With Laurence still 'slinging-the-lead', it was left to Geoff and Stephen to venture into the 'field' of electromagnets(!).
Geoff had assembled the magnet and run through the instructions. But first, there was a final check that we actually needed one instead of a permanent magnet. The boards, loom and control panel were assembled, together with a load of stock.
Geoff either pondering goods stock movements or how to operate the controller
for the first time. (He finally made things move!)
for the first time. (He finally made things move!)
Once fully satisfied that an electromagnet was required, we got started. The magnet gets fitted from above, with two fixing lugs placing the magnet more-or-less at the right height. The position agreed, first the track ....
.... and then vinyl-sheet sub-base were removed.
Then a hole was cut right through the chipboard base.
As the magnet would need some adjustment and the fixing holes were so close to the friable chipboard edges, we decided to oversize the holes and use countersunk bolts.
Once ready, Geoff laid some thin cardboard sheet and built a lovely infill section
using the original rails.
Large washers/plates were fitted underneath.
While the track was being rebuilt, Stephen fitted a push switch to the control panel and two blue wires (note that Laurence) through the loom to the board, and hooked-up the magnet.
Power: Ideally, the unit works off a maximum 16v DC, although 18v AC is also usable. The laptop power supply we use for the point solenoids is 19.2v DC, so some stepping-down was required. Geoff found and fitted a Zener diode, which dropped the voltage by 6.3v to around 13v. The unit worked very nicely, albeit some adjustment is required to align it perfectly with the track. An alternative reduction method may be needed if full testing shows a need for more volts.
The platform forms a guide-rule for our longest trains that will fit in the fiddleyard. A four-unit rake of Stephen's disconnect timber wagons fitted nicely. It immediately showed an interesting stock operation namely, as a transit point for timber mine props and general timber supports for Worton Court Minerals (up the small tunnel and onto the fiddleyard via the rear entrance). The usual tree-trunk loads will have to be exchanged for sawn timber - a nice little exercise.
Aluminium angle and MDF sheet has been purchased ready to make-up and test a cassette storage system, which is new to us. This will enable the fiddleyard to be properly designed and built.
