Dedicated Test Track

  After working on the speedometer inner workings for the end of 2017 and spring of 2018, it become evident that once the readings of the speedometer were post-processed, any formulas found for the distance would have to be tested on real track. There are a number of reasons this is so:

• Difference between rolling stands and real track - running on real track could provide slightly different results than the ones obtained from a roller stand
• Effect on load - on a rolling stand the effect of pulling a load (eg multiple cars) cannot be studied. But on real track this can be easily seen
• Value-collection differences for speedometer - the process of obtaining the data from the speedometers might be affected by several factors (eg wheel slippage against the speedometer) that could affect the outcome itself - the formulas. The real track would have to validate the formulas obtained as such

Using a section of the model layout, as done previously, is not the best way of moving forward. Repeatability of tests is not easily achievable on a section of the layout itself, nor can specific detectors be mounted at particular intervals. A dedicated test track becomes mandatory. Which entails building a series of boards in order to support that length of track.

  Initial thought went into how this test layout should look like, in order to support measuring the stopping distance automatically between runs. The end result involved a length of about 3m, and a width of a bit over 1m. Since this length cannot be accommodated by a single board - since it will become impossible to move this ever, nor would the current space permit it - the whole structure would have to be built in sections, that can be assembled together and disassembled for storing.

  Realizing I had practically no tools for doing any precision woodworking in the current place I live in, in the beginning of June this year I went ahead and purchased a column drill press - the Bosch PBD 40. This was followed at the end of the month by a table saw - Bosch PTS 10 (the link is in German, couldn't find one in English). I quickly discovered that the PBD 40 - although can be rotated so that it drills into longer pieces of wood - needs a sturdy base. What was purchased next ? The next post will detail it.