Chuck,
Because nobody else mentioned this idea, I feel compelled to offer it.
(This idea assumes you run DC or AC, not DCC. With DCC you could program the
locomotives to be unable to go excessive speeds.) Electrically isolate the
dangerous track. Connect the now isolated track to the remaining track or to
your under-layout wires with pairs of diodes in parallel, but with opposite
polarity. Each diode will lower the voltage to the track by 0.6 volts. As soon
as the locomotive hits the high-risk section of track, it will slow down. Put
in as many diode pairs as necessary to lower full speed to a safe speed.
If the danger zone is on a grade and you run DC, you can do better. Rather than
using diode pairs, use only one diode for the uphill direction (more if
necessary to keep uphill speeds under control). In parallel with the uphill
diode(s), add as many diodes as needed to keep the downhill speed to a safe
level. This way your grandson will have almost full power going up the hill,
but enough less going down hill to make it safe.
One final measure you can use to minimize your hassle when he isn't "helping"
run the trains is to wire the isolated section through a double-pole,
double-throw switch. One direction can be the grandson setting and the other
direction will bypass the diodes and allow you to run without the annoyance of
having your trains slow down in the danger zone.
If these words are not clear enough, I can send you a diagram.
Lance McCold
Knoxville, TN
At 07:16 PM 12/31/2005 +0000, you wrote:
>Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 15:55:28 -0600
> From: "C & P Porter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Ideas wanted
>
>Because of the limitations of my layout room I have a lot of track running
>close to the table edge on the peninsula in the middle, much of it also
>elevated above the table itself. My 6 yearold grandson loves to run my trains
>but occasionally he gets a little "throttle happy". He's really not bad but I
>hate to think of my stuff falling all those scale feet to the floor below or
>even down to the level of the table. What I need is some suggestions for some
>type of restraining fence or barrier that will not block one's view of the
>train, be simple to erect, and will be reasonable in price. The track is hand
>laid on Homabed on 5/8 plywood subroadbed and is ballasted. Beyond that the
>area has no scenery as yet. I know I could run a batten along the edge a 1/4"
>or 3/8" high but would rather not since then we couldn't see the running gear
>on steam locomotives, etc. and it wouldn't look very prototypical. A friend
>suggested ripping clear plastic sheet and using that but I have seen !
t!
> hat done on show layouts and don't care for the appearance.
>
>Any suggestion?
>
>Happy New Year to All. Chuck Porter
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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