Model Railway Shuttle System - BLOCKsignalling - SS2A DC Shuttle System with Speed Controller

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I've watched Laurie use these on a couple of his layouts. They are a great idea. I am crap at soldering although just about manage the connections I need. Good job and well explained. It looks good.

[@SDJR7F88]

Oh yes, it's were I heard about then from. This was my first attempt at Soldering, so it really was a learning curve for me too ;) Glad you enjoyed it

[@UKxGREENY]

Bought the standard one last week for a future project great minds seem to think alike.

[@SDJR7F88]

Oh yes! Looking forward to seeing what you have planned :)

[@Calvertfilm]

I find the SS2As really inexpensive solutions to simple analogue control automated over a short distance. Pecketts and high quality locos respond really well. I was considering have one of these on my shelve layout that just shuttles in the background. Cheers Laurie.

[@SDJR7F88]

Indeed! Really amazed by it! Excellent value for money! Oh yes, the Pecketts are perfect for little layouts like this :)

[@alexs5700]

crackin set up callum hope to see you doing more of this type of video

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed and glad you enjoyed it. Hope to do more tutorials like this in the future. They take a fair bit of time to film, but work it :)

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Great review Callum and good luck with your soldering. Regards charlie

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks Charlie! Still needs a bit of work, before I attempted sound decoders. Glad you enjoyed it

[@EmperorsPath]

I'm a bit behind, but this video was really helpful in deciding weather to order a unit or not! Thank you.

[@SDJR7F88]

No worries at all! Glad it was of help :)

[@gs425]

Nice video Callum. Can I make 2 suggestions... 1. Lead free solder is harder to get right and melts at much higher temperature so more likely to damage surroundings. I would always suggest traditional solder, and additionally it's always best to flow some solder on each component first, then remelt them together. 2. If you bent one of the diode leads back on itself you could have drilled a blind hole between ends of sleepers to drop diode into, then folded out each lead to solder to rail. I use a similar gaugemaster unit on my self unit so I can have trains shuttling in my office whilst I'm (supposed to be) working :-)

[@lorrainedimmock4096]

I always use a separate flux and tin the parts first...

[@gs425]

@@lorrainedimmock4096 if you use a decent solder it has the flux built in so you don't need to add separate flux. It's not like a plumbing job. MULTICORE is the brand of choice for the industry. It's also non corrosive so doesn't need to be cleaned off afterwards. Hope this helps.

[@MrKlf1956]

Nice work mate and thanks for taking the time.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks Kevin. Glad it was of help

[@rogersea6529]

very well explained - also very clear video - thankyou !

[@SDJR7F88]

No worries, glad it was of help

[@duncan1945]

Hi Callum, Ive only just got around to doing the shuttle on my layout. Please can you tell me , is it purely a 12v direct plug to the unit ? Mine has to be with a controller, So i have to plug that in to a separate plug as well ???? All the best Duncan. @ Cornwall.

[@SDJR7F88]

This one is a pure 12v unit, no controller required. Just plus in a 12v 1amp wall plug (which needs to be purchases separately). Sound like you've got on of the other units they produce

[@duncan1945]

@@SDJR7F88 Hi Callum, Thanks for that. I was wondering what plug to buy. Yes I have an old one I think. I’ve had it ages . Bit more involved than I thought. 👍🏻🚂

[@charlie1872]

Hi, I am in the process of installing a shuttle service, can you tell me what size the diodes are? Thanks. Ps nice snow effect

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks. Sadly I can't remember what size they were, but they were included with the shuttle. However, I believe they've updated the system, so now it has wires rather than diodes (if that's the one you have). Sorry I can't be of more help. All the best

[@richardarcher3435]

Thanks for this. I notice that the loco models the acceleration and deceleration, and that is the point of the SS2A version, but I see no way adjust that. Is the amount of accel / deceleration just built in and not adjustable? For instance, if the loco was pulling a bigger train you would want the acceleration and deceleration to take longer.

[@richardarcher3435]

I've just seen it in the instructions, under the heading Setting the Acceleration Rate, quote "The rate of acceleration can be varied with memory M4, which has a default value of 5 and can be set between 1 and 60 (where 60 is the slowest rate of acceleration).". I presume that applies to deceleration aswell.

[@richardarcher3435]

A question - if whilst your train is in shuttle mode and it derails, I wonder could you bring the train to a realistic emergency stop using that tiny speed dial? If I were to attach a bigger dial to that small one I could then get better control in order to bring the train to a smoother modelled emergency stop. Is that possible?

[@NothusDeusVagus]

Thankyou for your fine presentation... I may be pre-empting this other or future intended videos you have in mind but I am wondering if there is a automation module I can easily incorporate from the outset or retrofit into a layout that will allow a train that once it enters onto an isolated block of track to start to decrease it's speed, eventaully coming to a complete stop once it reaches a designated point and then remain stationary at that point for a set time, let's say 30-45seconds and then rec-commence it's journey, in the same direction that it was initially travelling in. Essentially replicating the train's action as it perform that would enable passengers to embark or disembark at a station stop?

