Calshot 4mm - SRS's Blog

Very precicely done Jam. Congratulations.

Keeo on forgeing ahead, and keep us up to date. It's been a long time coming, so enjoy.

Thanks Don. I appreciate it.

Which reminds me, I've still got the fiddle yard to build!

Those cut outs are for a SEEP PM-1 point motor?

Indeed. Do you need any to be enlarged?

The one closest to the camera looks too small but it depends how much room you will need. The subframe can go on after you have finished wiring if it makes it easier.

 

Edit: Forgot to mention one of the narrow gauge points has been moved since you would have last seen it so it is not at the rear of the board.

No, they look adequate; the only issue might be getting them square to the point, ensuring that the tie bar can operate satisfactorily and that you can get to the two screw positions to fix them to the underside of the trackbed (recommend No. 3 x 3/8" CSK [or round-head] wood screws for this!)

OK, thanks John.

Is there anything else I need to do before you visit?

Where do you want to control the points from (i.e. position around layout!) (need to consider grooves in the structure in which to lay the wires

)

IIRC, you don't want the LED indication option (for now)?

 

Rough method for laying motorised point:

1. establish precise location on track bed (laying track into it is the best method!)

2. using a fine pencil lead, insert lead into operating hole on tie bar so that it marks the track bed. Operate the point both ways several times so that a line is marked on the track bed.

3. remove the point and drill a 6mm diameter hole through the centre of the marked line; if the line does not totally vanish,try 7mm, 8mm, etc. drills!

4. replace the point, fix and verify that the operating hole never goes outside the drilled hole!

5. continue laying the track until the next point.

then the tricky bit:

1. insert point motor link arm through holes in track bed and tie bar.

2. operate the point whilst lightly holding the point motor. You want the motion of the motor to end up parallel to that of the tie bar!

3. when happy that the mid throw of the point is in the mid throw of the motor, and that their paths are parallel, mark the positions on the mounting hole centres.

4. prepare the marked positions to accept the mounting screws.

5. fix motor in place and verify that by moving its armature, the point operates successfully.

 

think that covers it, but if I (or any other reader) think of anything else, it'll be posted here!

Ideally the layout will be controlled from the fiddle yard. However, if it makes more work for you (i.e. removable control panel and sockets etc) than I'll happily operate it on the front of the layout between where the slipway is and the fiddle yard exit.

 

Correct - I don't need LED indication

 

Thanks for explaining the method of laying the motorised points.

Should I start permanent tracklaying, or just temporarily lay it down to fix the point motors? (Obviously I wouldn't be able to fix the points in place until I've completed the point motor installation!)

 

Thanks John.

 

Despite this having been drawn a few days ago, this plan is wrong due to the narrow gauge siding at the bottom being relocated.