Not sure if this is the right forum to post this on, but I'm new to R.R and was wondering if someone could tell me how a track bumper works? Once the train meets the bumper will it stop or do I have to do some special wireing to it?
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In a prototype context, the bumper gets sheared off. In a modeling context, if the bumper is secure enough it will stop the train. The Atlas bumpers will either slide or give way if hit too hard.
No special wiring is normally required, but there are some wiring tricks that can be done to illuminate warning lights on the bumpers (if so equipped) using optical sensors or insulated rail (3-rail). You can also place insulators ahead of the bumper to cut off track power when a locomotive approaches the end of the spur.
Effectively, the bumper will stop a free rolling car but not an engine.
I watch my trains carefully when backing into a siding and stop them a few inches short of the bumper.
If I fail to stop the engine, it always shoves cars off the track somewhere on the siding. This pops the circuit breaker and that stops the engine.
But then I have to manually move the engine, re-rail the cars, and reset the power.
