Weekend Update - 9/6/2009

[DKS]

I save myself a lot of wiring and just use a single DPDT latching relay for each Tortoise. This has the advantage of always remembering which route was last selected after power is turned off. You can add as many parallel pushbuttons as needed, as well as LED indicators.

[Hiroe]

do you have a schematic for the Tortoise driver?  i'm looking to setup route selection for my staging yard.

actually, it looks like you used two 555's instead of a 556 (which is two 555's) in this circuit

Pretty much. I originally built mine using his design, but have since found that i prefer using pairs of 555's instead, as it simplifies the component layout on the board. I also usually incorporate a "logic output" (a 2-pin header) to connect to the signalling system, which i built using 12v CMOS, so i can tie it directly to the outputs here.



Route selection can be done *very* easily this way, by installing a single button for each yard track, and putting a diode matrix between the buttons and the drivers to set the specific route through the necessary switches. Also, with the cap, every switch on the layout has a 'default' position (typically the Mainline) it will return to when first powered-up. (Building the driver board without the cap is inadvisable, as the two timers/halves will get into a "Race" to see who wins.)

I've found these to be extremely robust, and have only needed to replace a single timer chip in 4 years of use on the layout.

[asciibaron]

with the 12v supply, how fast are your points moving?  i sat down with an adjustable voltage supply and threw a turnout until i found a voltage that was slow enough to not be too loud, but fast enough that i'm not waiting for it - 3.3 volts.  a modified computer power supply has a 3.3vdc line and i figured i use that to power my turnout motors.  i guess i could just drop the voltage at the outputs to the motor.

[Hiroe]

Not overly fast? Keep in mind that this is O, so there's a lot more distance to travel. Also, with the size of the layout, and all the sound-equipped steam locos, a single motor isn't very obvious.

I've also never really had complaint with operating them at full voltage even in N, to be honest.

[James Costello]

Some AWESOME stuff here guys!

I spent the past week working on the announcement of not one, but TWO new N Scale cars.  These announcements will come one month apart, the first of which will happen in about two weeks.  For now, I've posted the following screen snap in our 'BLMA Blog' as a teaser...     We can't wait for these announcements!

There's two cars being released right?

Maybe Craig can finish the project he started years ago and release these:







More than one road, multiple eras and schemes, bulk purchases...never done in N or HO.

Please?

[lock4244]

I didn't do any modeling (typical), but I did put a few new freightcars into their long-term storage box. Does that count? Oh wait, I did put FVM wheels on two Evans gons and a 23,000 gallon tanker... guess I'm a modeler after all  

James, not sure if they're the exact same cars, but CN runs GATX Tanktrains to the Ontario Hydro Bath, ON., generating station on a regular basis. Plus they operate the Ultramar tanktrain in Quebec in a CN scheme. I say bring'em on!

[ednadolski]

Hi Jamie, can you please re-post the image?   This link no longer seems to work.

Thanks,
Ed

Nice stuff everyone...

Here is an old cheat sheet of static grass colors I photographed a while back, but figured I'd bring up to the top again with all the recent discussion about static grass...

http://www.model160.com/jamie/MISC/static-grass-comparison.jpg

[mcjaco]

^ I think the server is down. 

[JDouglasFisher]

[lashedup]

Sorry, that server had to go down for maintenance yesterday. Should be ok now.

[Sokramiketes]

...and i got the hungries.

You jerks need to stop bumping this thread... everytime I see this photo I have to run to the store and buy ice cream and rasberries.  There is no better desert!   ;D

[ednadolski]

Thanks!