Team
I have began my aquisition of 1 guage (for under the Xmas tree) and am wondering how to perform the equivalent function of the M track 5146, 5147, 5213 circuit tracks. When we build our carbetbhan in M track I use these to change both signals and switches allowing for the automated running of several trains. (train crosses circuit track, one signal changes to stop, switch changes, another signal moves to go and second train moves out)

Is there an equivalent method of doing this using 1 guage?

Cheers
Sprogger

Sprogger, Xxup is more or less right.

Since you only have two tracks, you can't use one of them as signal-giver.

One method is current-detection, another is small home-made contacts triggered by the passing wheels.

I have made some; but I have'nt got the time right now to write an article.

Please be patient, I will post when I have more time.

Per.

Hi Sprogger
In your local electronics store you can buy reed switches and magnets in many different sizes. You don´t nessecerely have to use the expensive stuff from M.
Kind regards
Klaus

Folks
Further to this subject .. I now have 5965/6 switches combined with 5625 motors am also adding 5611 home semaphore signals and 5612 distance signals. I have purchased several local electronic store reed switches (normally closed)which I wanted to use as the train passes overhead to activate switches and signals.

The issue is .. If I pass the magnet over the reed switch slowly by hand the points and signals activate. However if I put the magent under the train I have to combine several magents even to get any reaction from the reed switch .. If the train passes over the reed switch at any speed there is no reaction .

Obviously the combination of the strength (or lack thereof) of the supplied magnets and the distance between the underside of the train (where the magents are) and the reed switch doesnt allow this to work with any reliablity ..

I have seen that it is possible to get "wide gap" reed switches as well as much stronger "rare earth" magnets ...

Is there anyone in the community who has experience with these and am I heading in the right direction?

Yours
Sprogger

Thanks DT ..
Strangely enough I had two laptops hard drives (my kids) die within days of each other .. strange how electonics can "go out in sympathy" like that .. Unfortunately I destroyed the drives and then chucked them ..

I might give a couple fo neodymium magents a go to see how they work ...

I am also wondering of perhaps the use of reed switches and magnets is a bit "old world" and if there is a more elegant electronic solution available

Yours
Sprogger