Kiwi_Ed

Finally made it to the end of this topic! What an inspiration. I would have liked to have seen more models, but nevertheless it was a joy! Is there also such a topic on other wagons? I have time to spare now I'm finished with this one

Forgot to say that in my comment. I was planning to mount the servo vertically. Not only would it reduce the rowing action (like that expression!), but in my opinion also easier to mount and combine with the microswitch. I'll try to keep your comment in mind about the springiness of the wire when looking for suitable wire! Any suggestions? I see 'piano wire' mentioned on several places, but what exactly piano wire is is a mystery to me.. If I look inside our piano at home, it's full of wires of different gauges!

Great stuff! I hadn't thought about the strain that a servo could put on the tie bar. Obviously a big risk.. I was however thinking of connecting the servos to the point similar to this picture: (source: http://www.housatonicrr.com/const_journal_11.htm ) To me this looks similar to what the Merg mount does, which is allowing the servo to swing to its full reach but because the wire pivots in the small hole, the swing at the tie bar end is much less (ignore the long piece of wire on the point end, this is obviously going to be shorter once installed. see website above). You probably need to do a bit of experimenting to figure out the distance between the point and the small hole to get the perfect balance. Other than that I was thinking of using some sort of stopper blocks to physically stop the swing of the servo in case it does decide to go mad.. This might strip the gears of the servo, but it's a lot cheaper to replace one servo than a code 55 point.. I've also seen other ways of linking the servo to the points that allow for the servo to move full swing without directly transferring the moved distance directly to the point (I hope you can follow what I'm saying as I can't explain it any clearer..). Anyway, I have some components on order from the far east, I have had a Arduino Mega in the drawer for a while without it being used, so in a couple of weeks when all the stuff arrives I need to set up some sort of test and have a play with all this! I'll probably try the microswitch set-up first as that is a lot simpler to wire. If I find that this isn't reliable enough I need to work on a more sophisticated solution. Thanks again for all your help and inspiration! Ed

Hi Nick, thanks for the explanation! I figure you don't control your relays through the arduino? What I liked about the code earlier in this topic is that it can be used both analogue with toggle switches and digital, in my case with my Multimaus. I just like toggle switches, ever since I saw the first model railway control panel as a child, and having the option of throwing a point directly from the Multimaus is just a nice extra! If I understand your explanation correctly you power your relay banks from a 5V buswire (the same as what is powering your servo's, I guess.) and there is only one wire running back to the control panel to switch the relay. I'll have to look into this because I can probably live with one extra wire... Even though I still need to figure out a way to tie it in with the 'analogue/digital servo code' but that can't be too hard! Can you please clarify what you mean by 'reliably switching of microswitches'? The scale wouldn't make a difference to this (I'm modelling in N) as the arm of the servo would be changing the switch (see picture)? Or is there something about microswitches that they don't always switch, causing shorts on the frogs?

Brilliantly interesting, Nick! The two main reasons that keep me from using relays are wiring and simplicity (or crudeness if you prefer...). In my mind (not very electronically educated) the micro switches can be wired directly from the DCC buswire, saving an awful lot of wires running back and forth between the control panel or arduino to the frogs. (see attached picture). Either the servo is pressing the microswitch, causing it to close the Normally Open (NO) connection or the switch will be released going back to the Normally Closed (NC) connection. Either way (depending on what side of the servo you place the switch) will connect the frog to the right polarity. Please correct me if I am wrong and miss something! With relays, I suppose it works slightly different, where you need an extra wire from somewhere to power the relay to make the switch. Doing this through the arduino will also take up connections, which could be used for something else. Having said this, a relay might be more reliable. Again, not very electronically educated, correct me if I am wrong.. Am I wrong to think that these cheap relays needs to be powered constantly to keep the connection closed? Would that not burn out the coil? In my quests on that certain site I found that latching relays are a lot more expensive.. Thanks again for all your feedback! I'll go and have a look on your blog now

Hi Simon, thanks for yout reply. I was initially thinking of using micro switches, the simplest and cheapest solution. But having noticed that these little relay boards are selling fairly cheaply on ebay I might go for this more elegant solution. I would love to see this in action though, do you know anybody that does it like that? Thanks again, Ed

Hello all, first of all sorry to wake this topic up again... But as I am finally ready to start building my layout I have a question about this setup: Did anybody found a suitable solution for changing the frog's polarity? I am pretty sure that I might have more questions once I start playng with this, but so far it still is the best setup I've seen!

