Videotapes
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1. Basic Videotapes 1 & 2 (below)
2 Advanced Videotapes 3, 4, 5, & 6 (below)
3. List of Videotape Owners (below)

Note: These videos are no longer produced, but many are in circulation

1. Basic Videotapes 1 & 2

NOTE: List of Control Unit Purchasers -- this has been moved to the Ta Autocontrols page.

Item 2 -- Basic Videotapes 1 & 2

The 2 basic how-they-work tapes
Figure 3a

The Item 2 videotape set, Video Textbook for G Scale Automatic Display Ideas (V9202) exhaustively demonstrates several ways to automatically control multiple G scale trains on the same track using very simple non-electronic controls.

* Tape 1 -- Introduction & Automatic Block Part 1:

  • Demonstrates the automatic switching block -- this unit combines circuitry of the automatic block and automatic passing siding. (The tape shows the original Model 163 Automatic Switching Block, but the current Model 165 design operates essentially the same -- the difference between the two units is the layout of the parts.)
  • The tape demonstrates the operation of the automatic switching block for about 10 minutes on a display layout, which will give most viewers a good understanding of how it works. (Tape 5 -- part of Item 3 -- provides a more in-depth discussion showing how each track contract activates the corresponding motor, how the rheostats work, and so on.)
  • Also shots of automatic blocks, automatic passing sidings, and automatic route selection.
  • Suggestions on getting started with these automatic control components if you are not familiar with them.

* Tape 2 -- Automatic Block Part 2

  • Demonstrates how to check out and install an automatic block in a layout.
  • Demonstrates how to utilize the automatic block to operate at least two engines on any loop, even engines with large speed differences.

Please be advised -- this is an amateur videotape -- not a professional production. Some parts you may find boring and repetitious. However, to my knowledge, this is the first and only how-to-do-it video on simplified automatic train control. You will see train control demonstrations that are just not available anywhere else.

2. Advanced Videotapes 3, 4, 5, & 6

Item 3 -- Additional Videotapes 3, 4, 5, and 6

4 additional, more-in-depth videotapes
Figure 3b
Item 3 consists of four additional videotapes in the series titled Video Textbook for G Scale Automatic Display Ideas (V9202):

* Tape 3 -- Automatic Block -- APS Electric Eye

  • Demonstrates an electric eye block using time-delay to control train separation -- an alternate design to the LGB magnetic style.
  • Demonstrates how to use your hands to simulate the operation of an automatic block on an existing layout, without actually having a block.

* Tape 4 -- Automatic Switching System: Automatic Passing Siding and Automatic Route Selection

  • Demonstrates an automatic switching system configured for automatic route selection, where 1, 2, or 4 trains continuously change between 2 loops.

* Tape 5 -- Automatic Switching Block

  • (more details than Tape 1). Demonstrates operating the unit as an automatic block, automatic passing siding, automatic switching block, and depowered as a straight track.

* Tape 6 -- Conclusion

  • Tom Flynn's 5-track automatic yard, Peter Kenneman Custom Buildings, Byron Fenton Snowplowing, plus raw footage of one of Ed Zellner 's 12-train Megadisplays.

3. List of Videotape Owners

The following list identifies people who have at least 1 videotape in the series Video Textbook for G Scale Automatic Display Ideas (V9202). For example, "#1,2, 1996" at the end of the line indicates that person has Tapes 1 & 2, purchased 1996 .

Names were collected from 1992 through FEBRUARY 97, so some phone numbers will be out of date. If you know someone on this list, you may be able to borrow the tapes.

This list is sorted by state, city, then last name.
This page created 8/03, modified 5/2/2006 by (bottom include)
James R. Ingram , Williamsport Pa, 570-322-7597