Taita Gorge Railway

>:( DISASTER My beloved TE transmitter has decided to hibernate (replaced batteries etc etc), the on/off switch is either stuffed, or not getting power. I'm seeking advice through a thread in Analogue Power. :'( :'( :'(
 
:o Taita Gorge is running on life support (direct transformer controller track power) until I can source a replacement 55470 TE transmitter. Less 'operation', more 'tail chasing'. On the brighter side, I can just set up a train, leave it running, sit back with a beer in the warm sunshine, and relax.
 
::) Basic TE reinstalled, for the 'duration'. Cuts down on the ability to 'operate', but, still, at least we can run tail chasing. Main problem with basic TE, is the lack of range for the signal.
 
:) :) :) The Directors of the Taita Gorge Garden Railway, are pleased to advise that normal service has resumed. Trains recommenced this evening (I can hear JR saying 'what's that idiot doing out in that weather' :-X )

Thanks to Rob E, one of our Wellington Group members, who kindly made a surplus TE available at a mutually favourable rate. All programmed too, just plug in, and play.

A two light colour signal has also been wired up, and the foundation prepared, for installation next calm evening (windy nights have a habit of cooling soldering irons extra fast). It's going in on the return loop crossover, and is diode wired to act as a polarity indicator for the main line, theory is, that if the main is not correctly set for the train coming off the return, then the red light will show. Green, of course, for Clear.
 


Extract from the Taita Gorge Garden Rail Working Timetable (Dated 23 Sept 2014)

Petticoat Junction

Signalling

A signal, numbered 990, has been installed on the Reverse Loop at Petticoat Junction.
This signal is for the assistance of Eastbound trains running on the Reverse Loop, and will indicate the polarity setting for trains entering the Mainline.
When a Danger, Stop (Red) indication is showing, the Mainline polarity for Eastbound trains is incorrectly set. Trains must NOT pass this signal at Red.
A Clear, Proceed (Green) indication will show that polarity is correctly set, and trains may pass in accordance with operating procedures.
This signal will NOT be lit when there are no trains running under track power.

I need to get a smaller red bulb (that one was the only replacement I could find at the time).
The signal runs off track power, and uses two diodes to set the correct indication
 
Gavin Sowry said:
I need to get a smaller red bulb (that one was the only replacement I could find at the time).
The signal runs off track power, and uses two diodes to set the correct indication
Click to expand...

That looks impressive Gavin.

You may wish to consider using high brightness LEDs rather than bulbs. In general they have a much longer life and the colour doesn't suffer from degradation due to the weather. Wiring them in inverse parallel would do away with the need for the diodes you use at present and simplify the wiring with only two wires needed to the signal with a single resistor in one of them.
 
Thanks Neil.

I've considered LED's, but, the signal came that way........ forgotten the brand (threw the box away a few years ago), it came with a switch to operate it, what I've done is semi automate it.

To protect the diodes and the soldered joints, I taped around them, and threaded the whole wiring assembly into a plastic tube, and then sealed up the ends with hot glue. The tube is buried in the ballast (not the dirt) to allow good drainage, and hopefully long life.
 
8) Grandma has decided that #1 Grandson is in danger of developing a vitamin D deficiency (that's caused by lack of exposure to sunlight, too much time playing video games).

I am under orders to 'find something for him to do outside'. Now, is that an invitation to play trains, or what! :-X

That's Saturday taken care of. If the weather plays ball, it's off to Loco Otaki on Sunday for maintenance day... he will be my gofer for ballast etc. The Wellington Group are doing some track relay, and a complete reballast up there for the start of the new season. Free Pizza..... yum. ;) And, we get some modelling in (more to Garden Railways than just running trains.) Always a good feeling when you do some layout construction, either for yourself, or some mates, and it works well when you've finished.
 
"Like" ;D
 
;D Shot of the day...

A bit of maintenance on a dodgy switch, then it was all day fine weather running. With the wiring back up to scratch, there were 4 trains out on the railway at any one time.

 
Another great pic. ;D
 
;) Our group electrical guru was recently advocating the use of computer power supplies to run analogue track power set ups. 'People are just throwing these things away with old computers'. Just as I was about to bludge one off him, moving day at work (cue - rummage the e-waste, again) produced, amongst other useful stuff, a supply giving 19V DC pumping out 4.9A. Came with a weird co-ax plug. Delighted to find, that when I whacked that off, it was separate wires, as opposed to shielded co-axial type wire. That now goes to a chocolate block, ready for final wiring to my Train Engineer. Only thing is, I'm a tad nervous about connecting it up without, say, a 4A fuse, or something.... last thing I want is a derailment short frying anything back in the shed. Not too worried about the power supply, but want to take care of my TE (even though it has a 10A fuse). A bit of testing, and talking, I think, before final connection. Currently, I'm still using a H&M 1A supply, with thermal overload. Pops occasionally when I try too much double heading, or run into a reverse loop without setting correct polarity.
 
Now, through the power of breakthrough digital technology, we can bring you a remastered (edited) version of the photo from last week. ???

 
Looks good - no straining the eyesight ;)
 
Gavin Sowry said:
??? Isn't that why most of us model G Scale ;) ;)
Click to expand...

Too true! Even a pair of specs AND a magnifying glass don't always cut the mustard!
 
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