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 Posted - January 12 2013 : 7:19:42 PM
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Here is my first contribution to the AOTW category, a Walthers "TRIGOR" track section to operate signals. I have yet to find installation instructions for this thing but from what I can gather upon close inspection it works just like Lionel's pressure trigger system. As a train passes over this track section it's weight causes the spring metal contact to break contact with the green light circuit and connect it to the red light circuit. Once the train clears the track section, the pressure is relieved on spring metal contact causing the green light circuit to be restored. The power for the signal's lights is drawn directly from track current.
So here is my question. Has anyone among us in this forum ever used this accessory? If so how well did it work? My guess is that this system must be a real pain to keep in proper working order requiring constant tweaking to keep the spring stiff enough to push against the weight of the track section yet soft enough to trip the circuit when a train rolls over it. At least the fine tuning of the spring's tension is easily accomplished by adjusting those exposed screws. I also suspect that ballasting this track section is out of the question too, but having never seen any installation instructions that is only a guess. I also bet that drawing power directly from the track for the signal's lights must also present problems. In any case, it is an interesting piece of HO scale model railroading history.
TRIGOR UPDATE!!! SEE MY POSTING IN THE "SCENERY AND STRUCTURES" FORUM TO SEE HOW I HOOKED THIS ACCESSORY UP!!!!
Proudly keeping Tyco Pluggers out of landfills since 2016
Edited by - Srenchin on January 18 2013 10:51:43 PM
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Posted - January 12 2013 : 7:29:00 PM
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Here are some close ups of TRIGOR...
Proudly keeping Tyco Pluggers out of landfills since 2016
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Posted - January 12 2013 : 10:01:23 PM
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Well since wheels are not in constant contact as a train goes by I would think this would make the lights flash rather than just change and stay constantly one color.
~CamdenLine
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Posted - January 12 2013 : 10:28:09 PM
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I don't have TRIGOR, but I do have a TROGDOR:
/tyco/forum/uploaded/spiderj76/20130112222303_STC_SCM_728.jpg
 RIP, homestarrunner.com... http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail58.html
Anyway, in all seriousness I tend to agree with your ascertation as to how it works. None of those train-weight-trigger accessories worked very well, but at least this one will give you some sort of steady-state when the green light is on. Won't be a very accurate block-occupancy indicator, though.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My AOTW is not for model trains, but related nonetheless. A gift too, which also happens to be the funniest, coolest, and most unexpected thing I have ever found in my mailbox. Er, doorstep, but same concept. And to top it off, the sender had NO IDEA how much of a "signmeister" I am... so this was perfect!
/tyco/forum/uploaded/spiderj76/20130112222743_AmtrakParking.jpg
Just need to find the right spot for it  Thanks Gareth!
Edited by - spiderj76 on January 12 2013 10:28:40 PM
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Posted - January 13 2013 : 10:26:28 AM
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neat sign but I got one better than that & it was all FREE
The silver box is a Cragg Railcharger Inc That was given to a friend for the parts
Think we oughta start a real 1:1 railroad equipment thread?
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Posted - January 13 2013 : 8:10:54 PM
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Well since wheels are not in constant contact as a train goes by I would think this would make the lights flash rather than just change and stay constantly one color.
~CamdenLine
In order to make the TRIGOR work properly, I think the whole track section must be allowed to float above the roadbed to keep the signal light from flickering. It's a shame that no official instructions exist for this thing so we can know for sure how this accessory is supposed to be hooked up. I was kind of hoping that someone in this forum had experience with this product to shed some light on how to use it. I am tempted to mount this thing on a small piece of plywood to see how well it works.
TRIGOR UPDATE!!! SEE MY POSTING IN THE "SCENERY AND STRUCTURES" FORUM TO SEE HOW I HOOKED THIS ACCESSORY UP!!!!
Proudly keeping Tyco Pluggers out of landfills since 2016
Edited by - Srenchin on January 18 2013 10:52:28 PM
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