As most will know, I model the Southern around early to mid 60's, so have several EMU's and a couple of 'Electro-diesels. I don't presently intend to go into the added realism/complication of adding a third rail, (maybe later, depending on success/failure with this "brainwave!") but having seen a few layouts with workshops/garages featuring figures 'welding', using flashing blue LED's, I've decided (when they arrive) to have a bash using 1.8mm blue LED's, hopefully using the DCC decoder function normally used for 'firebox flicker' on steam loco's to simulate 3rd rail pickup sparking. Maybe I'm off my head here with this idea, but I'm interested to see if it's feasible, perhaps "because I can" (or not, as the case may be!). Has anyone else attempted this, or am I the only one with daft ideas? Depending on the outcome, photo's may follow! Keith
Try this Keith... http://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/Electrical%20page%202.html#LEDs Page Down or Scroll to Welding Flasher Mk1 Ed
Hi Keith Had a similar idea for the 3rd rail shoe after seeing the flash on a layout with over head electric and a panto with A high intensity white Nano LED mounted in the middle of the panto contact Shoe this was really effective as you weren't looking for it but the random flash would catch your eye and gave a good impression on the contact flash often seen on OHL So I think on a winner Keith.
I remember seeing this advertised Kieth. I can,t remember though who by. It was either DCC concepts or Traintech.
Hi Keith, l would imagine under the body, in some form of recess to narrow the beam down, and a random flash, you could just use pickups on the coach to power the flasher, but use the decoder output the control it. Paul
ed wrote: Hi Ed. I intend using the "flickering firebox" function option on a DCC decoder to provide the random flash, so no need of a separate flash generator,- trying to keep it as simple as possible. Thanks for the website though, some interesting (and maybe useful) stuff there. Keith.
I vaguely remember a layout in RM or some where that had led,s buried alongside the track that flashed when the train passed using magnets under the train and a (I cannot remember the correct name for them!) micro switch on the track, they are two metal strrips in a glass tube that come together when a magnet comes close too them. Cheers, Pete.
Hi Pete. I think a 'Reed switch' is what you mean. I've since found that Express models do a blue flashing LED kit intended for 3rd rail flashes, but it's got it's own 3 volt battery, not what I'm looking for, as I intend using the flickering DCC decoder output. Keith.
You could always try layouts4u, they do a good selection of flashing lights etc. I've used them in the past for various items and found them to be ok. cheers toto
Keith M wrote: Hi Keith. I have one electro-diesel with a LokSound v3.5 sound decoder from Howes. Bryan programmed in two variations of flashing outputs from one of the auxiliary decoder outputs, with a view to having an LED (or two) fitted to the locomotive. I decided to use a 3mm cold white LED at each end of the locomotive, drilled through the floor just above the bogie sideframe centre point on one side only (so they are diagonally opposite when looking from the top or underneath the loco). By mounting the LEDs just poking out but not visible from the side view, the flashes are visible but the LED "dome" is not. The flashes, and an extra sparking sound, are activated using functions 10 or 11 on the decoder. The principle works for me, and would be easily added to other SR EMUs and Locomotives (how about the upcoming class 71s from DJM and Hornby?), and should be achievable with any multi-function decoder with an available auxiliary output (think green and/or purple wires for 8-pin decoders, auxiliary pins on 21-pin decoders). Also possible, as mentioned by others, would be to place LEDs at strategic points under the third rail (and fourth rail for LT layouts!) to be activated by reed switches under the track and magnets on the locomotives/units. This has also been done by modellers of Overhead Line Equipment.
Hi Jeff. I'm presently waiting patiently for my DJM Class 71 from Kernow,- I've had it on pre-order since around September last year. Knowing DJM, it'll be worth waiting for, especially as it's been designed to accommodate DCC sound from the off. Don't really know much about a Hornby version, but knowing Hornby, it'll not be a patch on the DJM one, and likely have a much higher RRP too, which no doubt will end up being discounted by our favourite "Box Shifters" in due course! I can't understand why some manufacturers still seem reluctant to design the facility to incorporate an aftermarket sound install into a model at the design stage, more power to DJM and Dapol who have, although bearing in mind the recent Dapol 'goof' which I gather involved direction and lighting problems, they need to pay more attention to their samples before giving production 'go-ahead'! Keith.
Keith I think this is the best layout I've ever seen that has the track flash. It's John Poleys Abbey Road. Here's a link to his page on how to make the track flash. http://www.metromodels.net/track_flash_instructions.jpg
