I’ll try to address your questions and add one of my own to you. Let’s start there - you suggested reversing engine direction on a regular basis to lessen wear. I can see how that would even the wear on the train’s wheels and flanges but you mentioned it would effect the sharpening of the track in the curves too. Wouldn’t the wear force be towards the outside of the track circle no matter which way the train is traveling? It seems to me the rails, anyway, see the same wear forces going either direction. You have the experience so I will entertain a little more explanation how this works so I can address the problem the better I understand it.
We are running 5 foot diameter turns. That’s the best we can do in the space allowed. I don’t plan to run any 3 axle trucks/engine drivers and pull no more than 5-6 cars at a time. Currently we are alternating engines including LGB and USA Trains and I am pre-greasing and oiling before each month’s planned use. As per Tom Trigg’s suggestion, I have acquired an HLW engine and plan to put it in to service with some log cars.
I am using a RR Concepts “Station Master” unit to control the graduated slow start and a large electrolytic capacitor to effect slow stops. Actually, I could have used the Station Master to do both but it required some other additions or set-up I didn’t want to use at this time. I was hoping to keep this system very simple to understand and operate.
I use a digital daily timer which I simply program to operate during Roaring Camp General Store open hours. The output from that timer is fed through an ICM 305/306" repeat cycle timer that can be programmed down to the minute for time to run and time to wait between runs. The one drawback to that timer is it only controls 1 amp. maximum so I had to follow its output with a relay to control my MRC train transformer. Some of these electronic choices may have not been the best but were adequate, easily availab
Yes, you are correct, reversing the trains direction of travel only helps balance out the ware on the loco and all the car’s wheels. Track ware remains the same. I remember removing long thin strips of brass laying along side of the rails on the curve tracks. This came off the edge of the rail head on the outside rail. Soon the outside rail was like a sharp knife. Remember these trains ran from about 10AM to 8 or 9PM, 7 days a week.
I am an old senior model railroader, and am not into the high tech stuff you talked about. I am new to this forum, and am doing my best to learn about it, and maybe help out some folks who install commercial, continues running train systems. I will stick with my slide dimmer switch to turn train on and off. This also is an emergency stop control. I hope you are installing a thin guard wire around the outside of the shelf, to keep the trains from falling off, to the floor, in the event of a derailment.
I haven’t posted in a while because I’ve been busy but I decided to check for anything interesting. In terms of engines and/ or cars, I would go for a bachmann railtruck because it is very lite and probably not cause any cuts on your fingers. For something to pull cars, a bachmann 0-4-0T porter or 0-4-0 gas mechanical. These are also pretty lite, very low maintenance, can be lifted and placed on and off the track easily, and can handle the curves. For cars, get a few Bachmann lil’big hauler cars and some Hartland mini series cars. All these things are inexpensive, low maintenance, and fun.
i’m a bit senior myself and none of the timer stuff is high tech. I knew generally what I wanted to do for timing, went to my local lighting store, told them and they made good suggestions. I already had some experience with RR Concepts’ hardware but talked to them before buying too. I found the slow-stop capacitor circuit searching the internet. Almost everything was nearly plug-and-play.
Yes, I do have a safety wire along the outside of the trestle and shelves. Where I constructed a deck addition to complete the return loop over the entry door, I installed 10" of plexiglass on the outside of the curve to prevent any trains from reaching the floor (or store customer’s heads). Your suggestions based on your experience encourage me that I have made some wise decisions.
One of the layouts I help maintain is using RR Concepts equipment to alternate two trains on a loop using a passing siding with a delay in the start up of the second train after the first has come to a stop. One of the loops has run without an electronic problem for approximately 2 years now. The second loop took longer to debug on its setup but it has been running without problem for nearly a year now. Both loops have gradual slow down and start up and have a timer for automatic start up of the system and shut down at the end of the day.
Because of the passing sidings, we operate the trains on each loop always in the same direction. We do have a significant number of left and right had turns so have not noticed any significant wear due to the single direction of operation.
Scheduled operating time is 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM, 7 days a week. We are using code 332 brass rail and have been replacing the curves on about an 18 - 24 month schedule. Straight track is lasting about 36 months.
The rolling stock all have metal wheels and the power units are oiled weekly with a grease application about every 6 weeks. Axles are replaced as the flanges become heavily worn. We do change out trains with the seasons.
We run USAT, Aristocraft, Bachmann, LGB and Hartland equipment. It has been a very pleasant surprise how well the Hartland 2-truck Birny has run. The other brands have also run well.
We considered a two-train operation but really don’t have a good place to pass because the one long straight-a-way (on the trestle) had to have the rails too close together. Plus two trains means just that much more equipment investment and service. Remember, this operation is all-volunteer (two model RR guys and a camp artist) and that includes the labor and equipment. We had to limit the scope of the operation to what we could afford and what the space (and RC management) would allow. It is drawing lots of interest and that’s encouraging to us.
A short note about using “We” and “I” in my replies. The “we” is not to act affected and is not “royal.” There are two us us working the RR side of the project. I just happen the be the one doing the forum story. Lee Williams and I have worked together on this, each of us taking some speciality to ourselves (as in “I” built the trestle), but collaborating all the way. Both of us appreciate all the good suggestions from those (surprising how many!) who have been down this kind of a full-time display road before us.
I was trying to cover several points in my earlier post.
The RR-Concepts electronics are robust and the StationMaster can handle not only the gradual slow down and start up but also a delay between stop and start.
Running over extended periods will result in wear of not only the wheels but also of the track regardless of the material.
Regular lubrication is beneficial to running over extended periods of time.
There are a number of different manufacturers who put out product which will last when run for extended periods.
You have an good looking layout there and it will be an interesting time keeping it going.