RailPro User Group

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Alan on March 25, 2022, 09:40:42 AM

Title: Helix with location sensing
Post by: Alan on March 25, 2022, 09:40:42 AM
My helix is finally finished. Gets installed on the layout today. If you are interested in the details there are a series of posts on the LKO blog.

Building the helix starts here: http://www.lkorailroad.com/south-helix-part-i/ (http://www.lkorailroad.com/south-helix-part-i/)

Building the location detector system starts here: http://www.lkorailroad.com/helix-sense-part-i/ (http://www.lkorailroad.com/helix-sense-part-i/)

(http://www.lkorailroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DSC_4207.jpg)

Train location sensors:

(http://www.lkorailroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DSC_4226.jpg)
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: G8B4Life on March 26, 2022, 10:09:49 AM
The helix only took a year, and given how long the layout has been in construction I don't have any worries of you tiring of model railroading. Impressive engineering and electrical as usual.

- Tim
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: William Brillinger on March 26, 2022, 10:42:20 AM
Quote
Impressive engineering and electrical as usual.

I'll second that!!
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: Alan on March 26, 2022, 10:43:07 AM
The helix only took a year, and given how long the layout has been in construction I don't have any worries of you tiring of model railroading. Impressive engineering and electrical as usual.

- Tim

Layout construction is what I enjoy most about the hobby. I operate the layout on occasion but don't get the thrill I get from building it. If all goes to plan my layout will never be finished. That would kill the fun.
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: Espeelark on March 26, 2022, 11:51:27 AM
Alan - have been following your LK&O blog for quite some time!
You have given me some pointers/ideas along the way as I build my multi-deck SP Lordsburg Sub.
https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/sp-lordsburg-sub-construction-12214626?&trail=200 (https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/sp-lordsburg-sub-construction-12214626?&trail=200)
Thank you!
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: KB02 on March 27, 2022, 06:25:56 AM
I just read through the entire blog of building the helix. The construction I understood. On the electrics, you lost me on the first IR diagram. Fantastic work. Would love to see a video of the whole thing in action!
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: ON28 on March 29, 2022, 09:23:06 AM
Quality materials and construction, well done! I also used straight roadbed segments for my helix, less waste and labor.
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: nodcc4me on March 29, 2022, 12:37:52 PM
Alan, very nice work on the helix. The electronics of the sensors is also beyond my understanding, but all of what you've done is exceptionally well-described in print. I got a laugh out of your reference to the Haldron Collider.
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: gregeusa on March 29, 2022, 03:37:16 PM
Could you make that text a bit smaller? then I can get out my electron microscope to read it.
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: nodcc4me on March 29, 2022, 03:50:22 PM
Well, that was strange. Gremlins. I fixed it...I think.  :o  Thanks for the heads up.
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: Alan on March 29, 2022, 04:52:16 PM
Al must have thought he was posting on an N scale forum.  ;D

Thanks for the compliments guys. I'll make a video after the fascia panel is built. Nothing to see right now but a train winding around an inclined plane.
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: Alan on April 14, 2022, 07:16:40 AM
How about that. The helix fits!

(http://www.lkorailroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DSC_4267.jpg)
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: nodcc4me on April 14, 2022, 11:06:58 AM
Looks good.  :D
Title: Re: Helix with location sensing
Post by: KB02 on April 16, 2022, 06:02:11 AM
Had to do a double take. For a second I thought you had cut it in half!  Ha, ha!!   ;D ;D ;D