In the meantime I have been reading up about various ways to have feedback
to switch the signals.
In the staging yards I just simply cut the one rail and as the train moves over it the metal
wheels and axels do the switching. Simple and effective.
But for the mainline signals to switch over to the DC current for slowing the train down gently
I want some thing that is more accurate to a very specific point, there where the pick up shoe
of the locomotive is.
Infra red sensors and Led's are being considered, I have circuit diagrams for this function and have
also found the components are still available, also here in SA.
But I also wanted to try reed switches.
They are just a bit to big and obtrusive in the track to me.
Well today I fitted one by drilling in from the side between the sleepers and also a bit into the cork roadbed.
So now its nicely hidden, but the small magnets that are supplied with it are not strong enough to activate it.
I have a nice strong magnet that does work.
First picture is the reed switch in the track.
Second picture I just to test connected a light via track power with the strong magnet und the tender of the BR 44.
