Trolley with reversing bumpers

Thanks,I think it would be easier to use 2 as the distance is 20+ feet apart.

Instead of jumping through all of those electronic hoops, does anyone know if there's such a thing as an O GAUGE BUMP AND GO TROLLEY THAT HAS A BUILT IN ADJUSTABLE TIMER SO IT STOPS EVERY TIME IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT BUMPS AND REVERSES?

Agreed a trolley with built-in timing smarts would be the closest exit.

But this being a discussion forum, this does identify a new tack.  That is, you insert the dual-timing module inside the trolley.  There are some loose-ends to tie up but then you would not have to mess with cutting the track rails or what have you.  One could detect/sense the mechanical bumping action to trigger the delay timing module.  Or the original trigger method I showed using a magnet and reed-switch could be used; in this case the magnet would be placed in the track bed near each end and the reed-switch would be placed on the bottom of the trolley.  Power would be continuously applied to the track.  The timing module's relay would cut power to the motor for 10-20 seconds when needed.  $5-10 per trolley so it could add up if you need to modify a large fleet...as opposed to putting the electronics on the track/layout side.

This method has the benefit of allowing trolley interior LED/lights to remain ON when stopped since there is continuous power on the track!  The passengers will surely appreciate this.

Very interesting.  Not a lot of room inside the trolley for a module, but perhaps there's something relatively small that could be used.

On another trolley related topic, the Lionel instructions (71-8404-250) Rev. A for my Trolley #8419 say the following re: armature bearing lubrication: "IMPORTANT! Replace set screw and tighten down snugly, then back off 1/2 turn".

If I do what it says, the trolley won't run at all: I have to back off about 3-4 turns!

Any idea what's going on?

@JD2035RR posted:

Hi Sam,

First question is which trolley do you have?  If you have a postwar style bump and go trolley with out the electronic reverse unit, then below are a few postwar products that will fit the bill.  Each of these operate nearly the same, and interrupt power for an adjustable period of time, before restoring power and sending the trolley along its way.  You could wire it in such a way that only one of the items below is needed to control both ends of your trolley line.

https://www.tandem-associates....l_trains_115_acc.htm

https://www.tandem-associates....l_trains_132_acc.htm

https://www.tandem-associates....l_trains_253_acc.htm

I tried that with the middle one and 2 newer trolleys. The trolleys simply don't draw enough amps to trip the resister.

@ftauss posted:

I tried that with the middle one and 2 newer trolleys. The trolleys simply don't draw enough amps to trip the resister.

A power resistor inside the trolley across the track power pickups can increase the Amps.  Probably need to makes some Ohm meter measurements or experiment a bit to find a suitable value.

@cpasam posted:

Very interesting.  Not a lot of room inside the trolley for a module, but perhaps there's something relatively small that could be used.

Right.  Google found a photo of an open interior trolley which actually had a ruler.  I then took a photo of the dual-timer module and an AC-to-DC converter module - and made the photos roughly the same scale.  I suppose one might find a way to cram the two boards in sideways, diagonally, or whatever and some remodeling...but would no doubt block silhouette figures creating dark spots.

I wonder if the resistor can be put on the track side sizing it to reduce the trip margin.  That would be an easy install.  Only one resistor would be required, as opposed to one per trolley.

@shorling posted:

I wonder if the resistor can be put on the track side sizing it to reduce the trip margin.  That would be an easy install.  Only one resistor would be required, as opposed to one per trolley.

I think that could work! 

I suppose the penalty is you'd always be drawing power even when the trolley is not in the stop section.  This constant power draw would "pre-heat" the thermostatic NiChrome resistor/switch which would affect the stop-timing range though probably not consequential.

Yes, there is the power draw penalty.   I thinking the NiChrome wire is wrapped around a bimetallic strip and acts as a strip preheater. The resistor would draw current through the strip adding more pre-heat thereby reducing the trip margin.  Like Stan said some experimentation would be required to assess feasibility and resistor value.  The Lionel 253 Signal could be used.  If the signal lights were objectionable, the 253 could be easily modified to essentially a similar look as a Lionel 153IR..