A Way of Controlling Steam Locos

Paul M

Registered
25 Oct 2016
11,784
1,686
60
Royston
Best answers
0
Country flag
Subtitled: Yet another way of self harm

Today I found a book titled Garden Railways by R.E.Tustin, well worth the £2:99 I paid for it. The idea below was, by all accounts quite successful in controlling a Mr J.R.Birkbeck's steam locos. 20220514_180620.jpg20220514_180553.jpg
Please note, I take absolutely no responsibility for anyone trying this, although your squirrel problem will be over
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

maxi-model

UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
27 Oct 2009
5,673
661
Bucks/Oxon/Northants area
Best answers
0
Country flag
Possibly quite a shocking revelation. Is this a proto DCC that led to the digital products we have today, full mains voltage via the rails ? Being a convert to battery I suppose I should get a battery pack out of a Tesla to emulate this method of control......that should galvanize my locos ! Max
 

Chris Vernell

Tortoise
24 Oct 2009
8,997
1,803
77
Nepean, ON
Country
Canada
Best answers
0
Country flag
View attachment 298426
Please note, I take absolutely no responsibility for anyone trying this, although your squirrel problem will be over
Something closely akin to this was Maerklin's original method of loco control, if I recall a historical reference in one of their catalogs from decades ago.

Hmmm ... Squirrel!!!
 

Paul M

Registered
25 Oct 2016
11,784
1,686
60
Royston
Best answers
0
Country flag
Something closely akin to this was Maerklin's original method of loco control, if I recall a historical reference in one of their catalogs from decades ago.

Hmmm ... Squirrel!!!
Not with 200 volts from your household lighting circuit surely :rofl: I wonder how long it was before the gentleman found the somewhat small disadvantage of his system.
 

Chris Vernell

Tortoise
24 Oct 2009
8,997
1,803
77
Nepean, ON
Country
Canada
Best answers
0
Country flag
Not with 200 volts from your household lighting circuit surely :rofl: I wonder how long it was before the gentleman found the somewhat small disadvantage of his system.
Maybe he hated squirrels. Or enjoyed fried squirrel nuts.
 

Paul M

Registered
25 Oct 2016
11,784
1,686
60
Royston
Best answers
0
Country flag
I still wouldn't like to try it. 200V a prospective short circuit current of in excess of 20KAmps, on a whatever they used for a fuse in those days.....
 
8 Mar 2014
7,806
972
San Diego
Country
Armenia
www.elmassian.com
Best answers
0
Country flag
Again, since the power goes through the light bulb, it is current limited to the wattage of the bulb.

a short circuit would ALWAYS go through the light bulb, in the typical case of 100 watts, would be limited to approx 1/2 amp.

Ohms law please..

Greg