More realism

[Pipalya]

Getting more realism on the railway for me included bridge, tunnel and a water feature but something was still missing and then I knew even though the WP&YRR (Southern division) didn't have them I needed signals. This thread could easily have been in the other place but then this is all about trackside and realism and not so technical at the moment. If signals I needed power and as my portable solar cell was making heavy work of the water feature I needed more. So up went a post and a larger solar array, connected to a battery box and voila all the power I needed for the pump, , buildings, point motors and signals. The photos tell it all. I started in January and now I am up to the signals with more to come. Point motors change the signal lights so they also act as a help to the operator to tell them which way a point is set as the control box is a little distance away from 2 of the points.

Signals - they are from Shiloh.

solar power

Control box at western end of the garden. Switches on the right control point motors. Switches on the left pump and lights.

Inside of control box showing pump motor controller

waterfall - the sound is really soothing, helps calm me down when I am struggling with the wiring for the signals.

Bridge over the pond. The Meccano bridge was taken away in January with a little rust after 2 years service, thoroughly cleaned, treated with rust inhibitor, repainted and is ready for another winter. The rust was kinda realistic, but I decided it needed attention, rather than decay. We keep things pretty ship-shape on the southern division.

Please don't clutter up this threads with ooh ahhs. I would be happy to answer questions though.

 

[Madman]

Nice work! I am still just in the contemplation stage of using solar panels. While I enjoy the sounds of my waterfall, I usually put some soothing music on. It helps me even more than the water sounds to think clearly.

 

[lgbmad]

Thats .....GREAT, super pics. I only wish we had the sun you get in Wales for solar panels, no luck on the lottery last night so will not be moving to warmer climes just yet:impatient:
All the best
Kev

 

[Gizzy]

Very neat work outside and inside that control panel....

 

[Pipalya]

Very neat work outside and inside that control panel....

Yes, it helps to have a son who is an industrial electronics technician. He has made provision for track power. See the socket at the bottom left of the box. A dc controller could be plugged in there to control a loco or charge a battery powered one depending. This feature has yet to be implemented. The other option is a 3 way key switch at the top left. One position is off, the other 2 give provision to allow lights to come on automatically at night or normal power to all items.

 

[Shawn]

I have always liked the idea of using solar on the railway. I took it one step further and had 35 solar panals installed in my field. I guess I can say my RR uses solar now.

Great looking railroad.

 

[Pipalya]

I have always liked the idea of using solar on the railway. I took it one step further and had 35 solar panals installed in my field. I guess I can say my RR uses solar now.
Great looking railroad.

Thanks. How about a photo?

 

[spoz]

Peter,

Are the switches S or DPDT? If so, can I ask where you got them; I've been trying to source waterproof double throw switches for a couple of weeks with effectively no luck.

Steve
(also in Adelaide)

 

[Pipalya]

Peter,
Are the switches S or DPDT? If so, can I ask where you got them; I've been trying to source waterproof double throw switches for a couple of weeks with effectively no luck.
Steve
(also in Adelaide)

Sorry for the slow reply - been away. Got the switches from AZTronics at 170 Sturt Street, Adelaide - they know model railway stuff. You buy the rubber covers as an extra and they screw onto the front. The switches are momentary DPDT (spring loaded so they go back to the centre null position)