How did/do locos get out of terminus stations...?

[d-a-n]

I'm DCC as well, my terminus has a central release road for the express trains and I have programmed Train Controller to drive the train to near the buffers, wait for the passengers to get off, it then backs the coaches clear of the the release crossover, uncouples the coaches and then moves forward to the head shunt.  Points change, loco moves down release road to the turntable, the next loco to take the train out backs onto the coaches, couples up and is ready to go or the station shunter moves then to where needed.

That is what I love about DCC, so much is possible.

That sounds amazing!

[haeckmaen]

how do you think the use of magnetic uncouplers would work on a terminus station model?

So, loco & stock in to the uncoupler, then a second loco couples at the head & hauls the stock out, the orignial loco then moves out.

This is how I operate my Penzance themed layout, which is DCC as well. At exhibitions, to have something running more quickly, I skip shunting the incoming train into a siding and another stabled loco is directly attached to the front of the rake, then leaves the station so the original loco can move out to a stabling position. This also justifies an amount of stabled diesels in the station itself

A properly working uncoupling device was the central issue since now with the trainshed roof in place there is no easy access for a helping hand from the sky. Following a test on several alternatives with rapido style decoupler units, none proved as reliable as the Dapol EasiShunt magnetic depoupling device. I know there may be issues about costs, but if you operate loco hauled trains and the main feature of your layout is a terminus, I'd say the effect and the joy of operation is worth it and recommend the Dapol offerings again.

Matthias

[DCCDave]

A properly working uncoupling device was the central issue since now with the trainshed roof in place there is no easy access for a helping hand from the sky. Following a test on several alternatives with rapido style decoupler units, none proved as reliable as the Dapol EasiShunt magnetic depoupling device. I know there may be issues about costs, but if you operate loco hauled trains and the main feature of your layout is a terminus, I'd say the effect and the joy of operation is worth it and recommend the Dapol offerings again.

What types of magnet are you using? I've experimented quite a bit with permanent magnets (actually an array of 8 rare earth ones) but have not tries any electromagnets.

Cheers
Dave

[BobB]

Hi Dave

I'm using Dapol's own permanent magnets successfully; but I do need to try half length just for the visual impact.

Bob

[haeckmaen]

I installed three of the original Dapol magnets inside the trainshed. Yes, if mounted between the tracks straight from the box they are obtrusive. However if they are located at the very end of the line just to enable a single loco to release from the train, it is perfectly possible to disguise the magnet below that amount of soot that occured regularly where locos tended to take longer rests.

For this reason I haven't dabbled in shortening the Dapol magnet and also didn't try neodym magnets. Both methods seem to work, however more precision in shunting is required when utilising shorter versions of magnets since this will only work faultlessly when the coupings are directly positioned above the magnets, and the shorter the magnets are the more difficult will it be to match their position.

Regards, Matthias

[fordpop]

How about recessing the magnets below the sleepers, therefore laying track over them? May need a pair doubled up?

Just a thought?

Dave

[haeckmaen]

Hi Dave,

as far as I know placing Dapol magnets below the track has been tested unsuccessfully, there was an article about this and other questions concerning EasiShunt in the NGS journal. It may work with neodym magnets, but worries occured neodym magnets which are just too strong might affect DCC decoders.

Matthias

[guest311]

I seem to remember a post on here where someone had semi recessed the magnets in the baseboard, then thinned the sleepers over it so there was, once ballasted, a continuous row of sleepers, but the magnet was just below the surface and so more effective.

[PostModN66]

You can fit small (2mm) Rare earth magnets between the sleepers, just below ballast level.  Fit 3 or four rows to provide a bigger target area.

Don't know about impact on DCC decoders though.

Cheers  Jon   

[SD35]

The Club trains to Blackpool used to reverse out to the carriage sidings to run round the stock then reverse back into the station.  The guard would be in the leading coach on the "butterfly" as with this pic of 37278 below 13/06/92 which worked in with the 10:33 from Manchester before working the 13:25 to Liverpool:

[edwin_m]

As a DCC decoder will quite happily sit on top of an electric motor, I think it's highly unlikely that it would be affected by a magnet in the track. 

[BobB]

I've just finished fitting the standard Dapol magnets chopped to half their length so that they replace the sleepers. They work absolutely fine and look quite a bit better than when full length. Train control is fine enough for realistic operation but you do need to see where they are so use under an overall roof isn't really feasible.

[1018509]

This is fascinating stuff. If the rolling stock was to be used again didn't the brake coach have to be removed and turned as I thought that in those days the last carriage was always at the back and the guard's part of said carriage at the end

[weave]

Sort of know what you mean, don't have an answer but 'the last carriage was always at the back' made me a laugh. Maybe it's a railway term. Don't know to be sure to be sure!

Cheers weave 

[pape_timmo]

Sort of know what you mean, don't have an answer but 'the last carriage was always at the back' made me a laugh. Maybe it's a railway term. Don't know to be sure to be sure!

Cheers weave 

Well, technically the last coach is always at the back... Doesn't say which coach, but it's always there...

Cheers, Timmo