A Linear Actuator for Point Operation

Although I relocated an existing manual point lever for the new junction turnout, it proved awkward to operate as the track is in a shallow cutting and there are overhanging trees.  A search on eBay revealed a reasonably priced linear actuator with 50 mm travel which came with a remote control receiver and 2 push-button keyfobs.

I devised a relatively simple spring mechanism to allow for the over-travel of the actuator, compared to the point blades which move about 25 mm.  As currently configured, the springing is too firm to allow the points to be "trailed through", which was not my intention.

I installed the electronics together with a small 12 V sealed lead-acid battery in a plastic box beside the track.  A small solar  panel and charge controller (from Jaycar) keeps the battery topped up.  The installation is off-grid so no long cables are required to feed power from elsewhere.

The remote control setup has worked very well so far.

Image courtesy of eBay.

Design in Rhino for the spring mechanism.

Trial of Auto Couplers

As supplied, the loco came fitted with simple couplers intended to be used with a flat steel bar secured by pins.  I continued the same arrangement on the rollingstock I built, but something more prototypical would be nice.

As a trial, I bought a pair of knuckle style "auto" couplers which are available from Tom Bee in the US, via DNC System Technologies in Sydney.  They are 1:8th scale and very nicely cast: lost wax castings apparently.

The couplers have plain shanks and a dimple for the suggested mounting hole location, but the details of mounting are left up to the purchaser.

The rear of the loco has the same "duckbill" coupler as other rollingstock supplied by Mini Train Systems using a 10 mm diameter pin.  The front of the loco has a different coupler pocket with 3 slots at different heights, the centre one being the correct 125 mm height for 7 1/4" gauge, with a 6.35 mm (1/4") diameter pin.  

Mini Train Systems "Duckbill" coupler.  MTS photo.

After I did a test with 3D printed couplers to verify the required dimensions, Richard Stuart offered to machine the metal couplers to fit the loco.  Many thanks Richard.  

Machining a coupler shank on the milling machine.

For both applications, the coupler shank had to be thinned down, shortened and drilled.  

After machining: Front coupler on the left, rear on the right.

Front coupler installed on the Maxitrak Planet 2

Coupled up to the driving wagon

New Turnout Installed for the Main Line Junction

To create a new junction for the main line loop, a section of curved track was replaced by a right-hand turnout, which had arrived a few days previously.

Preliminary work, done a couple of weeks previously, to widen the cutting to accommodate the new turnout.

Transporting the new turnout to the worksite.

Curved track and ballast removed.

The deeper excavation will cater for long timber headblocks for installation of the point operating lever.  Also, note new section of weed mat ready for the turnout installation.

The new turnout in place and ballasted.

The start of the new main line diverging to the left.

More Track Arrives!

A busy day after a morning phone call from the freight company in Albany.

Unloading 3 pallet loads of track, totalling about 150 metres.

As well as standard straight and curved sections, the shipment included several 1.5 m long level crossing sections and an additional right-hand turnout.

After a busy few hours, the pallets were unpacked and the track temporarily stored undercover in a breezeway area.

Lift-out Track for Garage Door

Roger from Mini Train Systems came up with a great solution for where the track enters the garage.  A short lift-out section, complete with convenient handle, drops into place and can be quickly removed, without tools, to allow the garage door to close.  

As a "safety" precaution, the lift-out section is stored on the seat of the driving wagon when not in use.  Don't ask why this precaution is necessary!

Previously, a 1.3 m long half-curve section had to be installed and removed each time, which was quite heavy and took a while even using wingnuts on the fixing bolts.

The lift-out section in place so trains can run.

The lift-out section removed.  Note the convenient handle.

Garage door completely shut.

A Rear Headlight for the Planet 2

 Because the Planet 2 (with Mini Train Systems electronics*) is operated by a tethered controller, it is quite practical to run the loco in reverse with the driving car coupled to the front of the loco, but there is no rear light.  

(* As I understand it, locos sold in the UK by Maxitrak have the controls inside the cab, so the driver need to be positioned to the rear of the loco and drive by reaching into the cab.)

To attach the rear light, I bent a strip of 20 x 1.6 mm aluminium to match the curve of the cab roof, and drilled 2 holes (4 mm dia.) so that it could be fixed in position using the rear fixing bolts for the cab roof.  This avoided the need to drill additional holes on the cab roof.  I then formed some brackets to suit the light mount, which is via an M5 bolt and nut (supplied).

I found the light on eBay, and it is a Chinese made headlight intended for electric bicycles.  The cost from an Australian suppliers was about $20.  The light operates over a wide range of voltage 6-60 V DC.  With some assistance from Mini Train Systems, I should be able to wire it in to the loco control unit so it can be controlled from the tethered controller.  For initial testing, I wired the cable supplied with the light to a 30/50A Anderson connector and plugged it into the battery charging terminals.

Revised Mainline Alignment

I set out some spare track pieces to test an idea for the next stage of trackwork.

A new point, currently on order, will branch off the current track, to form the start of the main line which will ultimately loop right around the garden. The existing track heading to the right will remain as a spur leading to the garage for train storage. Previously, the start of the main line was about 20 m closer to the garage.

Visible at the bottom of the photo below are the 170 mm long filler pieces supplied by Mini Train Systems to allow for future installation of a point in the middle of a curve, because a point is a bit longer than an equivalent 15° curve section. I originally installed the filler pieces in this location with a different plan in mind, so it is good luck that the new point will fit here.

After curving to the left, the new main line will punch through a gap to be cut in the hedge, passing by the gazebo in the background which will double as a station shelter.

The revised alignment will require about 20 m of additional straight track.  Fortunately, I was able to add this to the current order which is expected to be delivered during December 2023.  The length of the main loop will be unchanged, at about 300 m.

Below is the revised track plan: