapo Tx/Rx was a suggestion if you were thinking of adding more signals etc

[philipy]

I appreciate this is not of interest to most people at it is programming and electronics, however, happy to write this all up if anyone is interested as there is quite a bit going on behind the scenes

I for one would certainly be interested in a blow by blow account of using the arduino, please Tom.

[sjnovis]

I too would be very interested in learning more about how electronics like this can be incorporated into a railway.