Chapter-4a Page 17
Automatic Turnout Operation
Sometimes it happens ! A sudden stop and perhaps an alarm sounds and you've done it again! forgotten to set the turnout. Maybe it is out of sight or poorly situated and not obviously set the way it should be. Of course a 2 aspect ground signal would be an advantage, but better still would be automatic operation of the turnout. This circuit will show how to overcome the problem if you use Circuitron Tortoise motors. Originally designed for DC but it can be modified for DCC On timeout the power is operation as well. restored and the train proceeds. The time is long enough for the Tortoise motor to transfer the On the red colored track there are two turnout. If the turnout is set correctly then the train does not spots where the train will be sensed as it stop. Also shown is the frog moves toward the turnout. When a train enters at (A) it will be detected passing the power connection which is 'spot loop'. If the turnout is set for the Main supplied by the other changethen it will be transferred to the Loop side. over contacts in the Tortoise. Optional manual control is by a A timer is started and the track power momentary contact toggle removed. switch (ON-OFF-ON type).
The block diagram:
Installation: There is an edge connector plug available for the Circuitron Tortoise motor. This may be more convenient than soldering on wires under the layout. The numbers in the schematic refer to those on the motor. The plug is double sided and if the motor is not working in the correct sense i.e. select main and you get the loop, then the plug only needs to be turned round and reinserted to get correct operation. The switch connections will still be correct as the reversing of the motor will change them over. If the turnout changes in the wrong direction but is correct when using the manual switch then the connections to the tortoise switch need to be swapped over. The position of the spot rails will need to be determined on the layout. They must to be far enough from the turnout so that the train has room to slow down plus a bit more. The controlled track section (from 'A' to the spot) must be long enough to hold all MU'd locos. For detail on making the spot rails see the appendix. The 100 ohm resistors are installed as shown in the track connection diagram.
