Building a point to point on my railroad

Capt. Jack

Capt. Jack

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Hello. I'm interested in adding a point to point logging line on my layout. I haven't found a thread on this. If there is I would love to have a link to it. I need to know how it works and what I will need to buy to get this done. Any information on this would be great. Thanks everyone...
 
Are you thinking of an auto-shuttle? The train automatically runs from one end of the line to the other, pauses a while and then returns to start the process again. If so, it's relatively easy and you can buy what you need from LGB (very expensive), Gaugemaster and Heathcote Electronics, amongst others.

It's something I'm starting to work on myself, although with a twist.
 
I had an LGB later version on my branch line running back and forth between stations, the later LGB version not only stops, waits,reverses but slows the train gently to a stop. Although the unit came fitted under 'wooden' buffer stops I removed the electronic board and set it next to the controllers in the shed, not only to protect the electronics but to get at the settings as different locos ran at different speeds.
 
It would be helpful to know more about your control system and loco(s), e.g digital or analogue? Even if analogue the loco(s) you intend to run may have a factory fitted decoder. Some of these, LGB and Massoth for example, have a built in facility to decelerate, pause then accelerate in reverse on analogue.
 
Analoge or DCC.....
Analogue
If you would like an analogue operation, the LGB 'auto-reverser' shuttle unit allows up to about 1.5amp.
I started with this but soon found that, with a non-LGB loco, an incline and wanting to pull a good few log cars, that I needed a reverser that could handle more amps.
This led me to a unit that could handle up to 8 amps (from ebay and worked in exactly the same way that the LGB one did so I could use the track diodes from the LGB unit.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shuttle-...169344?hash=item4b40e30e40:g:6scAAOSwPwla1KW8

DCC
As far as DCC is concerned...there are 'feedback' control units like the Massoth one which facilitates the programming of auto reverse etc.
A simpler 'universal' system is the Tam Valley train shuttle http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/trainshuttle.html
This can handle up to 2 amps (or 5 amps with the DCC booster) http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/dccbooster.html

When I changed from analogue DC to DCC I have used the Tam Valley system and it works automatically with ANY loco address up to 99 (or four digit addresses using the address adapter).
Tam Valley are a good company and Duncan McRee (the owner) is always happy to help if there are any issues.... he sent me the custom wiring diagram for attaching the booster to the shuttle unit.
 
playmofire said:
Are you thinking of an auto-shuttle? The train automatically runs from one end of the line to the other, pauses a while and then returns to start the process again. If so, it's relatively easy and you can buy what you need from LGB (very expensive), Gaugemaster and Heathcote Electronics, amongst others.
Click to expand...
I think the LGB is the only one to come comple with the track sections needed (thus expensive)

http://kentgardenrailways.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_76_108&product_id=2242

LGB-10345_Shuttle-Train-Circuit-Bumper-TK-Clips_all-parts_1024.jpg

all are analogue, and strangely the LGB track cleaning loco won't work on such a line - this is cobblers as I put a switch between the unit and the track to run the branchline as a simple analogue, if I can do it so can you (if I could remember how I did it, probably a switch auto / off / manual)
 
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Thanks for all the great information. So far I am running anolog I have a 6 amp pH hobby power pack. I like the lgb reverse unit but I found a old thread on here and bevercreek mentioned that the amprage is only one amp and I want this point to point to be on a logging line with a pretty steep grade using a bachmann Shay with at least four log cars. Would this unit have enough power to accomplish that? Thanks again for everyone's input on this subject...
 
beavercreek said:
Analoge or DCC.....
Analogue
If you would like an analogue operation, the LGB 'auto-reverser' shuttle unit allows up to about 1.5amp.
I started with this but soon found that, with a non-LGB loco, an incline and wanting to pull a good few log cars, that I needed a reverser that could handle more amps.
This led me to a unit that could handle up to 8 amps (from ebay and worked in exactly the same way that the LGB one did so I could use the track diodes from the LGB unit.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shuttle-...169344?hash=item4b40e30e40:g:6scAAOSwPwla1KW8

DCC
As far as DCC is concerned...there are 'feedback' control units like the Massoth one which facilitates the programming of auto reverse etc.
A simpler 'universal' system is the Tam Valley train shuttle http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/trainshuttle.html
This can handle up to 2 amps (or 5 amps with the DCC booster) http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/dccbooster.html

When I changed from analogue DC to DCC I have used the Tam Valley system and it works automatically with ANY loco address up to 99 (or four digit addresses using the address adapter).
Tam Valley are a good company and Duncan McRee (the owner) is always happy to help if there are any issues.... he sent me the custom wiring diagram for attaching the booster to the shuttle unit.
Click to expand...
Sorry . For some reason when I was reading all the posts I didn't see this one. This sounds like a great. I tried searching for this with little luck so far. Hope they are still available. I found your post from years ago. Thanks for the great info.
 
Jack44 said:
Wow. So by the looks of the diagram all I would need is to get some diodes ?
Click to expand...
Sorry, no. You will definitely need the track sections with one break on one side. These indicate to the control unit when the the loco is there.
 
pugwash said:
Sorry, no. You will definitely need the track sections with one break on one side. These indicate to the control unit when the the loco is there.
Click to expand...

Yeah but...
You can use a track joint, and an insulated joiner for this.. - One rail only, obviously..
 
Both Piko and LGB make a point to point system. I have seen the Piko one in action on a layout and it worked. Apparently adjustable how close to the track edge the train can get before reversing? I would guess LGB has a way to do that as well. I would also guess there are more LGB versions out there in garden train land, but I have found piko products to be a good value.
 
All great stuff here. My friend from the north has the lgb one that he is going to sell me . He said it should work great and it sounds like it is a good one. He has been running a couple of them for years. He hasn't ran into a amprage problem so hopefully I don't either. Thanks for all the info and responses. I will keep everyone posted on my layout building thread.
 
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