Trial of Point Indicator

As a trial, I made a simple Point Indicator using inexpensive LED lamps available on eBay which are intended as side clearance lights on trucks, trailers, etc.

As a housing, I 3D-printed a new front panel for a plastic "zippy box" including protruding shades over each LED.  For the initial test, the lights change based on the polarity of the 12 V supply to the linear actuator.  Despite only drawing about 5 mA from 12 V, the LEDs are quite bright and visible even in bright sunlight.

To provide an indication when approaching the points in the "trailing" direction, I also mounted a single LED indicator in a low-profile box which mounts next to the left hand rail, and below rail height.

The next stage will be to fit limit switches to the point itself to prove that the blades have moved across completely, and not jammed by a stick or piece of ballast.

Dimensions of the LED lamps

Points set for the main line

Points set for the siding

A more distant view

First Stage of the Passing Loop

After completing the main line, there were enough track pieces left over to form a siding near the dam.  Another point (right hand) is on order which will eventually be installed where the track runs between the two trees in the background to form a passing loop.

Temporary hook-up of a 12 V battery and linear actuator for controlling the point.  In due course, the battery and solar panel will located in a sunny spot halfway along the passing loop with 12 V power fed to both points via conduits buried in the ballast.

The spacing between the parallel straight tracks is 1.5 m.

After ballasting and installation of a buffer stop, the siding is complete for now.

Some parked wagons to "test" the siding.

Completion of the Main Line

Ballasting resumed in the opposite, anti-clockwise, direction from the former end of track near the fruit trees.  The meant a much shorter trip from the ballast pile near the front gate.

Part of this section required extra-deep ballast as the ground is low-lying and boggy in winter.  The width of the weed mat was increased from 600 mm to 800 mm to allow for the extra ballast depth.

By late afternoon and, with a little pushing and shoving, the track was finally joined to form a complete loop without requiring any cutting, which was amazing.  Even though there was still about 10 m which wasn't ballasted, it was possible to drive a train across the gap for the first time at low speed.  

A momentous occasion!

The next day, the last few metres of track were ballasted.

Another day, another pipe and more ballast

 Another drain pipe required attention, as it had been pushed out of the ground by roots.  

The pipe weighted down before backfilling and tracklaying.

Meanwhile, another 2 m³ of ballast was delivered, sufficient to do the remaining track with a little bit left over.

At the end of the day, with about 20 m of track to be ballasted, the rails at each end of the loop touched, but with a gap of about 70 mm.  Much thinking that night about how to resolve the gap.

The longest straight

Ballasting proceeds along the rear of the garden where the longest straight stretch, of about 25 m, is situated.  This section slopes down to the lowest point on the line and includes two level crossing panels for garden maintenance access.

The "top" level crossing in position.

Steady progress down the slope.

An extension required for the overflow pipe from a rainwater tank.

The "bottom" level crossing in position and level.  Later, surplus dirt was used to built up the adjacent grass areas.

Moving a point

 Since the decision to reroute the main line close to the gazebo, this LH point near the garage is no longer needed in this location, where it had been since June 2023.

The point has been removed, and replaced by straight track and a short (1.5 m) level crossing section for garden maintenance access.

After being turned around to suit the new planned location, the point is loaded on the train ready for relocation.

The new location has been readied including conduit buried in the ballast for 12 V power for electric point operation.

The point in its new position, for now at least.

A check revealed that the passing loop would be too short with the point in the position as per the previous photo, so it was relocated to after the next curve, resulting in a generous length of about 16 m for the passing loop.

To get a good alignment for the next straight section of track, a slight angular adjustment was required.  An existing offcut further cut in half resulted in a curve of about 2.5°.  Note the bolt-on joiner on the right end rather than the usual welded joiner.

More track set-out

After an afternoon clearing weed trees (Flinders Range wattle) which had sprung up in the area near the dam, we were able to set out most of the remaining track to make sure there was enough track to complete the main line.

It looks like there is enough space to the right of the main line for a passing loop.

Some of those small bushes in the foreground will have to go for the passing loop!

The main line almost joins up near the small lily pond.  It looks like a straight section will have to be cut to fit, but there will be enough track.