Hi

Here is a little video on the (very little) marshalling yard on my layout.
It is controlled by Rocrail and more specifically by the command recorder and is 100% automatic.




The main sensor (the one that activates the decoupler) is one of the decoupler rails (in fact only the half of it past the decoupler center).
It works not too bad but I need to replace it with on opto sensor.
This is a work in progress
If some of you are interested I can provide a more detailed description

Cheers

Jean

Very impressive,really enjoyed watching the video Thanks

Hi Jabez

Slope Because of limited space, the humping slope is reduced to a downhill gradient of 1% which from the decoupler and the first switch goes down to 3% and then the slope is reduced to 2% on the receiving tracks.

Automatic Operation
The automatic operation with Rocrail makes use of the command recorder (initiates orders from a text file). It includes:

- a starting phase (the humping signal is set to "manoeuver relatively slow", the receiving blocks are disabled (such as not to have a "ghost train"),
- a cycle for each car of: (a) setting the switch(s), (b) starting the loco, (c) set a pause of 5 seconds before next car cycle is processed.
- an ending phase which includes (a) setting the humping signal to "manoeuver fast", (b) reverse the humping engine back to the previous block, (c) stop the engine, (d) send a short horn signal, (e) set the humping signal to "stop manoeuvering", (f) re-enabeling the receiving tracks' block.

In parallel to this a Rocrail action, activated by the decoupler detection track (a) stops the humping engine, (b) triggers the decoupler both being adjusted in delay so that the train stops when the next coupling hook is above the decoupler and so that the decoupler is activated at the right time. If the decoupler is activated just a little past the coupling hook, it no only raises the hook but also gives the car an small horizontal impulse.

The decoupler (C-Track) is modified so that its tracks are insulated from each other and one of the rails is cut in its middle (using a dremel-like tool) and only the second half of one reail (past the decoupler center is used for detection

Voilà. I hope it is not too confusing
Cheers

Jean

Edited by user 08 December 2018 13:03:52(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

This is so very cool!

Well done and I'll read the rest of this thread now. Just felt the need to instantly shout "Fantastic!"

Pete

Hi

Thanks all for your comments.
Elsleuths: yes the key question is landing speed. I understand in the real railroad, they have speed radars computers and slowing down brakes.
In some countries in the past they used "drag shoes" (sabot de freinage in France) sort of wedge installed by teams "on the fly" very dangerous indeed!


Now the question is how to make this in miniature as I have no tools nor talent for creating precise mechanic devices?
Any ideas on the electro-mechanical part??

Cheers

Jean

Hi

Here is a video of of a real marshalling yard east of France (Woippy in Mosel region). Of course more and more shipment are with complete trains (no sorting out necessary).

Here you may see a double mashalling hump to speed up the train preparation and track brakes in action.
Of course my reproduction is very simplified but I would fill my train room with just 20% of that

Cheers

Jean

Here is a proto video with the main action starting around 7:40 with some "Old School" action by the yard workers - "manual" uncoupling indeed, and some tricky braking of the cars


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZd3au8QL_c