Today, we started to modify Johns points, which started with a discussion about the problems and the solutions.
Issues:
1. Modification: The solid metal tie bar is silver soldered to the rails, which might be difficult to separate.
2. Operation: The blades are not electrically separate and are also linked to the frog as a single unit. If the timing of the point operation is 'off', a short circuit can occur, which manifests itself as a power outage and the loco stops momentarily. Although there is now a 50/50 mix of old and new points on John's two original boards, operators learn to ensure loco's are stationary before changing points. However, if we decided to try operating with a DCC system, there would be a much longer delay to normal power while the controller resets itself, which would be difficult to hide.
 |
| John's configuration |
 |
| 'Normal' configuration on all other boards |
 |
Cutting the blade assembly to allow for its removal and
to form the electrical separation required. |
 |
| Unsoldering the solid tie bar for reusing the blades. |
 |
| The cleaned-up point ready for reassembly. |
 |
Pivot pins in new sleeper tie bar.
These reduce the stress on the printed circuit board as the blades move.
|
