Building A Modular Model Railway! - Episode Ten: How To Install Point Motors

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

For those wondering, I kept the springs in the points deliberately. While the layout usually runs on DCC, when I switch it over to DC the power is routed through the point blades. Keeping the springs means the blades are locked into place better. It's a "belt and braces" approach and I may remove them in the future but the audible "click" you get when the point switches is a handy way to confirm it's all working as expected too. Thanks for watching 😃

[@fircombehallrailwayoogauge1430]

Good point.

[@Puckeater22]

I've been watching these videos from the first one to this one and so far it's been amazing. Can't wait to start my layout. This video has helped them most! Point switch's are my nightmares! Never done them and scared to do them! You have an amazing looking layout and I can't wait to finish the whole series and see the end product of your layout! Many thanks

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, really glad you've been enjoying the videos Connor. Hopefully there will be more layout updates along soon once I have some time to work on the layout. Best of luck with your own layout and thanks for watching 😃

[@Puckeater22]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy if you don't mind me asking. What parts did you buy from megapoints? ( The control board names and stuff) I'd like to use the same type of items as what you've done with the points yet still need to work out how many points I'm going to have... Thanks again

[@nwrstories8701]

I was looking for a simple to input system for points ext such as this. This system seems so simple and easy to use especially for someone who has sub par wiring skills such as me. Great video. Can't wait to see what comes next. I'm so invested in this layout.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I can definitely confirm that the Megapoints controllers are really easy to use, even for an idiot like me! 😂 This is really only just scratching the surface of what they can do though, so I expect they'll feature in more videos in the future. In the meantime though, now that the point are working I can turn my attention to the scenery! Thanks for watching 👍

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Nice update there.Thanks for the info on install piont.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Thank you and Thank you very much for replying to my comment. I would love if you could take a quick look at my page and any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I have a new video out now. Hope you like and share.

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video mate. You have done a great job at explaining how to install the paint motor and wireing it up ect. I have a fwe points on my layout that i will be motorising in the future.- Nicholas.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey Nicholas, thanks really glad you enjoyed it. Hope this helps when it comes to adding motors to your own points in the future. Thanks for watching 😃

[@fircombehallrailwayoogauge1430]

You have given an excellent introduction to the Megapoints Controller's system. The wiring looks scary but the instructions and KZbin videos walk you through the steps very easily. With help, I have fitted 24 servos, operated using the Megapoints System. Deciding exactly what to order from Megapoints can be a bit daunting, so get help from someone who already uses it on their layout. The Plug and Play approach makes fault finding much easier. My tip would be to remember to label each point and the connecting lead to it. It really is a cracking system that allows for easy expansion and additions such as route selection, signals, block detection etc. I look forward to following your progress!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, that’s really great to hear. Yeah I would definitely recommend watching Dave’s own videos to anyone who wants to use this system as he’s made them really easy to follow and understand. I’ve certainly got lots more ideas for things I want to do wit Megapoints so I’m sure there will be another video in the future! Thanks for watching 😃

[@jackmellars1685]

Great video, They look really simply to wire up and install, just a quick thought though if you took the springs out of the points would you get the slow moving characteristics of a tortoise point motor

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Jack, yeah it is really simple to put together and Megapoints is really easy to use too. You're absolutely right about removing the springs to get slow moving points. The only reason I didn't personally is because I sometimes run the layout in DC mode where the power is routed through the point blades, so having the spring still in place was a "belt and braces" moment. Thanks for watching 😃

[@tonyhill6296]

I do not rely upon the tiny contact spring (on the underside of each blade) to transfer the power to the switch blades and hence to the frog. When and if these eventually fail or are damaged from extended use, you are faced with the need to disturb the ballast, scenic treatment etc to repair/replace the point, which is both very time consuming and disruptive. I have over 40 points on my current layout and some have seen over 25 years of service. To avoid any breakdown of these critical contacts and/or replacement of points long term I hard wire each blade and it’s adjacent stock (fixed) rail to an INDIVIDUAL set of contacts on a sub- miniature 12v coil relay associated with each point. A micro switch, added if necessary, to each servo triggers (energises) the relay only when set to the Reverse (R) position. When de-energised (the point will be in the Normal (N) position. The blade for the R route is wired to the N/o contacts and the N blade to the N/c contacts of the relay. The coil circuits are powered from a separate and common 12v d.c. supply. Thus the blades are no longer reliant on the contact spring under each blade. I noted that in the video on platform construction you mention the need to avoid painting rails where the blades meet the stock rail. Please note this is not how the power is transferred (it’s via the contact spring under the blade) and the method presented here will also enable full painting of the rails. In the case where ‘electrofrog’ points are installed the wiring is simpler as the blades and stock rails are permanently bonded to the blades the relay only needs to switch the frog. A great video for modifying/wiring ‘elecrofrog’ points is available on the ‘Chadwick’ channel. I hope my notes will be of interest to you and other followers of your clear and well presented content. I particularly like the use of paper spacers to centre the tie bar. Every day a school day, even at over 80! Happy Modelling T🚂

[@adam_fordham]

Great, I didn't know about these point motors, they seem to work really well and it will make running more easier as you know where they points are set, well done 👍🏻

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey Adam, yeah the servos are great! Pretty cheap and they have plenty of other applications as well. They're not limited to being used with the Megapoints system either but I have admit that made the wiring and the control panel so much easier to put together! Thanks for watching 😃

[@miketreehouse]

Really interesting, thanks for the video. To be pedantic, that's aluminium channel, not angle (Angle is L-shaped).

