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A, Introduction

Model 402, 4-Track Yard (Largescale)

This Model 402 is the LATEST design, done in May 2006

Showing Model 401 & essentically identical Model 402
*m*e*n*u | 402
* Model 402 *


Video #644
A Introduction
B Drawings
C About PDF's

* PDF Directory

  More dwgs in previous
  Model 401 pages
  (20F17)

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*G *m*e*n*u-09i | Plans-IAC
* G Plans *

1 AutoControls Home

6 Plans Index
7 Museum
  (Previous Plans )
8 Special Parts
10 List of Videos

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 1-trk (Mdl 106)
 2=trk (Mdl 206)
 4-trk (Mdl 402)
 (20F17.)


Model 402 vs earlier Model 401:

This Model 402 is almost the same as the earlier Model 401.  The only difference is that the Model 402 control unit is built with all 4 switch motors on 1 template (base), whereas the Model 401 was designed as an expansion of the Model 205 2-track unit, and thus uses 2 separate templates (bases). Compare Photos 4 and 5  on this page to see the difference.

After browsing these 3 Model 402 pages, you can browse additional drawings in the Model 401 pages.  Note a lot of the text in the 401 pages, is discussion on how to expand from 2-tracks to 4-tracks.



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Photo 1 - 4-Track Automatic Yard. built in 1996, operating in Denver Co, Feb 1996.
This photo was "screen captured" from the Quicktime Video #2.

 

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Photo 2 - 4-Track Automatic Yard "to go". Designer James Ingram is shown carrying the Zellner Yard 4-track system, ready to begin setup at the Toy Train Expo, Williamsport Pa, December 2001.
The white control units are visible in the upper left corner of the green board.

 

 

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Photo 3 - The same 4-track Zellner Yard in operation. Note trains 2, 3, and 4 sitting in the yard.
Train 5 on the mainline has just "released" Train 1, shown exiting the yard.
Train 5 will enter the yard on the empty Track 1. Train 1 will later "release" Train 2, and so on.

Note Train 6, the S-gauge S Helper Server switcher, with Soundtraxx DCC,
is being automatically controlled point-to-point by the 386 laptop computer at right, Item 7.
(See the S Gauge DCC Computer Control page for more details.)

 

 

 

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Photo 4 - Closeup of of control units. Note that the base is a laminated, colored template
that shows all wire paths and hookup wiring diagrams.
The drawings for these templates are included on this website.

Note this 1996 design uses the original 2-track template shown on the right, and a "helper control unit" shown on the left, in order to create a 4-track control.

 

 

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Photo 5 - This 2006 Model 402 template design puts all the parts on 1 large template.

 

MPEG Movies - showing the above 4-Track Unit

  • MPEG Movie 3 -- 15 seconds, 320 pixels -- showing the above 4-track Zellner Yard in operation -viewed from rear
  • MPEG Movie 4 -- 15 seconds, 320 pixels -- showing the above 2-track Automatic Switching Block in operation -viewed from front
  • MPEG Movie 5 -- 60 seconds, 160 pixels -- showing the above 4-track Zellner Yard in operation -viewed from rear
  • MPEG Movie 6 -- 60 seconds, 160 pixels -- showing the above 2-track Automatic Switching Block in operation -viewed from front

 

Note the general principle of operation:

  • The switching block holds 4 trains in the yard, until the 5th train on the mainline "releases" one of the trains in the yard.
  • The train on the mainline then enters the yard on the empty track.
  • This sequencing continues so all 5 trains take their turn running around the layout.

This page created May 2006; modified 12/6/2009 (20F17.) by . . (bottom include)
JamesRobertIngram.com , Williamsport PA, Apache Junction AZ