You'll likely have come across the term "NEM pockets" when delving into the world of model railway couplers. But what...
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What is an automated shuttle system?
An automated shuttle system is what you would use to make a model train go up and down a line without the need for any operator to physically control the train. Once the system is set up, a train will run back and forth along the line indefinitely and with no intervention.
The system works by installing a 'shuttle control unit' in-line between your own regular controller and the track. The speed of the train is then set on your regular controller and the train will begin its journey down the line.
For the system to work, you will need to install an isolated section at either end of the line. When the train reaches an isolated section, it will stop due to a lack of power. The shuttle unit will then reverse the polarity of the rails and the train will move in the opposite direction from which it came. The isolated section permits power to the rails to facilitate this movement thanks to the use of diodes, which bridge the isolated gap in one direction only.
It's worth mentioning that the shuttle system doesn't reverse the polarity as a result of any sensing components. Instead, the train's movements are regulated and triggered by an internal timer, which can be adjusted to allow for the length of the track, the speed of the train, and how long you wish the train to remain stationary between trips.
The nature of the train's movements makes a shuttle system ideal for automating end-to-end layouts and can be used for most gauges.
Posted in: Power and control
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