Electrics For The Railway Modeller

This fascinating, well-illustrated and informative book presents a straightforward guide to points, signals and level crossings and provides all the information that railway modellers need in order to get the trains on their layouts moving effectively. The history of semaphore and colour light signals is outlined and the implications for modellers is clearly explained. A variety of different types of points, signals and level crossings is then illustrated with detailed instructions describing how to make them work. Simple, tried and tested mechanical and electrical methods used by modellers are explained together with modern electronic approaches, which are described in a way that enables them to be easily understood. The reader is taken step-by-step through various projects, and clear diagrams and photographs are provided throughout, including wiring diagrams for frogs, signals and level crossings. Written by an electronic engineer, this book contains invaluable information gained in a lifetime's experience of railway modelling and will help both the new and the experienced railway modeller to understand electronic and electrical concepts and bring their model railways to life. Fully illustrated with 156 colour diagrams and colour photographs.

This fabulous new guide introduces the concepts and practice of wiring model railway layouts in an easy and accessible manner. Beginning with the basics the book covers cab control, point control, signalling, train detection and lighting. Starting from the assumption that the reader has no knowledge above connecting up a train set, the book will guide the reader through the various techniques used until they have the knowledge to wire up a complex model railway. Individual chapters will concentrate on separate topics which build in complexity. This gradual approach will allow readers to apply the ideas as their confidence grows. The final chapter offers a trouble-shooting guide to enable modellers to track down and correct electrical faults on their model railway. A glossary of terms is included along with a useful listing of suppliers. A must-have purchase for anyone thinking of including electrics on their model rail layout.Chapter Breakdown:1. Introduction - Things to consider: conventional or DCC, manual or electric point operation, solenoid or slow motion point motors, working signals, scenic lighting 2. Tools, materials and best practice - What tools are needed 3. Wiring the track - Cab control4. Wiring point and signal motors - Different types of actuators and how to control them5. Signalling - Working colour lights and semaphores6. Train detection - Various systems - infra red, reed relays, current detection7. Scenic uses - Loco and train lighting8. Fault finding - What to do when things go wrong

In railway modelling, getting the technical components correct is essential for a realistic-looking layout but, unfortunately, these often present the biggest challenges for the hobbyist. Using his own experience as a railway modeller and electronics engineer, Andrew Duckworth provides a guide suitable for all railway modellers, from beginners to the more experienced. With instructions on how and where to use specialist electronic circuits to enhance your layout, this book will help you to achieve a reasonably sophisticated layout. It provides: an overview of the geometry required for building successful model railways; clear explanations of electronics and electrical components; comparisons of direct control and digital command control (DCC); step-by-step instructions for wiring the track, signals, buildings and lighting; reviews of electrical systems, power supplies, wires and cable, control panels and switches and finally, it covers detection, testing and troubleshooting tips.

From background information on the technology itself to layout wiring; taking in decoders, hand controllers, wireless and many practical modelling projects, Neil Burkin offers a comprehensive introduction to Digital Command Control [DCC] for the beginner and experienced modeller alike.The book emphasises the benefits of DCC technology as a model railway control system and offers practical advice on the choice of systems, applying the technology to a layout, how to use it to enhance layout operations, and how it can be used to overcome practical difficulties with operations such as banking, double-heading, lighting and sound. Technical jargon is avoided and clear descriptions of each project featured in the book will remove the mystery surrounding DCC. Many of the modelling projects may be adapted for almost any modelling situation and are supported by over 400 excellent colour photographs. A comprehensive guide to Digital Command Control for the beginner and experienced modeller alike. Emphasises the benefits of DCC technology and offers practical advice on the choice of sytems. Includes practical modelling projects which are supported by over 400 excellent colour photographs. Nigel Burkin is a railway modeller with over 20 years' experience and has hundreds of magazine articles to his credit.

"Whether you're using traditional, direct current (DC) cab control or the latest Digital Command Control (DCC) system [this] will guide you through the steps of planning and wiring a layout. With ... more modelers choosing DCC, this book will help demystify how it works; clarify the advantages of DCC and what makes it different from DC control; and, teach you how to convert an existing DC layout to DCC. Step-by-step instructions and photos are coupled with clear, color-coded diagrams that will guide you through the process of wiring a complete layout or just troubleshooting problem areas"--

Bruce Oliver provides an overview of the great variety of EMU and electric locomotives that have graced the Southern Region for the last five decades. It will be of interest to modellers and historians, as well as anyone wishing to know more about the history of motive power in this region.