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Doh! You’re absolutely right, slip of the tongue on my part 😂 Glad you found it interesting though, thanks for watching 👍

[@miketreehouse]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy so does the piano wire "pivot" on the hole in the channel? so when the servo moves in one direction, the wire above the board moves in the other?

[@markbridgmansmith1655]

did you consider using microbit to control the servos? (you will be limited to the number of servos you can control) but appears "cheaper".. asking for a cash strapped friend. M

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Not really as it was less about using servos and more about having the control panel and the ease of wiring by using this system. For more budget friendly options I'd probably look at the servo controllers by either RK or Heathcote Electronics as those are more ready to use products designed for model railway use. Thanks for watching 👍

[@markbridgmansmith1655]

thanks for the advice, RK seem to fit with me, @@ThatModelRailwayGuy

[@amwoodworking1406]

Can you add some links in the future

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

My pleasure, duly added to the description now. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

[@robf2059]

Great Video, but @ 8:47 you show a toggle switch that moves the motor, but you don't show how or where it is connected to the board - or which board? Also it doesn't show how the Boards are powered or where the LED's are plugged in It feels like the video has gone from installing 1, to skipping to having a complete layout without showing A to Z of how to install a servo motor, and wire it up to; both boards, a toggle switch and a LED, It there a Video that shows this or could you do one just showing 1 Servo install from start to finish for us absolute Noobs?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

With this system you have options. You can either plug in toggle switches directly on the servo board or connect the separate mimic panel board if you want LEDs too. The boards are powered by 12v DC. As I explained in the section starting at 09:14, I have all the switches and LEDs plugged into the mimic panel board, which in turn communicates with the servo board to move the corresponding motor. Everything is numbered on the boards, so Switch No1 activates LED No1 and tells the servo board to move Servo No1, etc. Bare in mind that this video was about installing a motor on the layout, less about the control system used. As I mentioned early on in the video, Megapoints have done their own videos explaining how to wire up the system in great detail so there wasn't much point in repeating it here. Obviously this isn't the only system you can use either, there are plenty of other methods for controlling servo motors on a layout which all work differently. Thanks for watching 👍

[@seagraverailwaysandmodels2408]

A very useful looking system - I might explore using it when the time comes for points on my layout. Thanks for the video.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It certainly is, though it is expensive. I do feel it's worth it though considering how easy it is to set everything up and this video barely even scratches the surface of what Megapoints Controllers are capable of. Best of all it just works, which is what you want from a system like this. Thanks for watching 😃

[@thesudricmerman3318]

Just installed my own point moters it lot hard than it looks 😅

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Haha, yeah it took me a while as well. Glad I remembered to drill all the holes in the baseboard before laying the track though! Thanks for watching 😃

[@tagsdm]

Gosh, that's really nicely done, That Model Railway Guy. I'm amazed at how effortlessly the little loco operates through the switches. Even the slip seems to pose no problem for it. You've done a great job.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, the tender engines never have any issues at all because they have so many wheels/pickups. Occasionally the Peckett and Ruston will stall on the points but only if I'm running them at an absolute crawl and I haven't cleaned the track in a while! Thanks for watching 😃

[@Weesel71]

Excellent video. You show the essential elements and explain the key points very well.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! I often struggle with finding a balance on giving enough information but not over doing it, so it's always nice to know that people are able to follow the videos easily. Thanks for watching 😃

[@michaelwhiles5282]

Another instructional and useful video. Thank you.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Really glad to hear that Michael, thanks for watching! 😃

[@_RandomPea]

Im trying to work out how to have leds for directions but when using normal solenoid motors. Any tips or details on building mimic panels would be awesome 😎

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I believe the PM1 solenoids have a built in relay/switch that can be used to power directional LEDs on a display panel. Thanks for watching 😃

[@_RandomPea]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy AH rats, I got the ones from rails. They are really decent but I'll need to work out what I'm going to do for a panel. A project for once the layout is built perhaps

[@rileysrailways5735]

Well done! I couldn’t imagine doing this myself…

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! The first one is really difficult but after that it gets easier as you figure out the best way of doing things. Thanks for watching 😃

[@derrickhirst1799]

what size piano wire are you using?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

There's a link to the stuff I used in the description. Generally though it will depend on the size of the holes in your points. Thanks for watching 😃

[@williamsworkshopuk]

How is it you have a dremel, but not a hacksaw? :)

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey William, I do have a hacksaw - it just didn't want to play ball with the aluminium channel 😂 I found the dremel more consistent and much faster too, which is an important factor when you have to do something 10+ times while filming to a deadline. Thanks for watching 👍

