3. The
Completed Unit
In January 1996
we developed this design that expands the Model 165 Automatic Switching
Block from 2 tracks to 4 tracks. This 4-track unit is named "Zellner
Yard" -- for the reason that these multi-train megadisplays we have
been doing the last 5 or so years, were always dependent on having Ed
Zellner and a fleet of his trains available to wear out.
The following figure
shows the completed 4-Track Zellner Yard.
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Orlando, April 1996
-- 7 of Ed Zellner's trains entertain visitors on this 10x20 display at
the 12th National Garden Railway Convention. 4-track Zellner Yard
controls 5 trains on the elevated loop. Single-track Block controls 2
trains on the inside loop.
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Figure 1 -
4-Track Zellner Yard
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Zellner Yard
operates in the normal switching block manner, except instead of
holding 2 trains in the yard while the 3rd train is on the mainline, it
holds 4 trains in the yard while the 5th train is on the mainline.
It automatically
controls the switches, target lights on a special Shiloh Signal's
6-light signal, plus slowdown, stopping and starting. Trains enter the
yard starting on Track 1 on the left, and sequence across to Track 4 on
the right.
Sheet 49, Schematic,
and Sheet 50, Sequencing Schematic show how track power is sequenced
from one siding to the next.
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4. The
Drawing Set
Item 9 -- U_BLD_M
Drawing Set for 4-Track Zellner Yard
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11"x17" drawings,
step-by-step instructions, 3 color drawings (schematic, helper control
unit template, & track unit wiring) plus a laminated color copy of
the Helper Control Unit template
This drawing set
expands the Model 165 automatic switching block from the 2-track built
per Item 5, to the 4-track Zellner Yard version, in 3 incremental
phases:
Phase 1, Single
Track Unit
Phase 2, 2-Track Unit
Phase 3, 4- Track Unit.
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Figure 2 -
Drawings For Zellner Yard
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Item 9 includes:
- Instructions, 8-1/2
x 11 -- 54 pages -- keyed to the drawings -- of step-by-step written
instructions.
- Drawings, 11" x 17
-- 20 sheets -- including photographs, overall assembly, track unit
dimensions, track unit wiring, parts lists and costs, Sheet 39 -- Full
Size Pattern for Helper Control Unit, plus check-out, initial
conditions, and operating sheets.
- Colored Copies of
Key Drawings, 11" x 17:
• Sheet 35, Track
Unit Wiring
• Sheet 39, Full
Size Pattern for Helper Control Unit
• Sheet 50,
Schematic.
- Template -- Colored,
plastic-laminated copy of Sheet 39.
The template is
designed to be glued to the wood base of the control unit. For easy
assembly, all parts and wires are shown full size in their proper
location. You just place the parts and run the wires over top of their
outlines.
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5. What
The Drawing Set Produces
Zellner Yard
uses a standard #1651 Control Unit (built per Item 5) that operates
tracks 3 and 4 in the normal manner. The #1653 "Helper" Control" (built
per drawings Item 9) is "slaved" to the #1651 control, and operates the
two additional tracks 1 and 2.
#1653 Helper Control Unit
The following
figure shows the #1653 Helper Control Unit.
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- Dimensions 6" x
13" x 3-1/2" high.
- Works with the
main control unit (Figure 8) to operate the additional 2 tracks for the
4-track Zellner Yard.
- Has an on-off
toggle switch. When toggle switch is off, the helper control unit is
depowered, and two of the four tracks remain parked.
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Figure 3 -
#1653 Helper Control Unit
• Template Drawing on Sheet 39
• Parts list on Sheet 41
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Works with the
main control unit (Item 6) to operate the additional 2 tracks for the
4-track Zellner Yard.
Has an on-off toggle
switch. When toggle switch is off, the helper control unit is
depowered, and two of the four tracks remain parked.
#1654 Zellner Yard Track
Unit
The preceding
Figure 10a shows the #1654 Zellner Yard Track Unit
- Track unit layout on
Sheet 35
- Track unit parts
list on Sheet 42
- Track unit wiring on
Sheet 38.
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6.
Expanding From 2-Tracks To The 4-Track Zellner Yard
If you are
presently building a 2-Track Automatic Switching Block, and think that
in the future, you may want to expand it to 4-Track Zellner Yard, please refer to Item 9 the
4-Track Zellner Yard drawings before you start laying out the track. Item 9 guides you through setting up the
system in the following steps:
- 1 track -- using
just the #1651 Control Unit and Track 3 only.
- 2 tracks -- using
just the #1651 Control Unit and adding Track 4. The yard area with 2
tracks, but designed for future expansion to 4 tracks, would appear as
shown in the following figure.
- 4 tracks -- by
adding the #1653 Helper Control Unit and adding Tracks 1 and 2.
Fig 10d -- Two tracks laid out for future expansion to 4 tracks
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Parking 2 Tracks
An optional
toggle switch "K3", can be used to depower the Helper Control unit when
desired. In this mode, the trains on tracks 1 and 2 remain parked and
never move. Meanwhile the main control unit (Item 6) continues to
operate 3 trains in the normal Model 165 mode -- using tracks 3 and 4
via track contacts T3 and T4.
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7. Other
Ideas From Electrical Guru Ted Greeno
The sequencing
logic for this 4-track yard is adapted from drawings made by Ted Greeno
of Fontana CA sometime around 1990. The 5-track automatic passing
siding you saw in operation on videotapes 1 and 6 (V9202), built by Tom
Flynn of Louisville CO, is based on these Ted Greeno drawings.
Ted Greeno is one of
the leading creators of designs and drawings for all kinds of G-scale
automatic control schemes -- multiple trolley systems, reverse loops,
switchbacks, mainlines crossing mainlines, etc, etc. An updated copy of
his booklet "LGB Electrical Clinic" will be available sometime in the
future. If you have any particular design needs, you can contact him
at: 8164 Sewell, Fontana, CA 92335. His phone is 909-829-0873, if you
don't mind him returning calls collect.
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