Hello Markus, Thanks for clarifying that. Can I be very cheeky by asking if you have a photo of the shunting pole? (or even better: a youtube clip..) Also still very curious about that long vehicle. Thanks! Ed

You can never have enough shunters, Adrian!

Hello Markus, Just spend some time reading through your topic and watching the Youtube clips. What a wonderful layout! I especially like the idea of building the layout on (standard) modules allowing you to have some flexibility in setting up your layout and also being able to set it up in a Fremo setting. It's a pity nobody in Ireland is doing Fremo.. Anyway, what I would like to ask you is how do you uncouple your wagons? I can see you doing a few shunting moves in the youtube clips and I guess that you very cleverly cut the actually uncoupling bit out of the video, but as you are using standard Rapido couplings I was wondering how you (un)couple them. The reason I am asking is that I am planning a layout where I would like to do some shunting (using cards similar to the Fremo ones) but as the Rapido couplings don't allow for easy shunting I was pondering on buying some B&B or DG couplings or something similar. But than again, this would add more work and cost to my layout which is already on a budget, so if there is an other way that would be great! Also: what is that big long wagon that is showing up in several of the clips? Thanks a lot! Ed

Adrian, thanks for sharing these trips to Mortimore's Yard with us, truly enjoying them!

Hello lads, Let me start by saying how much I am enjoying this layout, I keep coming back to it ever so often reading it from the first post to the last. I love the craftsmanship and atmosphere of this layout. Looking at the post on the previous page showing the end profile I am very curious what the single line on the back (right on the picture) of the layout is. I don't see this on the trackplan so I am wondering what the purpose of this line is. Is it a MI5 secret line to transport the queen and government to safety in time of crises or is it simple a way of running a train from one fiddle yard to the other without crossing the scenic section?

Hello Adrian, Compliments on your layout! Very happy for have found this topic and I'm sure to be following your progress. I'm a big fan of layouts that have an operational purpose, I think it makes 'playing with trains' a whole lot more interested. You've probably come across this one yourself but this is the topic that really made me realise that I needed a layout which actually had a purpose (instead of just a thing to watch trains run by): http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/73204-along-the-chapeltown-loop And yours is definitely up there with it! Keep up the good work and thanks for more inspiration! Edwin

Thanks Jason, looking forward to seeing some pictures of the weathering!

Hello Jason, It took me a couple of weeks to read the whole topic back-to-front and then front-to-back again. But it was well worth it! The layout is absolutely stunning and I've learned loads reading through all the pages. I can't wait to build a row of grotty looking houses.. Any chance of showing a step-by-step of you weathering, because yours is a piece of art as well!? Keep up the great work! Edwin so, now back to catching up with the rest of rmweb

Hello Dave, Thanks for sharing this with us. This is exactly (to the last detail..) what I want for my layout; toggle switches controlling servos and at the same time being able to control the turnouts with my DCC controller. The only thing I would add is a LED route-indicator on my control board. But from what I have read about Arduino that should be peanuts compared to what you have done here. After a lot of dithering I am finally sure that I will get an Arduino and will control my points with servos instead of point motors. According to my calculations that would save me about half the price on every turnout, even more if it is a crossover... When I have my Arduino and servose etc. I will definitely pm you for the code, thanks a lot! Do you have any update on the progress of this? Have a nice day! Edwin

I am always so glad my boss has a office of his own...

Hmm.. Leon, you're fast. Here I am feeling all stupid because in the meantime I found the plan on page 4 and it is very clear... I thought I had never seen a track plan of your layout, but apparently I just missed it, should have looked a bit further before I posted the question. But, nevertheless, a very inspiring layout!

Hello Leon, This layout is only getting better and better every time I log in. But I'm completely lost on your track plan... Is there any chance you can post a picture showing the whole layout or maybe a new track plan? All the best! Edwin