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That's it :-) Thanks Suzie. Now just need to find suitable small 5V servo. You are a Star :-)

So I have now looked at servos and it seems the way to go. The mechanical movement given the correct physical orientation could pull the bar. So this is probably a true newbie ignorant question but given I only have DCC track power at the location is there a servo motor that is powered from track power? Given I can use a simple DCC decoder to give a voltage level to a servo for control is there such a thing. I looked at the cobolt ip digital point motors and this maybe overkill but I was not sure they would work as it talks about “accessory bus” for the DCC control but I want to use the track for the DCC control. Am I barking up the wrong tree!!  Clive

Thanks Steven. The display is static but I do like the idea of controlling the giraffe by a DCC decoder and servo within the wagon for when it runs on the track. I have done a few carriages with lights controlled by onboard DCC decoders and the associated bogie pickup conversion. however, I think these old Triang wheels might be plastic, but I will check. This video shows the concept more clearly. The servo idea might also enable the old Triang Mail Van to operate.

Yes the lump hanging down is probably a magnet and the rail trigger is just a lump of steel. With the servo idea I guess I just attach a small wire to the bracket by the magnet and let the servo raise and lower the arm? any idea on the smallest servo? Clive

Hi, I have shelves to store my trains and they are both static and dynamic The upper section has rolling roads so the locos "move" The old Triang giraffe wagon enables the giraffe to duck when going under a bridge and it is enabled by a magnetic section of rail. The grand kids want it to move when on the shelf track! The track is DCC wired and the diasplay is controlled by JMRI. My question is, with an electro magnet it should be possible to enable the giraffe to duck. Any ideas how this might be acheived? Pulling apart a point motor? Are there small DCC contolled electro magnets for coupling trains? Anything else? The green square in the photo shows the attached ferrous bar Clive

I think that is right. As a newbie it seemd an obvious way to go. Low cost decoder with sound and no need for a controller.

Thanks all. These posts are super useful. I have been into this hobby for all of 2 weeks! Arrived here by Youtube’s algorithm signposting Sams Trains and Jennifer E. Kirk. In the first week I was trying to get my head around where to go and the Hornby Bluetooth seemed to be the easy way for a newbie to get started. Then in the second week ago I discovered JMRI and my head exploded. So in the post are 3 Bachmann locos, 1 HM7000-21TXS, 1 Loksound V5, SPROG3 and some tracks and points, a Hornby Power Supply (as I don't want the HM7000 to blow up and have Hornby say I did it) :-) a couple of coaches and an accessory decoder with odd LEDs. I am going to be busy when the postperson arrives after Easter. From reading these posts it also looks like I am about to discover the world of compatibility/incomparability but I am sure I will have fun on the journey. I might have to put of “Signalling logic” to week 52! 😬

Is there not a similar system from SOUNDTRAXX the BLU-2200 Given it has been around for over a year has this become a standard or might it? Is it supported in JMRI?