AutoControls #656: Susq S Gaugers 2007 Steamup, Auto Control

A. SUMMARY: This video, made by Mark Anderman of the Susquehanna S Gaugers, at the April 2007 "Steamup" in Williamsport Pa, shows a demonstration of an automatic control system made by Dennis & Corvin Oberholtzer and Mark Anderman to operate 3 American Flyer trains on one circle of track. They used a siding to hold 2 trains, plus a 3rd block operated by a semaphore on the mainline to control the 3rd train. ~~~~~ Note this system uses all stock Gilbert parts. The switches act as relays to control the 2 siding blocks, and a Gilbert semaphore controls the 3rd block in the mainline. They used the pressure-sensitive Gilbert track trips to control the switches and the semaphore. [======] B. RELATED LINKS: * http://track2.com/ingram/plans/s241/241a.intro.shtml - web page documentation for this single-track automatic block. * http://track2.com/ingram/plans/s242/242a.intro.shtml - links to 2nd video, using reed switches instead of pressure-sensitive track trips. * Please visit the AutoControls "VIDEO INDEX PAGE" at http://AutoControls.org , for a list of LINKS to ALL automatic controls videos (approximately 12), arranged in suggested viewing order. ============================ === C. REMOVE THIRD BLOCK ?? ============================ Note that we believe that this system could probably be modified by removing the block in the mainline, and using just the 2 blocks in the sidings. The semaphore would control power to the sidings; i.e. at about 2/3 of the way around the loop, the train on the mainline would "release" one of the trains parked on the sidings, thus maintaining spacing between trains, but without using the 3rd block on the mainline. [=====] This iMovie video was videotaped by Chris Cooley, and iMovie editing was by Mark Anderman for SusquehannaSgaugers.com (description updated 12/13/2009).