What do you use as a Buffer Stop?

[JJ73]

Hey all

What happens If you don't have a 'Buffer Stop' - Well there is a YouTuber called Oscar Paisley, who uses / has a Clothes peg as a 'Buffer' - well that gave me an idea for a video :- James Streater433 (@jimyjames73) | TikTok - well what do you use as a 'Buffer' then??? 🤔🚂

[What About The Bee]

Oscar has a wonderful layout JJ!

Worthy of watching and always something marvelous. Recommended

Bee

[Barry-350851]

Hornby buffer stops might not be the last word in terms or realism, but they are certainly effective at stopping a run-away train. I use them in non-scenic areas for that reason.

[Bulleidboy]

Almost all of my buffer stops are the Peco SL-40. They are very realistic and cost about £2.50. Many of mine have a working lamp mounted on the beam - these are available for about £6.50.

[JJ73]

Yes Bee - I've been following him on YT for a few yrs now!!! 😉🚂

[Stubaggieboy]

Here’s a novel idea why not use a buffer stop!!!!

[gilbo2]

ditto, I used the Peco SL-40 (cost and realism).

Once you have had a runaway fall off the table, you want something installed that you can trust!

[Gordonvale]

A diode across an IRJ is a sensible way to stop a loco without it getting damaged.

[threelink]

Or a simple cut in the track to create a dead section near the buffer stop

[Topcat2018]

@TH

Don't forget that if you are using DCC and create a dead section by cutting the track you will need a switch to bridge the cut so you can reverse the loco out again. If you are using analogue you can simply bridge the cut with a diode so that when the supply polarity is reversed current will flow through the diode.

[threelink]

Good point, Topcat

[gilbo2]

The other DCC disadvantage with cut rails is if you have a number of programs without loco detection. To get timings right I often gently run up against the buffer to effectively reset the loco positions, so you need to avoid dead sections.

Brilliant idea though for analogue, never thought of that wink.

[ntpntpntp]

For DC the rail-gap and diode method has been used for many decades.

Simple automatic end-to-end shuttle unit designs rely on this method to stop the loco while the timer completes a cycle until it then reverses the polarity. More complex shuttles use some form of detector to sense when the loco reaches the end - reed switches, infra-red detectors etc. I use IR detectors with my shuttle system.

[Barry-350851]

Just be careful if your loco is pushing from the rear and your dead section is shorter than the whole train. Still worth having buffer stops, in my opinion.

[ModelerXYZ]

I use Hornby buffer stops, but i usually secure them in position with superglue so that they don't move when a train hits them,

XYZ

[Buz]

Hi all

I use the older Hornby system six buffer stops, Hornby Dublo illuminated hydraulic buffer stops that have been wired to light up as soon as the layout is powered up. Peco set track and streamline buffer stops. I have used a piece of rail insulated and soldered across the track a wood screw that has a pile of acrylic modelling paste for a dirt pile, sleepers and a stop sign.

Wheel stops at the end of the track super glued and painted bright orange or yellow as per the prototype.

A case of whatever suits what I am doing at the time and will stop anything going off the end of the track.

For temporary I don't have one use, I use a block of wood and a wood screw to hold it in place until I have one. I then fill in the hole and scenic over it when I have a suitable buffer stop or more track to continue the line to where it is going.

I also run analogue so DCC doesn't even figure into the consideration

where needed eg:- passenger terminals close to the edge of the known world I also cut a rail and put a diode across it to stop the train but still allow it to reverse I would rather not see the station building and train go to oblivion.

regards John