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General => Trains! => Topic started by: VicKlicktor on April 05, 2019, 19:20:53

Title: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: VicKlicktor on April 05, 2019, 19:20:53

Hello,

Has anyone used this set in layouts?

Playdalai at Amclicks shows these photos in a thread where many items not included in Collector 3rd edition book are rediscovered:

(http://amclicks.org/foro/curiosidades-y-miscelanea/revision-y-actualizacion-del-collector-3a-edicion-(comentarios)/?action=dlattach;attach=5522;image)
7374 (UK version)
7375 (USA version)

(http://amclicks.org/foro/curiosidades-y-miscelanea/revision-y-actualizacion-del-collector-3a-edicion-(comentarios)/?action=dlattach;attach=5524;image)

I am confused, according to the instructions image this set would not be used in a loop, just in open straight tracks. What would be the idea to have it if the loco driving direction (forward/back) can be changed directly with the control speed knob in transformer? First photo says "automatic reversing" but the knob has to be turned off manually to stop the train just in the buffer, I guess.  ???

LGB has a reversing loop (P/N 10151) which makes more sense:
(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/Madman/HOW%20TO/100_5158.JPG)
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: playmofire on April 05, 2019, 19:36:29
You use this unit where you have an end-to-end layout rather than a  round-and-round one.

The train runs to one end of the line, pauses and then returns to where it started and pauses again before repeating the process.

By using points at each end, you can actually have the train running end-ot-end while going round and round a layout.

I'm away from home but will post some photos when I return.

You'll find more here:
http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=16220.0
but sadly the video doesn't work any more thanks to Photobucket.  I'm away from home at the moment, but I'll upload the video to my YouTube channel when I get home on Monday.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: Marco_4124 on April 05, 2019, 22:12:46
Give me a little time to react.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: VicKlicktor on April 05, 2019, 23:46:18


By using points at each end, you can actually have the train running end-ot-end while going round and round a layout.

I'm away from home but will post some photos when I return.


Thanks! Now it makes more sense to me.
It will be very interesting to watch those photos
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: Marco_4124 on April 07, 2019, 08:30:36
Playmobil 7374 is not intended for reversing loops, but to allow a train to automatically move back and forth between two end points. It is still being made, but as a LGB L10345 (old version 10340 and even older 0090) (https://static.maerklin.de/damcontent/2c/d1/2cd1c8b75b52820073ee7a6ab63cb0b61551852655.pdf) reversing unit. For Playmobil only the shape of the buffer stop has been changed. In the buffer stop is the electronics that ensures that the train automatically turns after detection in the track. If I am not wrong, the waiting time can also be set.

P.s.: If the manual is still included in the box, you can help me with scans from it. Than I can add it to the list of old train manuals for other Playmobil train fans (I translate them to PDF files).
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: Walts-Trains on April 07, 2019, 18:42:40
These were issued to shops from the 1980s for shop displays. This was when the Playmobil trains ran on LGB track.
I know of one at the Conwy Valley Railway Museum in Betws Y Coed that has been operating in the shop for over 30 years. The timing on them can not be adjusted so depending on the length of the track will depend on how long the train stops for at the end. I have one in my collection.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: playmofire on April 07, 2019, 19:29:24
Here is a little video of the shuttle in use.  The pause time on this video is brief, but it seems to have settled with further use at about 17-19sec at each end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=335XckJJ_jQ

Now, if at each end you have a set of points, it is possible to have the train run on one route left to right and back on another route right to left.  You can put in curves and straights as you wish so long as at each end there is a terminus section with a split rail and diode o stop th e train.

I'll make a simple layout up in the next few days and video it to show what I mean.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: VicKlicktor on April 08, 2019, 04:52:03


P.s.: If the manual is still included in the box, you can help me with scans from it. Than I can add it to the list of old train manuals for other Playmobil train fans (I translate them to PDF files).

