2-Track Photos Photos of 2-Track Automatic Yard

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Photo 1 - A 2-track Automatic Yard is shown operating on the Loose Ties MRC multi-gauge display, Dec 2006 in Selinsgrove Pa. This unit is also shown in Quicktime Video # 1. (If you care about the details: Technically the above unit is a model 205 Control Unit (aka Model 165) operating on a Model 206 track unit. The below photos show the new Model 206 control unit, which is almost the same, except it has a 2nd rheostat, is a slight narrower and longer.) Purpose Of These Controls These 2-track automatic yards seem to be the most popular of the automatic controls (the others being the single-track and the 4-track units). These 2-track yards are typically used to operate 3 trains on a single loop. They seem to be very effective at ENTERTAINING crowds on display layouts like the one shown above. Their simple electromechanical parts allow most railroaders to understand how they work, and keep them operating properly on the display. Principle of operation: The red block holds 2 trains in the yard, until the 3rd train on the mainline gets about 2/3 around the mainline (wherever the T2 track contact is positioned) and "releases" one of the trains in the yard. The train on the mainline then enters the yard on the empty track. This sequencing continues so all 3 trains take their turn running around the layout.   Photo 2 - Front view - Model 206 Automatic Yard -- plans drawn Feb 2007. Components To Install In A Layout The above photo shows the yard and associated components, ready to install in a display layout. Track Sections -- The front & rear track sections (on the green plywood). Loose Track -- The track shown between the front and rear track sections, is used to make whatever length of yard will fit the layout space. Signal Light -- The 4-light target signal - shown already attached to the front track unit. AC Power -- The white box on the lower left is a Radio Shack 18v/24v transformer, used to provide 18 volts AC power to the control unit. T2 Track Contact -- The small black object on the lower right is the LGB 'T2' track contact, which is position 1/2 to 2/3 around the mainline. (The T1, T3, & T4 track contacts are attached to the front track unit). Rear Switch Wire -- The duplex wire that connects the rear switch to the control unit is bundled up at the rear switch motor.   Photo 3 - Front view - Model 206 Automatic Yard. A USA Trains GP-38 waits on the left siding, and an Aristo Craft RS3 waits on the right mainline. An LGB 0-4-0 is the 3rd engine, out on the mainline on the other side of the layout.   Photo 4 - Side View.   Photo 5 - Rear View.   Photo 6 - Top View, showing the GP-38 on the front switch. Note the front switch has no motor. The trains just push it into the right position.   Photo 7 - Close-up of the Control Unit. FULL SIZE close-up, 1604 pixels Template Note the control unit is built on top of a "plastic-laminated template". This template guides positioning of parts and wires during construction, and provides built-in "hookup documentation" and "startup documentation" when the unit is in use on displays. Components The primary components from left to right are LGB switch motor M2 - routes power to either siding or mainline LGB switch motor M3 - turns power on and off in startup block Blue toggle switch K1 - controls power to switch motor M2 (switching function) Blue toggle switch K2 - controls power to switch motor M3 (blocking function) Rheostat R1 - controls voltage in slowdown block Rheostat R2 - controls voltage in startup block. Simplicity The advantages of these simple electromechanical controls are: No electronic circuits to malfunction, or electronic vendors to go out of business The throw-rods of the switch motors allow operators to visually determine the "state" of the control unit (siding or mainline powered, stop block red or green) The throw-rods of the switch motors allow operators to easily set "initial conditions" which the unit is started up, or when it is depowered and just operated as a "dumb track".   Photo 8 - View of the control unit and template from the other side. The diagram in the lower left -- between the 2 terminal blocks -- shows the hookup connections between the control unit and the track. The diagram in the lower right -- is an "initial conditions" sketch that reminds operators how to start up the system.     Photo 9 - The "Initial Conditions" sheet reminds operators how to start the unit up at the beginning of the day's operations. The drawings have additional instructions for powering down the siding or the block or the complete controls.     Photo 10 - The Shiloh Signals 4-light target signal indicates all "states" of the control unit.     Photo 11 - This photo shows the earlier Model 205 Control Unit (aka 165). The earlier Model 205 - drawn in 1994 -is almost the same, except it has a single rheostat, and is a slight shorter and wider.).     Photo 12 - Designer James Ingram -- shown Dec 2001 with an early design Model 202 (aka Model 163), built in 1992. MPEG Movies - showing the above Model 202-Track Unit Note these OLD movies were made in 2003, before the Quicktime videos were made MPEG Movie 1 -- 15 seconds, 320 pixels -- shows above 2-track Automatic Yard MPEG Movie 2 -- 60 seconds, 160 pixels -- shows above 2-track Automatic Yard Note the general principle of operation: The switching block holds 2 trains in the yard, until the 3rd train on the mainline "releases" one of the trains in the yard. The train on the mainline then enters the yard on the empty track. This sequencing continues so all 3 trains take their turn running around the layout. . More Model 206 Automatic Yard photos are in the Plans section   This page created Aug 2003; modified 3/5/2007 by JamesRobertIngram.com .