Automated Turntable operaton

From time to time I make short videos of operations on Granby. I have just posted the latest on my layout thread………..not everyone wants to wade through over 100 pages describing 10 years of modelling so to reach a wider audience I have re-attached the link here.

There is about 30 seconds of static during the intro……ignore it ….it doesnt last long….. or turn the sound down/off…there is no commentary just elevator music


 [yt]fGihvfuo54g[/yt]


You can see notes on how the movie was made on the last page of the layout thread.


Regards from Vancouver

John

Wow, absolutely fabulous John and a delight to see three engines on the move at the same time in the busy Granby shed. I also found myself fascinated by the animated screen of RR&Co. How long did the sequence take to programme, test and fettle? 

It's so good to see Granby on the move and to know the turntable works so well and looks good within its environment. I do hope it's easy to get some dirty sooty oily grime onto the central bridge support boss!

Very best,

Bill

Thanks Bill…………I am particularly glad you liked it………..I will convert you yet especially with your splendid new layout

  :pedal


You may recall I did try to weather the TT boss with disastrous consequences……..so I think it will remain pristine for the moment.. You are right though it does stand out in those aerial shots…….fortunately its not an angle I see that often.

Difficult to put an exact figure on how long it took to perfect the entire sequence………..a long time I guess………but most of it very enjoyable. The progress from reception to TT entry has been in place for at least 4 years and finessed and tweaked over that period but I never felt comfortable running it virtually unsupervised* until I both replaced the Heljan TT with the Fleischman and eliminated the three way point.

Most of the "rehearsal" time prior to actual shooting was spent with the timing between the individual schedules and avoiding potential conflicts……..for example I had to build in a delay for entering the coaling block for locos that faced forward because the front wheels,particularly 4-6-0s, could foul a loco travelling in the opposite direction as it exited the West Spur……no problem of course with locos entering the coal block tender first……..lots of picky stuff like that

Again so glad you liked it

Best wishes

John 

Great video John, shows the advantages of computer control when operating a large layout by oneself  :thumbs


Ed

Wow… oh… just wow!  You must be very pleased John?
Marty

Excellent, John. 

I know how much work went into it. 

Oh wow !!  That's fabulous John.  Not only the clever electrickery making it all work but the whole scene is just so realistic.  However, you DO need sound - that would take it all to the maximum level !!!   :roll:

It really is magnificent to see what can be achieved with RR & Co in the hands of an expert and, if I had a layout up and running, such spectacles might even tempt me in that direction although, the learning curve would I'm sure, severely tax my few remaining operating brain cells ………………….

As always, Granby absolutely continues to be a true masterpiece.

Superb video John

Nice you included the railroad &co screen to show how it works

Brian

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

Oh wow !!  That's fabulous John.  Not only the clever electrickery making it all work but the whole scene is just so realistic.  However, you DO need sound - that would take it all to the maximum level !!!   :roll:

 It really is magnificent to see what can be achieved with RR & Co in the hands of an expert and, if I had a layout up and running, such spectacles might even tempt me in that direction although, the learning curve would I'm sure, severely tax my few remaining operating brain cells ………………….

As always, Granby absolutely continues to be a true masterpiece.

Be careful what you wish for Peter, as your railway room is just a bit of wall and roof away! I see you are weakening though, so if you promise to use some computer based automation on your new layout, do you think John might stop using his excuse of mild to rampant deafness to avoid sound locos? @ John: Delete mild of rampant to best suit your bank account!

Best,

Bill

Many thanks Ed, Marty, Max (thanks for the Elephant),Peter and Brian for those very kind comments.

I think it is my turn to say Wow! I certainly didnt expect such an enthusiastic response. As you gathered a fair bit of time and effort went into the video……..its amazingly satisfying to know that it was appreciated to this extent


Briperran wrote:

Superb video John

Nice you included the railroad &co screen to show how it works

Brian

I was in two minds about that Brian …..I thought it might be confusing thats why I stuck it at the end but hopefully it showed how RR&Co reserves, occupies and finally releases blocks


Longchap wrote:

Petermac wrote:

Oh  wow !!  That's fabulous John.  Not only the clever electrickery making  it all work but the whole scene is just so realistic.  However, you DO  need sound - that would take it all to the maximum level !!!   :roll:

 It really is magnificent to see what can be achieved with RR  & Co in the hands of an expert and, if I had a layout up and  running, such spectacles might even tempt me in that direction although, the learning curve would I'm sure, severely tax my few remaining operating brain cells ………………….

As always, Granby absolutely continues to be a true masterpiece.

Be careful what you wish for Peter, as your railway room is just a bit  of wall and roof away! I see you are weakening though, so if you promise  to use some computer based automation on your new layout, do you think  John might stop using his excuse of mild to rampant deafness to avoid  sound locos? @ John: Delete mild of rampant to best suit your bank  account!

Best,

Bill

 

I have a longstanding offer to help Peter install RR&Co ………no charge just re imbursement of modest travel expenses :pedal

[user=434]John Dew[/user] wrote:

Thanks Bill…………I am particularly glad you liked it………..I will convert you yet especially with your splendid new layout
 
:pedal

I intend to have three trains on the go quite often John, as I've designed a twin track continuous run (subject to satisfactory radii) and a branch line, so some automation could indeed be utilised. I could and probably will have up and down services simply circulating, while I drive or shunt the branch, however if I decide to complicate things by running timetables and varied services, some degree of automation may prove beneficial. 


As the so called 'leader of the free world' likes to say, when he has absolutely no idea what he's talking about, we'll see!

Best,

Bill    

[user=434]John Dew[/user] wrote: 
 style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"

 Longchap wrote:

Petermac wrote:

Oh  wow !!  That's fabulous John.  Not only the clever electrickery making  it all work but the whole scene is just so realistic.  However, you DO  need sound - that would take it all to the maximum level !!!   :roll:

 It really is magnificent to see what can be achieved with RR  & Co in the hands of an expert and, if I had a layout up and  running, such spectacles might even tempt me in that direction although, the learning curve would I'm sure, severely tax my few remaining operating brain cells ………………….

As always, Granby absolutely continues to be a true masterpiece.

Be careful what you wish for Peter, as your railway room is just a bit  of wall and roof away! I see you are weakening though, so if you promise  to use some computer based automation on your new layout, do you think  John might stop using his excuse of mild to rampant deafness to avoid  sound locos? @ John: Delete mild of rampant to best suit your bank  account!

Best,

Bill

I have a longstanding offer to help Peter install RR&Co ………no charge just re imbursement of modest travel expenses :pedal

If Peter takes the plunge John, I'll have to see if you do a BOGOF offer, we have plenty of accommodation!

Bill

For 21 days I have missed this!!!!

Plausum meruit.

Doug

Looks great. I really like it. 

Chubber wrote:

For 21 days I have missed this!!!!

Plausum meruit.

Doug

Hmm……..I sat and failed O Level Latin before many forum members were even born so you had me stumped there Doug ……but I am guessing that you and Bisto liked it ……..so I am very pleased  Thank you

Best wishes

John

TeaselBay wrote:

Looks great. I really like it.

Thanks Chris :thumbs

Regards

John