Hi everyone,
I have a kit for an NJ International “Operating Blue Flag” manual throw (item #1309). Any advice on wiring it would be appreciated. Also, manual operation is assumed, however I suspect it could be actuated by folks with more experience than me. Any advice appreciated.
Cheers,
James
James,
First off the term,‘‘Blue Flag’’ is for the operation of a ‘‘Derail’’, you are aware of this I assume. And I don’t understand what you mean by wiring,wiring for instance for a live frog…A lot of their offerings for ground throws are for attaching them to your throw bar on the turnout,so when you activate the turnout,the flags,or lantern moves,not the handle on the ground throw…And I’m really surprised that you didn’t have any instructions with it…I’ll help if I can,but you have to help me with more info…
Cheers,
Frank
zstripe:
The Blue Flag the OP is asking about is not a derail.
The NJ International Blue Flag the OP is referring to is placed between the rails and raised to warn employees that a locomotive or piece of rolling stock is being worked on and is not to be moved. Only the person who raises the blue flag is allowed to remove it.
The NJ International Blue Flag is meant to be manually raised and lowered. Their web site indicates that it can be illuminated, and it has a small blue LED on top of the post. There should be two wires attached to it and instructions regarding the voltage required, whether or not a resistor is necessary, and which wire is positive. It is not meant to be operated automatically.
Unless the OP purchased it used on e-Bay, it undoubtedly would have instructions on how to wire it, so it is unknown why he doesn’t simply read those instructions instead of asking about it here.
Cacole,
Thanks,I’m well aware of the use’s,worked for CSX Intermodel yard for years…As for the NJ International version,they show only one,a manual turnout switch,with a shaft coming out of it with a round blue flag with a black ‘‘D’’ in the center…
Cheers,
Frank
I’m not familiar with the item, but if it is generally operated via linkage to the turnout throw, then stand-alone operation should be doable with just a suitable switch machine linked directly to it.
Mike,
Exactly,Most of their switch stands work that way,flags and lanterns and so forth…
Cheers,
Frank
I will use manually. Sorry for posting.
Jamesk,
Don’t be sorry,for You did nothing wrong…even if you did not have any,or if you did have instructions,sometimes they are of no use in themselves,if the user doesn’t have any idea of the piece in question to begin with…If you do indeed have the one that I was referring to,it states that the handle is fixed in place,the part that moves is attached to the throwbar on the turnout,so when the points are moved,electrically,the flag moves to co-inside with the direction of travel…I had reviewed their site many times and they only show one type and the number you gave,is not the one that they show…There’s started with a 19,something…These particular switch stands have been discussed before,not only the Blue flag ones,but the others they make and most of them,work off of a electrical thrown turnout,from the throwbar… I hope you can work it out,If you can’t,PM me and I will help if I can…I’ve done many in my time.
Cheers,
Frank
#1309 is the correct number. The Blue Flag is intended to be operated manually. The flag and support arm swivel so that the operator can lower the flag and support arm to allow locos and rolling stock to pass on the track.
What is not clear is whether the blue lamp on top of the stand is an LED wired for lighting purposes. The web site says it is an “illuminated” blue light, but I wouldn’t take the wired LED idea for granted.
If, indeed, it is wired, then a resistor will surely be needed to avoid burning out the LED. In that case, it will need to be wired to a toggle switch to control the on/off function. Otherwise, it will be permanently lit.
As I re-read the OP’s initial post, he already has the kit. So, is the device wired?
Rich
Rich,
I agree,we are only guessing as to what is going on,going by the OP’s post to begin with…
Cheers,
Frank
Yeah, if you look at the web site, the blue flag kit is shown, and there is some brief write-up about it.
I bought a couple of their cantilever signal bridge kits a few years back, and struggled to build and maintain them.
The blue flag kit looks to be a lot simpler to build, but it is unclear how it is “illuminated”. What is clear is that it is intended to be manually raised and lowered inside a pair of rails.
If it is an LED on top of the stand, and if it is wired, then it can actually be “illuminated” but you will still need to wire it to some sort of single pole switch to turn it on and off.
Rich
Rich,
Speaking of ‘‘Bridge’s’’,I was on a site yesterday,off hand I forget the site,I saved it on my ‘‘Favorites’’,that showed pic’s of every bridge that was in Chgo,standing and not…They showed a bridge with LIT… about a bridge,that I forgot about,it was a,eight track,‘‘Scissor Bridge’’ on South Western Ave…Ever hear of that one??It was a Railroad bridge…
Cheers,
Frank
zStripe,
Would you please clarify that last posting ?
Mobilman44,
I will get back,with more info,on this,probably later,for I have to shut this site down to get to the other and I’ll post in another thread,rather Hi-jack this one…Maybe no pic’s though,for the site does not allow it…Look for scissor bridge post…
Cheers,
Frank
thanks Frank,
now installed and working great with manual operation. Cheers, JamesK
That’s it?
Not gonna tell us if it is wired?
Rich