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Finally, here is the effect of driving the relay coil with too low a voltage, in this case 8 volts. The coil needs 12 volts to pull-in at it's specified time. As expected, the pull-in time (on the left) is much longer and very erratic, multiple exposures are shown. Hope this info helps and...

This next photo shows the time for a typical relay (Potter & Brumfield Tyco DPDT 12V coil, Digi Key part # PB384-ND) to react to a transistor switch, which simulates a microswitch that controls the coil current. Coil voltage was 12V as required by the relay design spec. The relay data sheet...

This got me wondering just how long it actually does take for a manual turnout throw and how long it takes for a typical relay to respond when driven from a microswitch that is mechanically linked to the throwbar. Got some interesting measurements (using a Tektronix TDS2002 oscilloscope) and...

My girlfriend used to do stained glass (now she does model railroad scenery). My family-man neighbour across the back alley just got started in stained glass; he comes over to use my woodshop tools to make the frames. And you know what? I think stained glasswork is beautiful! Maybe it's...

Some very insightful postings here. There are wierd, nerdy types in all walks of life - and these folks have hobbies too. Ham radio comes to mind - most are normal types but i have met a few of the 'somewhat strange' types. Also the stereotyped 'computer geeks' - but think of what they have...

Unfortunately, yes. The movie "Throw Mama From the Train" showed the semi-moronic character of Danny DeVito playing on the floor with an oval of track dinging the crossing bell every time the 100 mph train made a circuit. And in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" the somewhat brighter but...

Very impressive! Scratchbuilding at it's finest!

Anyone know some good railroading jokes? Here's one to get the thread unravelling... A small RR that shall remain nameless was inherited by a less-than-brilliant playboy from his Daddy. While Dad had made a financial success of the line, Junior could not run the RR profitably. Pondering...

We're all train lovers; isn't it a lot more fun to wait and watch the train go by even if it does make us a bit late?

This is a story of prevention of death. Follow the links at the end for an explanation of the circumstances. She was truly a heroine. http://www.millermicro.com/poems.html#KATE

The City of Allen historian has the names of some of the workers, but that's about all. I wonder what life was really like for those who's labour built these early railroads and supporting structures with their own raw muscle power. Did they enjoy a jig or two in the evenings with a fiddle...

The attached picture is the current state of a dam built in 1874 in Allen, TX by the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. A photo of the dam before restoration can be seen at http://www.cityofallen.org/parks/historical.htm click on "Historic Dam Site picture" This is the only known...

Speaking of wet, those photos made me drool all over the keyboard! Nice work!

As my kids would say, "Totally Awesome!". Really enjoy your photos, keep 'em coming.

Welcome to the no-space club! I had a similar problem when i had to leave my HO layout behind in a move to an area where due to soil conditions houses do not come supplied with basements. Switched to N scale and built a 3' x 5' layout - still too big. Now do 2' x 4' to my own modular needs...

This heresay incident happened long ago, I heard it as a teen. What a terrible way to die. A railroad yard worker crossed between two cars just as the locomotive backed them to couple. He was crushed between the couplers but was still alive and conscious. The doctor knew as soon as the...

This has always worked for me: mtl@micro-trains.com

Reminds me of what a garden railroader once told me - "Don't ever reach into a tunnel to free a stuck train - it could be stuck on a rattlesnake!":eek:

David, Thanks much for the info about the HO tabs. About your friend's short circuits, are his contacts adjustable? If not he may not have the switching position exactly in the middle of the point travel. If he wants to try a few things, some relays are faster release than other types...

Thanks Shamus. Were yours N or HO scale? I do bend the tip slightly, but that's to make steam loco pilots track without derailing. I guess what I should have said is I want to avoid having to clean the points - it's enough of a chore just to clean the railtops with my cleaning mitten...