Unfortunately, I do not have this set :uhoh: but maybe playmofire or Walts still keep instructions


I'll make a simple layout up in the next few days and video it to show what I mean.

Thanks, it will be great!!!

In my opinion, this option would have fitted very well for a tram if Playmobil had released one, or even better, something like a San Francisco cable car.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: playmofire on April 09, 2019, 18:39:49
As promised, here is a short video of an end-to-end-round-and-round layout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUB0Oi_7OAQ

The track's a bit bumpy and uneven and is quite steep running left to right, hence the rush of the train to the right hand buffers which exaggerates the sudden stop of the Playmobil shuttle.  At lower speeds, such as you would have on a country branchline, the sudden stop is not so noticeable.  Putting as couple of diodes on rails before the split rail would slow the train a bit more and give an effect of gradual braking.

I'm not sure how far you could extend a layout of this sort before you might reach the point where the electronics would stop the train before it reached the terminus.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: Tiermann on April 10, 2019, 16:46:55
Great video Gordon, thanks!
 I think I need to get one of these some time. It would be interesting to swap out the motor for the express passenger trains and use it with this sort of device for point to point passenger traffic. I too wonder about possible distances.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: playmofire on April 10, 2019, 18:15:24
Great video Gordon, thanks!
 I think I need to get one of these some time. It would be interesting to swap out the motor for the express passenger trains and use it with this sort of device for point to point passenger traffic. I too wonder about possible distances.
Thank you, Tim.

You've lost me over swapping the motors.  What do you have in  mind?

I think as regards distance, I think the limit may be as much one of the time taken to travel from one end to the other as the actual physical distance.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: Tiermann on April 10, 2019, 21:55:21
I mean taking out the remote control battery motor and inserting a track power driven engine block. I know it's not as simple as that sounds, but I remember Quinn converted the red RC locomotive to track powered for his show layout and it looked great. Would be nice with the 4011/4016/4018 style double ended passenger train on a reversing track like this.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: playmofire on April 11, 2019, 08:18:12
I mean taking out the remote control battery motor and inserting a track power driven engine block. I know it's not as simple as that sounds, but I remember Quinn converted the red RC locomotive to track powered for his show layout and it looked great. Would be nice with the 4011/4016/4018 style double ended passenger train on a reversing track like this.

I'm with you now and a good idea.

I think all you need do is take the R/C block out and put the track-powered one in, holding it in place with heavy duty double-sided tape.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: VicKlicktor on April 11, 2019, 21:02:45

As promised, here is a short video of an end-to-end-round-and-round layout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUB0Oi_7OAQ


Thanks so much for sharing such illuminating video.
So, as Walts says, if this item was only issued to shops I think it will be easier to get the LGB version
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: playmofire on April 12, 2019, 02:16:30
Thanks so much for sharing such illuminating video.
So, as Walts says, if this item was only issued to shops I think it will be easier to get the LGB version

Thank you.

The LGB version will certainly be easier to find.  I bought the insides of the LGB version, that i without the buffers, for £12.50 off eBay recently.  There are, btw, two versions by LGB and the newer one offers more flexibility but is fiddly to set up in the option with most choice, and not helped by the fact that LGB issued an incorrect set of instructions initially!
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: Walts-Trains on April 17, 2019, 09:59:01
Managed to find this drawing of the Playmobil shuttle unit.
I do not know how it will come out on the forum. If it is bad I will redraw it.
Title: Re: 7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism
Post by: Junker Jörg on May 23, 2019, 08:31:58
Du kannst mit dem Modul beides bauen: Eine automatische Pendelstrecke mit und ohne Wendeschleife. Für die Wendeschleife brauchst du allerdings noch weitere Isolatoren für beide Schienen, die nicht mit zum Set gehören.

This shuttle unit can make trains run on an end-to-end track both with or without a loop at one or both ends. Though a loop requires an additional circuit breaker on both rails not enclosed.

jj: