Tried to make a control panel so that I could operate things remotely, but I've never got it fully set up, and it isn't working out so well because I spend more time at the layout than at the control panel, so if it will save time etc one of the things I do is let trains run through closed trailing points. To my very untrained electric mind, this means that the next time I operate such a point using the point motor. the motor arm is in the wrong place, see what I'm getting at? I'm not sure if this sort of operation is doing any damage to the motor. (All motors are LGB BTW). I also have a feeling that this is a sloppy operation, and would not be tolerated in real life, although I certainly have seen it done on certain US lines such as D&S and CT. Very seldom see British steam lines
Trailing Points
- Thread starter Glengrant
- Start date
dutchelm
Registered
It's no problem letting trains trail through wrongly set points. If it is a hand controlled point it will spring back, if it is a motor it will stay over.
If the train is always going to trail through it just take the motor off completely & let the blades go where they want. It works fine.
If the train is always going to trail through it just take the motor off completely & let the blades go where they want. It works fine.
Stupid boy that I am, of course the arm isn't in the wrong place, it will have moved with the blades. Anyway, thanks for the reply DE, I still think it's a rather unprofessional way of dealing with points, though, especially where there two sets at a crossover for instance where both points should be set correctly.
Look, maybe I'm too much of an amachure for this model railway stuff. Maybe I should take up doll's houses or something
Look, maybe I'm too much of an amachure for this model railway stuff. Maybe I should take up doll's houses or something
playmofire
Registered
Trailing points are used on full scale railways, so using them is quite prototypical and can save a lot of rushing about when you could be watching the trains.
Gizzy
A gentleman, a scholar, and a railway modeller....
Sprung trailing points are used in the station passing loops on the Welsh Highland Railway. I asked one of the volunteer trank gang about them.
On my layout, I only use motors on facing points and crossovers, with all trailing points fitted with the LGB manual switch levers.
If you click on my 'Shunting' linky below, you will see an example of how I run around a train using trailing points preset to a specific road....
On my layout, I only use motors on facing points and crossovers, with all trailing points fitted with the LGB manual switch levers.
If you click on my 'Shunting' linky below, you will see an example of how I run around a train using trailing points preset to a specific road....
Well, that has been a pretty useful little thread, for me anyway. I can see that I will have to do a bit more thinking as I develop my layout. Due to space restrictions I can see that to maximise interesting operation, ooh, big words, I have to develop yard shunting etc, I cannot honestly find space for longer trains, so your comments re points are very helpful. Liked your shunting video very much Giz, good stuff.
As to the doll's house, well, it was the thought that I could dress and err err undress the dolls more than anything that was starting to appeal to me. Did I show you the doll's house I found one day in a tip. I grabbed it for future scenic use, but I do think it is rather overscale
As to the doll's house, well, it was the thought that I could dress and err err undress the dolls more than anything that was starting to appeal to me. Did I show you the doll's house I found one day in a tip. I grabbed it for future scenic use, but I do think it is rather overscale
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Yerst, even if we ignore what Cyril gets up to in his doll's house, it's still an interesting thread.
I have seen 1:1 sprung trailing points in use in the UK but can't think where.
As to G scale, well for me the problem would be with the pony trucks which, even if sprung, don't carry anything like a prototypical weight, and thus would always derail.
So, if one of my three points has to be set, I have to get up off my a***e and go and move the lever
I have seen 1:1 sprung trailing points in use in the UK but can't think where.
As to G scale, well for me the problem would be with the pony trucks which, even if sprung, don't carry anything like a prototypical weight, and thus would always derail.
So, if one of my three points has to be set, I have to get up off my a***e and go and move the lever
shropshire lad
Registered
Not on the mainland I know but the Isle Of Man steam railway use sprung points for engine running round at Port Erin and Douglas so there's a narrow gauge prototype not too far away
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
shropshire lad said:
That's overseas, lad
ntpntpntp
Registered
The RH&DR has sprung points at at least three places I can think of: Hythe terminus, Romney Sands loop, and Britannia points at Dungeness.
The actual centre release road trailing points at Hythe aren't even sprung, just moved by the flanges.
(image found on flickr, unable to attribute credit)
The actual centre release road trailing points at Hythe aren't even sprung, just moved by the flanges.
(image found on flickr, unable to attribute credit)
whatlep
Registered
There used to be a great many sprung points on UK & Irish railways. Catch points on gradients.
If I remember correctly, the "sprung" points now used on rural lines in the UK are actually hydraulically damped with a fairly gentle return action, but one which ensures via position detectors that the blades travel the full intended return distance.
If I remember correctly, the "sprung" points now used on rural lines in the UK are actually hydraulically damped with a fairly gentle return action, but one which ensures via position detectors that the blades travel the full intended return distance.
PaulRhB
This Way Up
You dowhatlep said:
Sprung points that can be trailed through are actually still quite widely used, as said above on the West Highland, they are also used on the Line to Weymouth at Maiden Newton. A point indicator confirms in the facing direction that they are set correctly and there's a low speed limit both ways.
In yards there are also hand points with an over centre spring that can be trailed through and these are very common with multiple examples at virtually every mainline location with a yard. The depot and Sidings here at Salisbury use them. The only restriction is that when passing over in the facing direction the driver is required to check the points look correctly set unless confirmed by a shunter first.
Rob
Registered
The F&WHR use TOTP (Train Operated Trailable Points) to access all loops on the WHR and Tanygrisiau on the FR.
The blades are connected to a hydraulic-damped weighed lever which is located in a location cabinet to the side of the points. When a train runs through them it simply pushes the blades over and the hydraulic weight returns it after roughly 8 seconds (some are a little quicker, some a little slower)
The mechanism is connected to a standard BR points detection module, which is in turn connected to a points indicator, a white light that lights when the points are "normal".
No White light, no facing movements through till you've clamped the points.
This is a pretty good picture of the involved equipment;
http://www.isengard.co.uk/images/JPEGS/87_SM19-2-12RD in snow.jpg
On the left you have the LOC cabinet which contains the mechanism, points clamps and reversing lever etc, then on the ground the small box with what looks like wings is the detection and on the right of the point is the Point Indicator.
BR used a similar system which it called "hydro-pneumatic points" extensively through Scotland after RETB was introduced, and also in East Anglia and on the isle of Wight!
The blades are connected to a hydraulic-damped weighed lever which is located in a location cabinet to the side of the points. When a train runs through them it simply pushes the blades over and the hydraulic weight returns it after roughly 8 seconds (some are a little quicker, some a little slower)
The mechanism is connected to a standard BR points detection module, which is in turn connected to a points indicator, a white light that lights when the points are "normal".
No White light, no facing movements through till you've clamped the points.
This is a pretty good picture of the involved equipment;
http://www.isengard.co.uk/images/JPEGS/87_SM19-2-12RD in snow.jpg
On the left you have the LOC cabinet which contains the mechanism, points clamps and reversing lever etc, then on the ground the small box with what looks like wings is the detection and on the right of the point is the Point Indicator.
BR used a similar system which it called "hydro-pneumatic points" extensively through Scotland after RETB was introduced, and also in East Anglia and on the isle of Wight!
Look, all I said was trailing points, I didn't mean to stir up a hornet's nest!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously though, it has given me some food for thought, hope it has for others.
Talking about food, better go and zap my dinner in the zapper. Wonder if there's a bottle of vino anywhere (you'd better believe it baby)
t
Seriously though, it has given me some food for thought, hope it has for others.
Talking about food, better go and zap my dinner in the zapper. Wonder if there's a bottle of vino anywhere (you'd better believe it baby)
t