[@SDJR7F88]

Hi there, currently there are no plans to include such a feature on my layouts. However, I know the company that made this unit do do a station stop system! Check out there website for more info. Hope it's of help :)

[@NothusDeusVagus]

SDJR7F88 - My apologies for my tardy response. Thankyou.

[@Steves00gauge]

Thank you for this video it’s brilliant and very helpful

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lorrainedimmock4096]

I am intending to use my fiddle yard run off as my track brake, that will be taking the train right out of the scenic section, so join completely out of sight...looks good...is this for DCC fitted locos though.?

[@SDJR7F88]

Sounds like a plan! Will be ideal for that. Just like on my Fry's Somerdale micro layout. Sadly it won't work with DCC, just analogue/DC models

[@Theoriginalborgy]

This is great and looks easy to set up for a end to end layout. great informative video. Is there any way we could use this on a DC loop with a passing siding with powered points?

[@SDJR7F88]

Hi Leigh. Many thanks! Sadly not this unit, however there are many others in the range that can switch points and do station stops :) Hope it's of help

[@RichRocketMan]

If there is plenty of room for error on the track, do we really need thd diode? Wouldn't the train follow the same essential movements without it given the reversing of polarity and timing by the unit? I'm just trying to understand how it works. Thanks!

[@SDJR7F88]

Hi Rich. The diodes are very much needed, as they reverse the trains. If not installed the trains will just carry on in one direction without stopping

[@RichRocketMan]

@@SDJR7F88 Understood! Many thanks!

[@markwilson8002]

Great video, just bought one off the back of this, mine did not come withe diodes as they are now part of the circuit board.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks Mark! Glad it was of help! Yes, my friend picked up a couple recently too and said they have changed a bit, but still work a treat :)

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Nice one Callum, glad to see it slow the loco down as well as speed it up, what does the small 'program' button do?

[@SDJR7F88]

Was very pleased by that! Think it resets the unit to factory settings, I think. I'll have to have a look at the full instructions online and see what it says :)

[@condor499]

Hi, that video is a very helpfull demonstration! Thanks for that. But is it possible to include the branchtrail as well? For excample with a built in "stopp-switch"? - means: if switch is taken the maintrail is off power and the branchtrail is on power? Perhaps additional diods iare needed with the branchtrail? Any experiences excists? If it works two lokos could run in exchange. Thanks in advance for your reply. Regards from Bavaria - Helge

[@SDJR7F88]

Morning, believe there is a different system for that, which they also produce, but a controller is required

[@NorbertRoll]

Very interesting and informative.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks Norbert! Glad it was of help :)

[@queenscentralmodelrailway]

I purchased a SAS1 Conroller and it didnt come with any diodes at all. can you tell me what type of diodes you used, so I can order some? Thx,

[@SDJR7F88]

I believe the system has been update since this video that is does not require them anymore (my friend got one recently and mentioned it has some extra wiring with it instead) Hopefully all should be explained on the instruction manual.

[@eettwward]

Is it just a hornby controller power supply you can use?

[@SDJR7F88]

No, a 12v 1amp power supply will need to be sourced, as I think a Hornby one will overload it

[@eettwward]

Were did you get yours?

[@eettwward]

Also does both wheels of the peckett go over the diode?

[@duncan1945]

Brilliant.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks

[@smalllayouts945]

I might have missed this in the video, but two questions: 1. Does this work for DC and DCC locos 2. Can I still independently run my locos at any time if I want to?

[@SDJR7F88]

Hi there, the is designed for DC, so not sure if a chipped loco will be able to run on it. As for running independent locos, you would need a separate controller, you would also might need to isolate the shuttle unit from the rails when the other controller is plugged in, just in case. Hope its of help!

[@smalllayouts945]

Thanks! I wasn’t sure whether I would need to isolate the shuttle system and that’s what I wanted to know.

[@barryharding1842]

Obviously only for Analogue ie 12 v DC. Is there a DCC version?

[@SDJR7F88]

I believe they do do one. But it's a different system and needs to be hooked up to a normal DCC controller

[@nigelwright7557]

Why didnt they put the diodes on the pcb like Platform Four Model Railway Controls do ? Cutting track isn't required, just use plastic fishplates.

[@SDJR7F88]

An updated version of the system has been released since this video was published, which does away with the diodes.

[@kingorry7223]

So is this what layouts at those model shows use

[@SDJR7F88]

Indeed, some may use other systems, but this is one of best for valve for money :)

[@johnb5896]

Hi i am new at this just wondering where can i buy some from thank you

[@SDJR7F88]

Hi John There is a link in the video discription. Hope it's of help

[@ВалерийФилиппов-д8о]

Ok.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks

[@azlolfab]

The video is average ok; but I bet you can't do another video without using three words, as follows - "basically", "obviously", and "hopefully", ? Alan

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks for the feedback