Mainline Railways was a British model railway brand that operated between 1976 and 1983, introduced by Palitoy, the...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
What was the Mainline Railways company?Read more -
What is a Wickham Trolley?Read moreA Wickham Trolley is a small railway maintenance vehicle once widely used across Britain's railways. Built by D...
-
What was the Bachmann 'Blue Riband' subbrand ?Read moreThe Blue Riband subbrand was a significant step in the evolution of Bachmann Branchline, the UK division of Bachmann...
-
Do I need to apply a camber to a tight curve of track on my layout?Read moreApplying a camber to a tight curve of track on your model railway layout can help improve the realism and operation...
-
Avoiding the "Toy Train Look": Realistic Track ArrangementsRead moreA well-designed model railway is more than just a collection of tracks and trains: it’s a miniature world that...
What advantages do servo motors have over solenoids for operating points and semaphore signals on a model railway layout?
Servo motors offer several advantages over solenoids when it comes to operating points and semaphore signals on a model railway layout.
Here are some key advantages of using servo motors:
- Precise control : servo motors provide precise control over the movement of points and semaphore signals. They can be programmed to move to specific positions, allowing for accurate alignment of tracks and signals. This level of control ensures smooth and reliable operation of the layout.
- Variable speed and acceleration : servo motors allow for variable speed and acceleration, which means it is possible to control the rate at which points and signals move. This flexibility enables more realistic and prototypical operation, as a servo motor can mimic the gradual movement of real-world railway switches and signals.
- Continuous rotation : unlike solenoids that have limited movement range, servo motors can rotate continuously. This feature is particularly useful when simulating complex track configurations. With servo motors, the Modeller has greater flexibility in designing their layout.
- Feedback mechanism : servo motors often come with built-in feedback mechanisms, such as potentiometers or encoders, that provide positional feedback. This allows a modeller to monitor the exact position of points and signals, ensuring accurate and consistent operation. With this feedback, it is also possible to implement automatic control systems, such as block detection or train detection, for enhanced layout automation.
- Quiet and smooth operation : servo motors operate quietly and smoothly, which is beneficial for maintaining a peaceful and enjoyable model railway environment. Solenoids, on the other hand, tend to produce loud and abrupt movements, which can be disruptive and less pleasing to the ears.
It's worth noting that both servo motors and solenoids have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them ultimately depends on the modeller's specific requirements and preferences. However, for operating points and semaphore signals on a model railway layout, servo motors generally offer more precise control, flexibility and smoother operation.
Posted in: Power and control
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Cobalt Omega Classic Slow Action Point Motor
Price: £ 19.95Dimensions:Body only: 28mm x 38mm x 52mm deep Top overall inc Fulcrum and...
Side Mounted Turnout Motor
Price: £ 11.25Side Mounted Turnout Motor Clips directly into a Peco 00/H0 Setrack Turnout,...
Related posts
-
Can a "DCC ready" train be used on analogue?Yes, you can use a DCC ready train on your analogue layout. DCC ready just means that the train has been factory... - Is it difficult to fit a DCC decoder in to a DCC ready engine?In theory, it should be easy as the whole idea of being DCC Ready is to simplify the process. The first time I did...
- What is 7/0.2 wire?7/02 wire is a wire made of 7 strands of 0.2mm wire. Stranded wire has the advantage of being flexible while solid...
- Is an N Gauge controller compatible with OO Gauge?Yes, an N Gauge controller is compatible with OO gauge trains. You may have to change the power clip to the track...
- Is stranded wire better than solid wire?In my experience, stranded wire is preferable over solid wire. Stranded wire is more flexible than solid core wire,...