[@darkfrag83]

You mention the extra stuff megapoints can do. Anyone who saw/read about Pete Waterman's 00 layout in Chester cathedral, all the points, signals etc were controlled by megapoints stuff.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

You're absolutely right! They're using the new Auto Signal boards I think, which look awesome for colour light signals. Thanks for watching 😃

[@treinenliefde]

Fun to see a British layout using servos for point control. Here in the Netherlands it's a really common technique, interesting how it doesnt seem to be in the UK. Here you even see people buy bulk loads of them online and wiring them up themselves as a cheaper alternative to the fancy slow action point motors. Havent seen this more plug and go technique though, definitely something to look into when Ill start building my layout. Oh and have you removed the springs from your points? Looking at the way the point blades slowly move and than snap into place it doesnt seem so. If you remove the springs and get the servo to move the points into position it all moves slower and more prototypical. Might be a fun thing on some points at a more scenic area.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It's pretty common here in the UK too, after all Megapoints is entire business that is built mainly around people using servos for model railways. I guess they have more competition here as we're spoilt for choice with servos and SEEP motors as well as ready to plant options from companies like Hornby and PECO. The Megapoints system is what makes it really easy to setup though and I love that fact that it's just one wire to connect the control panel to my layout 😃 You're right, I did leave the springs in. Usually my layout runs on DCC but when I switch it over to DC then the power is routed by the point blades instead, so the springs are there just help with the connection. I may remove them in the future although the audible "click" is quite handy, if unrealistic. Thanks for watching 👍

[@stormbowman7148]

I have tried different servo mounts, but ended up just using hot glue. It _will_ hold. The stress on the servo from the piano wire is not enough to loosen the bond. I also flip the servo on its side to maximize the surface for the glue, and to minimize the vertical space taken up by the servo.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, good to know that's another way of attaching them. Personally I quite like using the brackets as it makes it easier to replace or adjust the motor should there ever be a problem. Thanks for watching 😃

[@davidcutts2650]

Brilliant. These type of servos etc are commonly used in radio controlled cars & boats etc. 👍👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

You're absolutely right David, they're used all over the place in all sorts of builds and hobbies. Moving a point side to side is probably one of the simplest uses by comparison 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@mousehouse4617]

Great video! Just one question - How did you cut down the excess piano wire above the point? Thanks

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey there, I just used a pair of wire cutters. That did the job fairly quickly with minimal fuss. Thanks for watching 👍

[@davidv.2148]

I love the concept! I have a question regarding the behavior of a hobby servo on power up. Since the hobby type servo has a control board and encoder inside the servo, when it powers up, typically they move a few degrees, then move back to a commanded position as soon as the position signal is received. If you turn on a model airplane onboard electronics, the servos (at lease mine do) "jump" the control services a few degrees, then go back once the transmitter signal is processed. Does this system do this? I suppose the push wire has a lot of accommodation in it and probably wouldn't hurt anything, but I was wondering if they have a way to stop this?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi David, you’re absolutely right in that the servos do jump when powered on. For the points it doesn’t really register but the semaphore signals (which I’ve now motorised in the same way) do get a bit of a shock. I think the only way to get round this as far as I know is to use digital servos instead which don’t jump on startup. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

[@davidv.2148]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Thank you for the reply. Do you think it will hurt your semaphore signals?

[@darkfrag83]

Where did you source your servos from please?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey Matt, I literally just got them from Amazon! A pack of 10 cost me about £12 I think, hope that helps 😊

[@thomasmcelroy3637]

hiya. i did not about these motors. will have to look into them. thanks for the info and great video. cheers tom.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey Thomas, yeah servo motors are awesome. They're not just limited to model railways either (I believe they get used in model planes and boats a lot too) so there's lots of flexibility with how you use them. Thanks for watching 😃

[@thomasmcelroy3637]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy yes i think they do. thanks for the heads up. cheers tom.

[@nwrstories8701]

Do you have, or know of any other KZbinrs who can simply explain how to install and writeup electrofrog points?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Check out Dean Park Model Railway! He has a really good in depth video on exactly this 😊

[@kenr86]

As well as the servo controller board, Megapoints also make a relay driver board, so you can have a relay operating in parallel with the servo, and use the relay to switch the power to the point frog.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

@@kenr86 Hi Ken, yeah if you're already using the Megapoints system the relay driver would definitely be the easiest way to switch the frog. As I'm using insulfrog points though I don't need to worry about that. Thanks for watching 😃

[@peterjones7673]

Good video and well explained

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Peter, glad to hear that as I was worried what I was doing didn’t come across properly 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@trafficface]

Green lantern fan?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Ermm you've lost me there... because of the green LEDs? 😕

[@JohnSmithShields]

Excellent as always.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks John, great to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@matthewverrelli4819]

That’s sick

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Matthew, really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@ryanemerry]

Thanks!!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

My pleasure Ryan! Thanks for watching 😃

[@johnodonoghue7381]

Nice one

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