Auto Reverse Units

[Bernard]

If that is the right name for them. I'm thinking of adding a airport shuttle to my layout and was think of having 2 lines just going back and forth from point A to point B. It would run on DC. Does anyone know what I would need or where to get it in order to accomplish this?
Thanks

[bill937ca]

Miniatronics is a good start.

http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=RU1-1&Category_Code=&Product_Count=1

http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=RU2-1&Category_Code=&Product_Count=5

[CaptOblivious]

I wondered the same thing: I'd like trains to just shuttle back and forth across Akihabara station. I looked at the Miniatronics products, and while impressed, decided that computer-controlled DCC was no more difficult to set-up and way more flexible. We have yet to see if I am right...but I'm curious if anyone has used Miniatronic's stuff, what they think of it?

[Darren Jeffries]

I agree, I was thinking that if you were to use auto-reverse units that you would geta shuttle effect but the realism might not be there. It would be more realistic to have the shuttle be able to stop for a selected time before returning.

[Bernard]

Capt. - You bring up a god point since most of my trains are running DCC so I took a look at this at Tony's train exchange (the last one listed) would that do the trick and how would I go about programming it?

Bill - the second unit you listed do you know if I can run 2 main lines on that unit? Correct me if I'm wrong but can the last unit listed can you preset multiple point for the train to stop at not just points A & B?

[bill937ca]

Bill - the second unit you listed do you know if I can run 2 main lines on that unit? Correct me if I'm wrong but can the last unit listed can you preset multiple point for the train to stop at not just points A & B?

I suspect one line per unit.  It will do up to five stops.  If you have two parallel lines running you don't want both trains at the same points all the time. You'd probably need two units for two lines.

One further note.  I'm aware this items are available, but I have not purchased one of these units or ever used one.

[bill937ca]

There is another possible option if you are using the Tomix TCS.  The Tomix 5563 is an automatic controller.which has these features:

Characteristics

??Automatic drive unit for TOMIX N gauge
? Automatic drive equipment corresponding to TCS power source and Next Neo
? In stopping and leaving, acceleration and deceleration can be smooth.
? 9-mode movement is possible.
Functions
? Extra power unit corresponding to TCS power source is necessary.
? Output is expected to be 500mA. Constant light function is not loaded.
? The improvement on running carriages is not necessary, but plastic wheels are not yet corresponded to.
? It's possible to change stoppage time (abt.1 sec.?abt. 60 sec.)
? It's possible to change acceleration and deceleration rates.
? Points can be automatically switched depending on different modes.
? Sleep mode is loaded, by which power supply is automatically cut off at certain time.

1. Linear Round-Trip Drive Mode
2. Round-trip, Stop at Station Mode
3. Zigzag Drive Mode (Z form track arrangement)
4. Zigzag Drive Mode (W cross arrangement)
5. 3 Trains Alternate Drive Mode
6. Endless Stop at Station Mode
7. 2 Trains Exchange at Station Mode (same direction drive)
8. 2 Trains Exchange at Station Mode (opposite direction drive)
9. Random Drive Mode
10.Through (Manual Drive) Mode


?Sensor, feeder or divergence cord will be necessary (separate sale).

http://bigmanjp.com/goods.cgi?act=goods_view&shop_id=we60120&goods_id=783&cn=1&p=&cname=

All the documentation with these units is in Japanese, so you should be aware of this. You also need a Tomix controller like the 5502.  It is the Tomix 5563 that I suspect controls the Enoden modules shown in a separate post.

[CaptOblivious]

The TCS stuff looks really awesome, very flexible. I haven't quite figured out what the TCS port on my Tomix controller is supposed to do, though.

Anyway, here is a video of the Automatic Controller at work:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/dSY5rTA7q8w" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/dSY5rTA7q8w</a>
Looks too jerky to me, but the simplicity may be worthwhile.

To do DCC, I will use a Digitrax system with the LocoBuffer USB, which turns your computer into a LocoNet throttle. I haven't settled on software yet. I'm a recovering software engineer, so I may whip up some custom software in JMRI. Since I now have empirical evidence that others might be interested, I'd make it freely available for others to use. But that's a few years off, so don't hold your breath :D

[Bernard]

Bill & Capt.
Thank you both for the Tomix information. The video really shows it all, I was surprised to see that the unit also reverses polarity.