I playing with the idea of making an interurban out of a shortened Bachmann doodlebug. So I will shortly after that want a layout to run it on. I was thinking a small 15" x 8' layout that was loop to loop. I want to put to car on the track and hit go without touching anything. Was thinking about circuitron slow motion machines for the 2 trunouts, but I don't know if they will throw fast enough. One loop will be 5" radius and right back through the turnout! In the march 87 MR they show an automatic plan, but it uses 2 photo sensors and 4 reed switches..... Is there an easier way that won't invade between my rails? Also the plan shows only one direction through the loops. I would like it the change. What I mean is lets say the car comes to the loop and goes in left around it and out right. Since the trunout is already thrown I want it to stay so next time the car will go in to the right. Does any one have any thoughts on circuits or turnout motors to use? Has anyone out there have something like this currently running? While I'm talkin about trolleys.... If I string the "wire" up will a trolley poll actually follow it or am I just dreaming? It will be for looks only, no power. Thanks guys
First, why no power in your overhead? The PE Supply Co, (Rich Eaton) poles are designed to transmit power. By using the overhead for one part of the circuit and the rails as the return, like the prototype, you eliminate the need for any form of reverse loop wiring! Also, the prototype almost always traversed loops in only one direction, as the loading was almost always done on the right side of the car from the outside of the loop. No switch motor was used, the switch was simply a spring switch. The only difficult part of constructing overhead trolley wire is the "pan" to switch the trolley pole at switches. But, having seen your work on the 44-tonner, logging Prairie and railbus, it should be a piece of cake for you. Have fun. You can find a lot of information at Tom Savage's N-Cat website www.teamsavage.com/ncat/ncat.html
Gregg, I plan to use those poles. I knew they could pick up power, but didn't know how well the wheel would ride the wire. I have never seen a actual trolley layout in N scale so its all new to me. I could make the loops "one way" I just thought it would be more fun to watch. Spring switches were an idea also, but since I want to do 2 rail powering I think the piont rails would short out. You give me to much credit with the overhead, that stuff scares me Guess I'll get some circuitron stuff and try it out.
One answer to your problem may be a visit to <http://www.geocities.com/loggingloco1/dctramway/homepage.htm>. You may need a DPDT relay if you want it to operate totally hands-off. Believe me it is a very strange feeling watching a loco or tram run quite happily through a switch that you know can't move because you have soldered it solid. Shortliner(Jack) away up here in the Highlands
Sorry - it has dropped the address link- try again www.geocities.com/loggingloco1/dctramway/homepage. Shortliner(Jack) away up here in the Highlands
The NCat guys are running overhead wire in N-scale... I think they have a book out available through Ntrak. Either way, it can be done. The sprung trolley poles end up on Ebay every so often. Its not worth doing unless it has working overhead and sprung switch points. Don't sell yourself short. = )
I just ordered the project books and resource manual from Ncat so I can see whats out there. Wouldn't the pole be like only having one side of one wheel picking up power? I would hate to spend the time and have it run like crap. I'll do some testing before I start on a layout and see how good the pole works. The only N scale trolley I have seen running was a Bachmann Just another area N scale needs improvement. Mike, Have you seen a pole track the wire in person? Did it ever get intermittent instead of Interurban
Chris, I ran HO scale trolleys off the overhead for years and found the pole contact to be reliable. Remember, the trolley "shoe" is held to the wire by spring pressure, so while the area is small, the contact is constant. I did find that one problem existed in HO the same as on the prototype, so am sure it would persist in N scale. Do not attempt to pass too much current though the trolley pole, by pulling a long freight train with a box motor for example. You'll melt the solder holding the shoe to the pole! Ever wonder why the ITC "C" motors had two trolley poles at each end? The current draw was great enough to weld a single one to the wire.
Yeah, there was a fellow in our Ntrak group awhile back that was doings some trolleys in N. He brought a return loop to one of our setups as a demonstration, and it ran pretty well from what I remember. This was 5-6 years ago already though. ( He put his work on the floor inside our set-up... someone stepped on it, or otherwise crushed the trolley poles. It didn't work after that, so don't plan on walking on your new layout. = )
