Now we are confident with the smooth and reliable running of our main line, I am turning my attention to the operations on the branch line from County Gate to the harbour.
The Glenthorne railcar is to be automated and interface with main line operation. We have always intended to run coal trains from the harbour to the rear fiddle yard and back again. While this will remain a manual operation, we will be able to interlock with main line operation by selecting the route by computer.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009.cd2.com%2Fimages56%2F4.jpg&hash=81122637f3f25946f8ccdec5dcf8f40ae2605ee2)
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009.cd2.com%2Fimages56%2F10.gif&hash=27e638d5bd3c6721290b789045fc599e6d66211f)
The coal trains are run by our K1 Garratt which was built back in the early 1970s by myself. The challenge was to be able to easily uncouple a train on arrival, run round and couple up at the other end. Even with the greatest of care, it was very difficult to always stop the train over the electromagnet which resulted in tooing and froing until the right poition was found. Enough was enough, so I have installed a Tortoise motor operating a wire which comes up through the trackbed when required. The train is driven very slowly up to the wire where it is, of course stopped at exactly the right place. Operate the electromagnet, lower the wire and there you have it.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009.cd2.com%2Fimages56%2F3.gif&hash=d746b299eb813cf16625ab00c3315664bf1920a8)
It works a real treat.
SIMPLE
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg25.imageshack.us%2Fimg25%2F3861%2Fmeerkat.jpg&hash=f73edf930736db9e6bd9a2956705d0daa732a1b0)
best
JdF