Dead Rail Society

Graeme · Mar 9, 2018

SMR CHRIS said: ↑

Yes it is considering the age and UV stability wasn’t thought of as much 20-30 years ago, LGB track seems to be one of the best for longevity may have something to do with the European manufacturing to very high standards.
Aristo-Craft or Rail express agency track is just about as good
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Chris,
A fair amount of my track is OZ Track from PAMAK Hobbies at Bargo NSW. It has been out in the open for about 10 years and the sleepers have not deteriorated much at all (think they may be Aristocraft which are not available anymore). http://pamakhobbies.com/products/
I am busy saving to buy more for the new layout.
The other rail I have (AMS) the sleepers have been seriously UV affected hence my decision to put it indoors on my new layout.
I have heard on some US sites that they use armourall to protect their sleepers(ties).

Graeme · Mar 9, 2018

SMR CHRIS said: ↑

Hi Andrew I’ll have to look into the logistics of the old V New Revolution units is it that much bigger than the new one ???
As the RC side with Revolution control in the Electric Trains is all new for me, but I can’t see why they aren’t compatible, sounds like we may have to have a running session on the S&MR. Your down the south coast aren’t you.

Hi Graeme
Good to hear from you always interesting to know the other systems used to control for Dead Rail, it’s quite addictive once you start and knowing you don’t have any issues with pick up from the rails switch on and go.
I was going to go with the Li-Po battery’s but have seen a couple of expensive models that have had issues with battery’s that put me off and your charging method described was the way everyone I spoke to advocated, safety bag, out side, sitting on concrete or a brick. A few have had battery’s go pop.

I spent several hours on the Hobby king site trying to find a RX unit that had the specs that would work with the low output plus suitable for low speed with out much success, any chance you could post the part number or a link too the RX on the HK site.
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Chris
I have gone away from the hobbyking system and went to the pololu simple motor controller as used by the robotics people.
https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-simple-motor-controller-18v7-fully-assembled.html
User guide; https://www.pololu.com/docs/0J44/all
All I need is a receiver/transmitter to get it running, bearing in mind that I gut my locos by removing all the proprietary boards and track pickups when I do an install (basically I end up with the motor and light leads).
The free downloadable software used to set parameters is very easy to use and the one function I really like is the Low VIN setting where the loco will not run when it reaches the set level which protects the battery from over discharging.
To program it all that is needed is a PC and a USB A to mini B cable.

Sandbar · Mar 9, 2018

A little trick to be had was to paint "Armor All" over the sleepers which gave better uv protection. Armor All is used in car detailing and seems to work, but you have to balance the cost of the product compared to replacement of sleepers.
A lot of my outside track was in direct sunlight at all times and this did make the sleepers brittle after a few years. Plus my track bed was steel purlins with heat being absorbed from the sun - enough so you could not touch it with bare hands. So any modifications would guarantee the clips holding the rail would break.
Aristocraft sleepers were for 250 guage rail and naturally were lighter in construction than the LGB sleepers at 332 gauge.

For those who are in Australia, I am looking at a way of converting HO Locos into dead rail with a language, photos & dealers I can relate to.

Andrew
Sandstone & Mudcrab Railways

SMR CHRIS · Mar 10, 2018

Thanks Graeme, for the info on the motor Controler, Core electronics is not far from me will look into the unit always good to have other options to play with may install it on one of my other locos and give it a test.

So far I’m very impressed with the Control the Revolution system provides esp at low speed.
We are having a operating session next Wednesday and will have at least 3 Modellers with Revolution systems running there locos will be interesting to see how we go so far tests have shown no issues with interference as we can select the frequency etc to be completely different at a press of a couple of buttons on the hand set.

https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-simple-motor-controller-18v7-fully-assembled.html

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