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N Scale Train Set - $300
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I set this up and obviously spent a lot of time wiring the switch machines, the indicator lights, and building the control boxes. At some point I decided I preferred HO scale and so have moved on to a new project. Probably easiest to explain the layout in term of the circuits:
Power to the tracks: I used an inexpensive Amazon variable DC power supply for the tracks (1-24 volts). This is the box with the volt and amp meter (the amp meter is not hooked up). As a practical matter a single loco can handle about 8 volts. There are three blocks - left, center, and right to allow for the use of reversing loops. DPDT switches are used to reverse polarity and to power indicator lights (so you can see right on the track which track is positive). These are the blue and white LEDs seen in one of the pics.
The switch machines. I used traditional twin coil machines. I have five types. Pioneer (8), Kemtron (20), Lambert (13), Rix (3) and Atlas. The Pioneers look to be from 50's and are big and clunky. I have 2 good ones and parts for 3-4 more. The Kemtrons and the Lamberts are from the 60's. The Kemtrons are Japanese and are real well made. I made little platforms for the Lamberts but never got them to work consistently so switched out to the Kemtrons. The Lambers and Kemtrons are NOS. The Rix are inexpensive and not nearly as robust as the first three. Atlas turnouts can be purchased with attached switch machines and these have been removed. These have been surface mounted as seen.
The indicator lights for the turnouts: The lights are mechanically activated at the switch machines. The switch machines have cam type levers that activate contact leaves or blades and allow the control of up to 4 circuits. The switch machines require a momentary jolt of DC to the coil and continual DC to the blades. You can see on one of the close up the three connections to power the coils. Connections can be seen at the blades. +DC comes in on the red and goes out to the LED on the yellow and green. See below.
The larger control box: The primary circuit here is used to send a momentary jolt of DC to the coils. The coils will burn out under continual voltage. It consists of a variable DC out which is then run thru a capacitive discharge unit to the coil thru a monetary DPDT switch. The box also contains a straight 12 v transformer for the blades/LED indicator lights. The CDU unit controls the DC out a little more cleanly than just a straight shot of DC as I understand it. I run the variable voltage at around 18 and they snap with good authority.
There is a lot of wiring but it's all color coded and should be pretty easy to reassemble. It's all still assembled and will remain that way until (if) it's sold.